The Latest Calendula Planting Techniques and Methods Tutorial

Calendula, also known as evergreen chrysanthemum, pot marigold, everlasting chrysanthemum, golden cup, etc., is a herbaceous flower of the genus Calendula in the Asteraceae family. It originated in Europe and was introduced to our country after the 18th century. After the 1980s, with the introduction of double-flowered, large-flowered and dwarf calendula, our country's cultivation research and development and utilization of calendula developed rapidly. Calendula plants are dwarf, with dense flowers, brilliant and eye-catching colors, and a long flowering period. They are mostly used as bedding materials for flower beds, flower borders and flower mirrors, and can also be used as edging plants for lawns. They are the most common herbaceous flowers in early spring gardens and cities. In addition, calendula also has extremely high medicinal and economic value. Let us take a look at the planting techniques of calendula together below!

Growth Habits of Calendula

Calendula is native to southern Europe and the Mediterranean coast. It is cold-resistant, afraid of heat, and likes a sunny and well-lit environment.

1. Temperature: The suitable growth temperature for calendula is 7-20°C. Seedlings can withstand a low temperature of -9°C in winter, and the suitable temperature for grown plants is 10°C. If the temperature is too low, film protection is needed, otherwise the leaves are prone to freezing damage. When the winter temperature is above 10°C, calendula will grow excessively. When the summer temperature rises, the stems and leaves grow vigorously, the flowers become smaller, and the petals decrease significantly.

2. Humidity: Calendula seedlings prefer slightly moist conditions, which is conducive to stem and leaf growth and improves cold resistance in winter. Grown calendula plants prefer slightly dry conditions, which can control stem and leaf growth and avoid excessive growth. For indoor or greenhouse cultivation, the air humidity should not be too high, otherwise it is prone to disease. Ventilation should be strengthened to regulate indoor humidity.

3. Light: Calendula likes sufficient sunlight. Especially for seedbed seedling raising or greenhouse cultivation, sufficient sunlight is needed, which is very beneficial to stem and leaf growth, and makes seedlings grow short, sturdy and neat. If there are too many rainy and snowy days and insufficient light, the basal leaves are prone to yellowing, and even the roots may rot and die.

4. Soil: Fertile, loose and well-drained sandy loam or culture soil is suitable. Soil pH is best at 6-7, and plants will have more branches and produce larger and more numerous flowers.

Propagation Methods of Calendula

Calendula is mainly propagated by sowing, and can also be propagated by cuttings. Autumn sowing or early spring sowing in greenhouses (or sunny seedbeds) is often carried out. In the south, sowing can be done in multiple periods in one year, but autumn sowing is the main method. Calendula has strong adaptability and can overwinter in the open field. When sowing in summer, attention should be paid to shading and heat prevention. In the north, spring sowing is mostly used, generally carried out in April-May, flowering in early summer, safely overwintering in cool places, and blooming again from September to October. Autumn sowing can also be used. After sowing, the young seedlings are moved into cold beds from late September to early October to overwinter, and moved outdoors for cultivation in the second spring; or cultivated in pots, moved into a low-temperature greenhouse during frost to force flowering, maintaining 8-10°C, and providing flowers in winter.

Seedling Raising Techniques of Calendula

1. Time: The seedling raising time can be determined according to the transplanting time. Generally, seedlings are raised about 50d before transplanting.

2. Seedling raising method: Use greenhouse or sunny seedbed seedling raising, mostly small arched sheds. The seedbed should be selected to be sheltered from the wind and facing the sun, preferably running east-west. The width and length of the seedbed should be suitable for the size of the film and convenient management. Generally, the width should not exceed 1.3m. The height of the arched shed is preferably about 60cm. The film is best selected as a non-drip film with good temperature-raising and heat-preserving performance.

3. Land selection and bed preparation: Choose fertile, loose and well-drained sandy loam or culture soil. Harrow to a depth of 20-25cm, so that the surface soil is soft and fine, and the field surface is level. For each 667 sq m of seedbed, apply 4000kg of fully decomposed high-quality farmyard manure, 12kg of urea, 5kg of potassium sulfate, 70kg of phosphate fertilizer, and mix with 30kg of fine sand, mix thoroughly and spread on the surface, then turn into the plot, then harrow finely and level.

4. Seed treatment: First select the seeds, remove impurities and shriveled seeds, and ensure the seeds are plump. Then sun-dry the seeds to kill pathogens, enhance seed vigor, and increase the germination rate. Before sowing, soak the seeds in warm water at 35-40°C for 3-4h, remove and rinse once with clean water, drain the water, and then sow. To prevent seedling-stage diseases, use thiophanate-methyl or chlorothalonil for chemical seed dressing.

5. Sowing: Sowing should be carried out on a windless, sunny day. On the day of sowing, irrigate the seedbed thoroughly, and sow after the water seeps down. Use the broadcast sowing method. First mix the treated seeds into fine sandy soil, spread them on the seedbed in 2-3 batches, and do not sow too densely. After sowing, cover with sieved soil 0.7-1cm.

6. Seedbed management: The suitable germination temperature is 20-22°C. Generally, seedlings emerge completely 6-7d after sowing. After the seedlings emerge completely, note that the temperature in the seedbed must not exceed 30°C, so as to avoid seedling scorching and root rot. When the seedlings grow to about 3cm and the first pair of true leaves unfolds, attention should be paid to ventilation to prevent excessive growth. Keep the temperature in the seedbed at 25-27°C. Ventilation time should be at 8-9 a.m., and ventilation should not be carried out at noon when the temperature is high, so as to avoid seedling damage. If there is windy and cooling weather, stop ventilation. When the outdoor average temperature is stable above 12°C, choose a sunny and windless day, uncover the film, and remove weeds in the seedbed. If there is a lack of water, spray once thoroughly, and cover the film well, enlarge the ventilation opening. Do not water the seedbed too frequently, and keep the bed soil alternately dry and moist. When the outdoor temperature is stable at 15°C, uncover the film to harden the seedlings. Stop watering about 7d before transplanting, and carry out seedling hardening before transplanting in preparation for transplanting.