What are the methods for selecting and raising French marigold seeds?
French marigold, also known as dwarf marigold, red-yellow marigold, Spanish marigold, etc., blooms yellow, is often planted on hillsides and in grasslands, and has high medicinal value and ornamental value. If you want to plant French marigold, then how do you select French marigold seeds? What are the seedling-raising methods? Let's learn about them together below.
How do you select French marigold seeds?
First is to judge whether the seeds are mature. Generally, mature seeds are blackish brown, linear, with light yellow crowns at both ends, and small seeds; such seeds have a relatively high germination rate. Second is seed price. French marigold seeds cost 350 to 450 yuan per jin, which is a relatively high price, but you should know that this flower has high ornamental value and also has certain medicinal value, so this price is also very worthwhile. Finally is choosing the purchase channel. You can buy from local seed shops, flower and nursery stock markets, or online. It is recommended to buy in physical stores, because you can see the seeds very clearly, and after-sales service is also more guaranteed.
What are the seedling-raising methods for French marigold?
1. Sowing time
The flowering period of French marigold is from March to May and from August to December. From sowing to flowering takes only 70 days. For early spring seedling raising in a greenhouse, no heating is needed, and after the late frost it can be planted in courtyards, flowerbeds, or pots. Also, because the sowing of French marigold requires a temperature above 15°C (or heating and insulation conditions), the sowing period in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River is generally from November to August. In the warm south, it can be sown all year round; in the north, spring sowing is popular.
2. Seedling-raising methods
If raising seedlings in early spring, attention should be paid to ensuring a certain growth temperature and trying to avoid growth stagnation. For sowing, a relatively loose artificial medium should be used. Seedlings can be raised by bed sowing or box sowing, and if conditions permit, plug tray seedling raising can be used. The medium requires a pH value of 6.0 to 6.2 (slightly higher than other varieties), an EC value <0.75, and disinfection treatment. After sowing, cover lightly with vermiculite. The suitable germination temperature for French marigold is 22 to 24°C, and germination takes 5-8 days.
3. Sowing method
French marigold seeds do not need light to germinate. Usually after sowing, cover with a thin layer of medium. It is recommended to use coarse vermiculite, because in this way it can both block light and keep the medium moist in the early seedling stage. Keep the medium moist, but prevent it from being too wet, and keep the temperature at 22 to 26°C.
4. Seedling stage management
The growth of French marigold seedlings should be prevented from excessive humidity, so between two waterings the medium should be allowed to dry out, though of course the medium must not be allowed to become so dry that the young seedlings wither. Keep the medium pH value at 6.0 to 6.2, EC value <1.0, and the medium and ambient temperature can be appropriately lowered to 18°C. Every 5 to 10 days, alternately apply 100 to 150 ppm of 20-10-20 and 14-0-14 water-soluble fertilizer. If the medium temperature is below 18°C, avoid applying ammonium nitrate.
5. Seedling-raising precautions
When raising seedlings at low temperature in early spring, if humidity is too high, blight is likely to occur. It first appears as water-soaked areas at the base of the stem, then necrosis and lodging. Therefore, note that in early spring seedling raising, temperature should be increased as much as possible and humidity should be controlled to prevent disease. Pay attention to nutrition during the seedling stage. If fertilizer is lacking during the seedling stage, the plant will be thin and weak, and small old seedlings will form - that is, the phenomenon of plants flowering during the seedling stage caused by lack of fertilizer. Such seedlings often cannot be sold because they cannot form a good plant shape, causing losses.
French marigold is mostly used for greening streets and flowerbeds as well as in gardens for people to enjoy. French marigold has bright colors and is a manifestation of vitality. French marigold is a very common flower nowadays, and it is very easy to grow, so many people keep it in their own homes.
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