A Detailed Guide to Calendula Planting Conditions and Cultivation Management Techniques
Calendula, also known as everlasting chrysanthemum, pot marigold, evergreen 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 from abroad after the 18th century. After the 1980s, with the introduction of double-flowered, large-flowered and dwarf calendula varieties, the cultivation research, development and utilization of calendula in our country developed rapidly. The calendula plant is dwarf, with dense flowers, brilliant and eye-catching colors, and a long flowering period. It is mostly used as a bedding material for flower beds, flower borders and flower mirrors, and can also be used as an edging plant for lawns. It is the most common herbaceous flower 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 originated in southern Europe and along 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 10°C is suitable for the growth of mature plants. If the temperature is too low, film protection is needed, otherwise the leaves are prone to frost damage. When the winter temperature is above 10°C, calendula will grow leggy. When the summer temperature rises, the stems and leaves grow vigorously, the flowers become smaller, and the petals decrease significantly.
2. Humidity: For calendula seedlings, slightly moist conditions are better, which is beneficial to stem and leaf growth and improves cold resistance in winter. For mature calendula plants, slightly dry conditions are suitable, which can control stem and leaf growth and avoid leggy 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 raising in cold frames or greenhouse cultivation, sufficient sunlight is needed. This is very beneficial to stem and leaf growth, and the 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 potting soil is suitable. A soil pH of 6-7 is best. The plant 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. It is often sown in autumn or in early spring in greenhouses (or cold frames). In the south, it can be sown 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 passing the summer in cool places, and flowering again between September and October. Autumn sowing is also possible. After sowing, the young seedlings are moved into cold frames from late September to early October to overwinter, and moved outdoors for cultivation in the spring of the next year; or they can be grown in pots and moved into a low-temperature greenhouse during frost to force flowering, maintaining 8-10°C, to supply flowers in winter.
Seedling Raising Techniques for 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 cold frame seedling raising, mostly small arched sheds. Choose a wind-sheltered and sunny seedbed, 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 should preferably be about 60cm. For the film, it is best to choose a drip-free film with good warming and heat preservation performance.
3. Land selection and bed preparation: Choose fertile, loose and well-drained sandy loam or potting 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 decomposed high-quality farmyard manure, 12kg of urea, 5kg of potassium sulfate, 70kg of phosphate fertilizer, and 30kg of fine sand, mix thoroughly, spread on the surface, 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 them, rinse once with clean water, drain the water, and then sow. To prevent seedling-stage diseases, seed dressing with thiophanate-methyl or chlorothalonil can be used.
5. Sowing: Sowing should be done 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 with fine sandy soil, then spread them onto the seedbed in 2-3 passes. 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 burning the seedlings 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 leggy growth. Keep the temperature in the seedbed at 25-27°C. Ventilation should be done at 8-9 a.m., not at noon when the temperature is high, so as to avoid seedling damage. If there are strong winds and cooling weather, stop ventilation. When the average outdoor temperature stabilizes above 12°C, choose a clear and windless day, uncover the film, and remove weeds in the seedbed. If there is a lack of water, spray thoroughly once, cover the film well, and enlarge the ventilation openings. Do not water the seedbed too frequently; it is suitable to keep the bed soil alternately dry and moist. When the outdoor temperature stabilizes at 15°C, the film should be uncovered to harden the seedlings. About 7d before transplanting, stop watering and carry out seedling conditioning before transplanting, in preparation for transplanting.
Transplanting Methods for Calendula
When calendula seedlings grow 3-4 true leaves, transplant once. Use wide and narrow row planting, with large rows 70cm apart, small rows 50cm apart, and plant spacing 25cm. Keep 4500 plants per 667 sq m, planting by size in separate rows. Use plastic film mulching to increase soil temperature and promote earlier flower maturity.
After transplanting calendula, irrigate heavily to promote early recovery and early rooting. When the seedlings have 5-6 true leaves, plant them in 10-12cm pots, or apply them in garden landscapes according to use. In addition, after the seedling hardening period, they can also be directly transplanted into pots.
Calendula generally uses 12-13cm diameter nutrition pots, potted in place in one step, without repotting again. If broadcast sowing is used for seedling raising, it is best to transplant the seedlings once into 128 or 288 plug trays at the 1-2 true leaf stage, and then pot them.
Later Management of Calendula Cultivation
1. Intertillage and earthing up: After transplanting, shallow hoeing should be done to preserve moisture. When the plants are 25-30cm high and a few branches appear, take soil from the furrows and bank it around the base of the plants to promote adventitious roots, prevent lodging, and at the same time inhibit the growth of weeds under the film.
2. Watering: After earthing up, water according to soil moisture conditions. The amount of water each time should not be too large; do not flood the ridges. Keep the soil alternately dry and moist.
3. Foliar fertilization: Carry out foliar fertilization when the flowers are in full bloom. The spraying time is best after 6 p.m. Spray 0.03kg of urea and 0.03kg of monopotassium phosphate per 667 sq m. Or alternately apply soluble flower fertilizers of 20-10-20 and 14-0-14, once every 7-10d, at a concentration of 200×10E-6 to 250×10E-6.
Pest and Disease Control of Calendula
In greenhouse cultivation of calendula, due to poor ventilation and high humidity, gray leaf spot, gray mold, fusarium wilt and downy mildew often occur. They can be controlled by spraying 65% zineb, or 50% carbendazim, or 75% chlorothalonil wettable powder at 700 times dilution.
When the temperature rises in early summer, calendula leaves often suffer from rust. Spray 50% carboxin wettable powder at 2000 times dilution.
During the flowering period in early spring, it is susceptible to damage by red spiders, tobacco thrips and aphids. Spray with 40% omethoate emulsifiable concentrate at 1000 times dilution or 20% fenvalerate at 2500 times dilution.
How to Grow African Daisies: An Introduction to African Daisies
How to Grow African Daisies
African daisies are annual flowering plants. They are drought-tolerant and cold-resistant, and can be said to be easy-to-grow and easy-to-enjoy ornamental flowering plants.
African daisies originate from the naturally rich South Africa. The most primitive African daisies only bloom in places with sufficient sunlight, and in shady places they close their petals.
Later, after improvement, African daisies had a longer flowering period and more colorful hues, such as white, violet, pink, red, and warm tones such as orange.
How to grow African daisies?
African daisies have strong vitality and are very easy to grow. They like sunny and airy places, but dislike excessive water, which will cause root rot. So choose a sunny place and well-drained soil, and you will see African daisies swaying in the wind thanking you!!
After the coldest winter has passed, you can move African daisies outdoors, or start sowing them in the garden, and then sprinkle an appropriate amount of water regularly. When your African daisies grow to a certain height, you can cut them to decorate your home.
After the growth period ends, take the seeds directly from the calyx, select, clean and store excellent seeds, prevent the seeds from becoming moldy, and when the next sowing season arrives, you can still continue to enjoy African daisies.
Pest and Disease Problems of African Daisies
Although African daisies have very tenacious vitality and can tolerate various growing conditions, they are also very susceptible to fungal attack. Plenty of sunlight and good air circulation are essential for health, especially in areas prone to humidity, where special attention is needed.
In addition, African daisies are also very prone to aphids. The best solution is to plant some calendula nearby. Calendula, also an annual flower, has a scent that can repel aphids and protect your African daisies throughout the entire growing season.
Varieties of African Daisies
§ 'African Blue Eyed Daisy' is a very cute variety. Its stems are relatively thick and strong, making it the best choice for cuttings. It can grow to about 50cm high, and the plant diameter can also reach 55cm.
§ 'Harlequin Mix' is a common variety in yellow and white, with flower diameter of about 7-10cm. For containers, it is recommended to choose ones about 35 high and 45cm wide.
July 15 Birthday Flower: Calendula - Calendula Flower Language
July 15 Birthday Flower: Calendula
July 15 Birthday Flower:Calendula
Flower of Saint Swithin, Bishop of Winchester
Since ancient times, Christianity has had the habit of linking saints with specific flowers. This followed from the fact that when the church commemorated saints, it often decorated the altar with blooming flowers! In the Catholic monasteries of the Middle Ages, various flowers were planted almost like in a gardening center. Over time, the church combined the 366 days' saints with different flowers respectively, forming the so-called flower calendar. At that time, most monasteries were located in Southern Europe, and Southern Europe has a Mediterranean climate, which is extremely suitable for planting flowers and plants. Calendula is the flower chosen to commemorate the Bishop of Winchester - Saint Swithin. It belongs to the Asteraceae or daisy family, originated in Southern Europe, and is an improved variety of small wild calendula.
July 15 Birthday Flower - Calendula Flower Language:Meticulous
Calendula also has another alias, called "the housewife's clock." Because this plant opens its flowers at a certain time in the morning and then closes them at a certain time in the evening, it is a rather punctual flower. Therefore its flower language is "meticulous." People born under the blessing of this flower have a rigorous and meticulous personality. However, an overly rigid personality will make it impossible to tolerate opposite-sex friends being late for dates, so romances mostly cannot last long. diyju.com