When to sow French marigold? An introduction to sowing times

French marigold can be sown in all four seasons. As mentioned earlier, French marigold is a plant with strong environmental adaptability, so in theory it can be sown all year round, but in different regions the best sowing time is also different. To improve the germination rate, the growing temperature for French marigold is best kept at 18°C, so based on 18°C, the sowing times in different regions are as follows: in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, autumn sowing is generally best; in the south, sowing in all four seasons is suitable; in the north, spring sowing is popular.

Does such an adaptable plant make your heart flutter, and do you also want to grow a few French marigolds at home? But how do you grow French marigold? Below, the editor will walk you through it.

How to sow French marigold seeds, and when to sow French marigold

At first hearing the name French marigold, one might think it is a herbaceous plant that looks like a peacock, but actually it is not. It is an annual herbaceous flower of the Asteraceae family. Its flower colors are not as brilliantly colorful as other flowers, but are somewhat on the darker side, which is also one of its characteristics. Below, let's see how it is grown.

How to sow French marigold seeds

1. First choose a box, pot, or other container, fill the container with sandy soil, and create a loose and comfortable germination environment for the seeds.

2. Then scatter the seeds on the soil layer, and cover with a layer of straw, keeping the seeds in contact with the soil as much as possible.

3. Next, use a watering can to sprinkle water on the straw used as cover, letting the water slowly drip through the straw and soak into the soil.

4. Finally, wait quietly for the seeds to germinate. Only after the seeds sprout and emerge can the straw be lifted off.

When to sow French marigold

There are many varieties of French marigold, and different French marigolds have different planting times. The spring-autumn sowing series of French marigold is roughly from September to February, and in southern regions it can be sown when the daytime temperature is above 15°C, while the Jenny series is most suitable for summer sowing from March to August. There are also some other French marigolds whose sowing times differ somewhat. When buying seeds, you can ask the merchant.

The uses of French marigold

1. Landscape ornamental value. French marigold has brilliant flower colors and many colors, including yellow, orange, red, and more, as well as many forms such as double-petaled. Single-layer French marigold is delicate and graceful, while double-petaled French marigold appears more grand and beautiful. Because its flowers are attractive, it is often used as a decorative flower for flower beds, and French marigold is also commonly seen on lawns. Many people may not know what it is called, but you have surely seen its appearance in parks and along roads! In addition, French marigold is also one of the commonly used types in flower arranging and bouquets.

2. Medicinal value

Both the flowers and leaves of French marigold can be used as medicine, and it has the effects of clearing heat and detoxifying, resolving phlegm, and nourishing the blood. It has relatively notable effects on treating common conditions such as colds, whooping cough, and bronchitis. In the wild, French marigold is suitable for mountains at higher altitudes. Residents of the Caucasus Mountains region in Russia often eat French marigold, and it is said to have the effect of prolonging life.

Common diseases of French marigold and their control

1. Its common diseases are mainly brown spot disease, powdery mildew, and stem blight, among which stem blight is the most common, mainly harming the stems and leaves of French marigold. In the early stage of the disease, rash-like raised spots appear on the plant stems, gray in color, spindle-shaped or round, and in the later stage the rash-like raised spots crack open. Stem blight also occurs from time to time during the growth period of French marigold, and in severe cases can cause the plant to wither and die.

Control method: First, carry out drainage promptly after rain to prevent moisture from lingering. Second, spray medicine in the early stage of the disease. You can choose specially prepared solutions of benomyl and cyclohexylim emulsion, chlorothalonil suspension concentrate, and Ludebao suspension concentrate. The spraying cycle is seven days, and spraying 2 to 3 times is enough.

2. Its common insect pests and their control. The common insect pest of French marigold is mainly red spider mite. Red spider mite pierces and sucks the stem and leaf sap, reducing moisture in the affected parts, causing dense pale small spots on the leaf surface, curling and yellowing of leaves, and in severe cases yellowing of the plant. Leaf curling, scorched leaves, leaf drop, and even death. Red spider mite is also a transmission vector of viral diseases.

Control method: Strengthen cultivation management. In the early stage of pest occurrence, 20% dicofol emulsion at 500 to 600 times dilution can be used for control.

In fact, French marigold does not rely only on its flowers to attract fans. In fact, every part of it is a treasure. It not only has a good ornamental effect, but even more advantageously has medicinal value and the effect of clearing heat and detoxifying. It is a favorite of veteran Chinese medicine practitioners. We must take good care of such a treasured plant and avoid pest damage to it.

How to grow French marigold, and precautions for cultivating French marigold

French marigold is a seasonal plant. Because its petals are brilliantly colored, its ornamental value is high, and its adaptability is very strong, it is very easy to keep alive, so it is very popular. Below, we will introduce the planting method of French marigold, as well as precautions for cultivating French marigold.

How to grow French marigold

It can be sown in all four seasons. Because sowing French marigold requires a temperature above 15°C (or heated insulation conditions), the sowing period in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River is generally from August to November. In the warm south, it can be sown all year round, while in the north, spring sowing is popular. If raising seedlings in early spring, care should be taken to ensure a certain growing temperature and try to avoid growth stagnation. For sowing, it is advisable to use a loose artificial medium, with bed sowing or box sowing for seedling raising, and if conditions permit, plug tray seedling raising can be used. After disinfection treatment, cover slightly after sowing. The suitable germination temperature for French marigold is 22 to 24°C.

(1) 2 to 5 days after sowing, the seeds whiten (the embryo bud becomes visible). French marigold seed germination does not require light, so usually after sowing, cover with a thin layer of medium. In this way, it can both shade light and maintain moisture in the early stage of seedling raising. Keep the medium moist, but prevent it from becoming too wet, and keep the temperature at 21 to 24°C.

(2) From the emergence of the radicle to the complete unfolding of the cotyledons takes about 7 days. Once the radicle emerges, lower the temperature, and water only after the medium is slightly dry, to facilitate better germination and root growth. Also provide light and apply a small amount of fertilizer.

(3) Rapid growth stage of seedlings. During the growth of French marigold seedlings, prevent excessively high humidity, so between two waterings let the medium dry out. Of course, do not let the medium become too dry and cause the seedlings to wither. The medium and ambient temperature can be appropriately lowered to 18°C. Fertilize alternately every 5 to 10 days. If the medium temperature is below 18°C, avoid applying ammonium nitrogen fertilizer. In the later part of this stage, the plant root system can grow to 3 to 5 cm, and the seedling height is also 3 to 4 cm, with 2 to 3 pairs of true leaves.

(4) Hardening-off stage. At this stage the root system has already formed well. With 3 pairs of true leaves, the temperature can be lowered to 15 to 17°C, but preferably not below 15°C. However, avoid using ammonium nitrogen fertilizer. As in (2), between two waterings let the medium dry out, and strengthen ventilation to prevent leggy growth. If seedling raising fails or there are problems, aside from possible seed quality issues, the main causes are: First, the pH value of the medium is too low. The main symptoms are necrotic spots on old leaves, scorched edges, and necrosis of the growing point. Second, a pH value below 6.0 can also cause excessive levels of certain trace elements such as magnesium, iron, sodium, and zinc. The main solution is: keep the pH value of the medium between 6.0 and 6.7, which can be adjusted by adding 0.4526 kg of lime to 38 kg of water; Third, raising seedlings at low temperature in early spring, if the temperature is too high, is prone to blight. It first appears as water-soaked areas at the stem base, then necrosis and lodging. Therefore, note that when raising seedlings in early spring, increase the temperature as much as possible and control humidity to prevent disease occurrence. Fourth, pay attention to nutrition during the seedling stage. If there is insufficient fertilizer and water during the seedling stage and the plant is thin and weak, small old seedlings will form.

Precautions for cultivating French marigold

1. Light regulation:

French marigold is a sun-loving plant. Both growth and flowering require ample sunlight, and sufficient light also helps prevent leggy growth. However, from July to September in our province, direct sunlight should be avoided, and shade and cooling are needed around noon.

2. Temperature control:

After potting, the temperature can be reduced from 22°C to 18°C, and after a few weeks it can be reduced to 15°C. Before and after flowering it can be as low as 12 to 14°C. This temperature is most ideal for forming a good plant shape, but in actual production it may be difficult to achieve this condition. Therefore, generally speaking, as long as it is above 5°C it will not suffer freeze damage, and it can grow well between 10°C and 30°C.

3. Water and fertilizer management:

The key to water management is to use a well-drained medium. Although keeping the medium moist is important, proper drying before each watering is necessary. Of course, do not let the medium become too dry and cause the plant to wither. For cultivation entirely with an artificial medium, fertilization should use 20-10-20 and 14-0-14 fertilizers, applied alternately once every 7 to 10 days at a concentration of 200 to 250 ppm. When the winter temperature is relatively low, reduce the use of 20-10-20 fertilizer. If the medium is ordinary soil, a compound fertilizer can be mixed in as a base fertilizer before potting the medium. If fertility is insufficient, then apply a water-soluble fertilizer as a top dressing.

4. Transplanting and potting:

For those raised in plug trays, transplant and pot when they grow to 2 to 3 pairs of true leaves. In the Zhejiang region, most people are accustomed to using 12 cm diameter nutrition pots, potting in place once and not repotting again. If using open seedling trays for broadcast sowing, sow thinly, and when there are 2-3 pairs of true leaves, directly transplant the seedlings into pots.

5. Disease and pest control:

Common problems of French marigold include powdery mildew, brown spot disease, red spider mite, stem blight, and other diseases.

1. Symptoms of powdery mildew and brown spot disease: Choose better soil, and during its growth period pay attention to its fertilization and watering conditions. Under certain circumstances, promptly remove diseased plants and diseased leaves, burn the diseased plants, and promptly spray fungicides such as Xiufenning.

2. Stem blight: In the early stage of the disease, gray rash-like raised spots appear on the stems, round or spindle-shaped, and later the raised spots split open, exposing black acervuli. It occurs from time to time during the growth period, and in severe cases the stems and branches die, the growth and development of the whole plant are inhibited, and the ornamental effect is affected. Control method: Drain promptly after rain, prevent moisture from lingering, and keep it dry. In the early stage of the disease, you can choose 25% benomyl and cyclohexyl zinc emulsion at 800 times dilution, 40% chlorothalonil suspension concentrate at 500 times dilution, and 30% Ludebao suspension concentrate at 400 times dilution. Spray once every 7 days, for a total of 2 to 3 times.

3. Red spider mite: Strengthen cultivation management, and in the early stage of pest occurrence, spray 20% dicofol emulsion at 500 to 600 times dilution for control.

The above is the introduction to the planting method of French marigold and precautions for cultivating French marigold. Is everyone clear now? For more home knowledge, please stay tuned.