How to sow French marigold? Detailed sowing method

French marigold can be sown all year round. However, due to the constraints of flower usage conditions, the demand for flowers is greatest for the two holidays of “May 1st” and National Day. Also, because sowing 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 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, a loose artificial medium should be used, with bed sowing or box sowing for seedling raising, and plug tray seedling raising can be used if conditions permit. After disinfection treatment, cover lightly after sowing. The suitable germination temperature for French marigold is 22-24°C.

(1) The first stage: 2-5 days after sowing, the seeds sprout (the embryo becomes visible). French marigold seeds do not need light to germinate. Usually after sowing, a thin layer of medium is covered, which can both block light and maintain moisture in the early stage of seedling raising. Keep the medium moist, but prevent it from becoming too wet, and maintain the temperature at 21-24°C.

(2) The second stage: from the emergence of the radicle to the full expansion of the cotyledons, about 7 days. Once the radicle emerges, the temperature should be lowered, and watering should be done only after the medium is slightly dry to facilitate better germination and root growth. Provide light and apply a small amount of fertilizer.

(3) The third stage: the rapid growth period of the seedlings. During the growth of French marigold seedlings, high humidity should be prevented, so the medium should be allowed to dry thoroughly between two waterings. Of course, the medium should not be allowed to become too dry and cause the young seedlings to wilt. The medium and ambient temperature can be appropriately lowered to 18°C. Apply fertilizer alternately every 5-10 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 3-5 cm, and the seedling height can also reach 3-4 cm, with 2-3 pairs of true leaves.

(4) The fourth stage: the hardening-off period. At this stage, the root system has already formed well. With 3 pairs of true leaves, the temperature can be lowered to 15-17°C, but it is best not to go below 15°C. However, avoid using ammonium nitrogen fertilizer. As in the second stage, the medium should be allowed to dry thoroughly between two waterings, and ventilation should be strengthened to prevent leggy growth. If seedling raising fails or there are problems, after ruling out possible seed quality issues, the main causes are: first, the pH value of the medium is too low, with the main symptoms being necrotic spots on old leaves, scorched edges, and necrosis of the growing point. Second, a pH value below 6.0 can also cause excess amounts of certain trace elements such as magnesium, iron, sodium, and zinc. The main solution is: keep the pH value of the medium between 6.0-6.7, and it 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 phytophthora blight. It initially appears as water-soaked lesions at the base of the stem, followed by necrosis and lodging. Therefore, attention should be paid to raising the temperature as much as possible and controlling humidity when raising seedlings in early spring to prevent disease. Fourth, pay attention to nutrition during the seedling stage. If there is a lack of fertilizer or water during the seedling stage and the plants are thin and weak, small old seedlings will form.

How to grow French marigold

1. Seedling stage

French marigold itself is very easy to grow, but during the seedling stage, moth larvae may chew on the leaf surface. If found, deal with it promptly by spraying pesticide.

2. Watering

When watering French marigold, be careful not to let water accumulate. Water thoroughly each time, and keeping the soil moist but slightly dry is enough. Do not let it become too wet, otherwise it will affect the growth of French marigold.

3. Medium treatment

Generally, it is best to choose loose and fertile sandy soil as the medium, and after the medium is selected, it should be disinfected to remove pests and diseases.

4. Temperature

Although French marigold has strong adaptability and can survive indoors, sufficient sunlight can make them bloom more beautifully. The temperature is best at 18°C. In winter, attention should be paid to keeping them warm below 6°C to prevent the plants from freezing to death.

As long as you prune the branches and leaves promptly and apply fertilizer in appropriate amounts, you can grow beautiful French marigold. French marigold also has the effect of purifying the air. It is a natural air purifier. Placing it at home can purify the air. What are you still waiting for? Plant it together now.

How to grow French marigold

French marigold, also known as small marigold, red and yellow flower, xi fan ju, stinky chrysanthemum, satin flower, etc., is an annual herbaceous plant of the genus Tagetes in the Asteraceae family. It is native to Mexico. It is often cultivated in gardens across China, and has become naturalized in central and northwestern Yunnan, central and southwestern Sichuan, and western Guizhou. Now let us take a look at how to grow French marigold!

Growth habits of French marigold

French marigold grows on mountain slopes and grasslands at an altitude of 750-1600 m, in forests, or is cultivated in gardens. It likes sunlight, but can also bloom when planted in semi-shade. It has no strict requirements for soil, tolerates transplanting, grows rapidly, and is very easy to cultivate and manage. Seeds that fall on the ground can grow on their own under suitable temperature and humidity conditions. It is a flower with very strong adaptability.

Propagation methods of French marigold

1. Seed propagation: French marigold seed propagation is carried out from November to March. Sowings in winter and spring bloom from March to May. Sowing can be done directly in the courtyard or in pots. For pot cultivation, about 1 month after sowing, the seedlings can be dug out and planted in pots for final planting.

2. Cutting propagation: For French marigold cutting propagation, from June to August, cut tender branches about 10 cm long and insert them directly into the courtyard, with shading and covering. They grow rapidly, and can also be inserted directly into flower pots. Cuttings made in summer and autumn bloom from August to December. Whether inserted in the ground or in a cutting bed (pot), the cuttings can survive.

How to grow French marigold

1. Transplanting and potting: French marigold raised in plug trays should be transplanted into pots when it has grown to 2-3 pairs of true leaves. In Zhejiang, most people are accustomed to using 12 cm diameter nutrient pots, planting in the final pot in one step without another repotting. If sowing and raising seedlings in open seedling trays by broadcasting, then sow thinly, and when there are 2-3 pairs of true leaves, directly transplant the seedlings into pots.

2. Light regulation: French marigold is a sun-loving plant. Both growth and flowering require sufficient sunlight, and sufficient light also helps prevent leggy growth. However, in our province from July to September, direct sunlight should be avoided, and shading and cooling should be provided around noon.

3. Temperature control: After French marigold is potted, the temperature can be reduced from 22°C to 18°C. After a few weeks, it can be reduced to 15°C, and before and after flowering it can be as low as 12-14°C. This temperature is most ideal for forming a good plant shape, but in actual production it may be difficult to achieve these conditions. Therefore, generally speaking, as long as it is above 5°C, it will not suffer frost damage, and it can grow well between 10-30°C.

4. Water management: The key to water management for French marigold is to use a well-drained medium. Although keeping the medium moist is important, proper drying before each watering is necessary. Of course, the medium should not be allowed to become too dry and cause the plant to wilt.

5. Fertilization method: For French marigold cultivated entirely with artificial medium, fertilization should use 20-10-20 and 14-0-14 fertilizers, applied alternately once every 7-10 days at a concentration of 200-250 ppm. When the temperature is lower in winter, reduce the amount of 20-10-20 fertilizer used. If the medium is ordinary soil, then compound fertilizer can be mixed in appropriately as base fertilizer before potting the medium. If the fertility is insufficient, then topdress with water-soluble fertilizer.

6. Pest and disease control: Common diseases of French marigold include brown spot and powdery mildew, which are fungal diseases. A good site should be selected for cultivation, and attention should be paid to drainage and irrigation, removing diseased plants and leaves, burning residual branches, and promptly spraying fungicides such as Xiufenning.