Calendula Seed Planting Methods, Benefits, and Blooming Time
Calendula, also known as pot marigold, loves sunlight and is not demanding about soil. It grows well in dry, loose, fertile alkaline soil and tolerates poor soil. It is often used for flowerbed displays, and people very much like to grow it. So do you know what the seed planting methods for calendula are? What benefits and effects does it have? When does it bloom? A farmer who has grown calendula for many years told us that calendula blooms around March to May each year, and the flowering period is about 10 days.
Calendula Seed Planting Methods
Sowing: Autumn sowing is usually carried out after mid-to-late September: Sterilize the substrate. To sterilize the substrate used for sowing, the best method is to put it in a pot and heat it until hot; any pests or diseases will be killed by the heat.
Germination promotion: Soak the seeds in warm hot water (at a temperature similar to face-washing water) for 3 to 10 hours, until the seeds absorb water and swell. For very common seeds that germinate easily, this step can be skipped.
Sowing: For tiny seeds that are difficult to pick up with your hands or other tools, you can moisten one end of a toothpick with water, stick the seeds one by one onto the surface of the substrate, cover with substrate 1 cm thick, then place the sowing pot into water, with the water depth at 1/2 to 2/3 of the pot's height, and let the water slowly soak up from below (this method is called the “pot immersion method”); this prevents the seeds from being washed up;
Management after sowing: After autumn sowing, when encountering a cold wave and low temperatures, you can wrap the flowerpot in plastic film to help keep it warm and moist; after the seedlings emerge, promptly uncover the film, and let the seedlings receive sunlight before 9:30 am each day, or after 3:30 pm, otherwise the seedlings will grow very weak; after most of the seeds have sprouted, appropriate thinning is needed: pull out the diseased and unhealthy seedlings so that the remaining seedlings have a certain amount of space between them; when most of the seedlings have grown 3 or more leaves, they can be transplanted into pots.
What Benefits and Effects Does Calendula Have?
1. Rich Substances
The flowers contain about 3% carotenoids, including lycopene, violaxanthin, flavoxanthin, rubixanthin, etc.; they also contain about 0.02% volatile oil, about 3.44% resin, about 4% mucilage, about 6.84% malic acid, pentadecanoic acid, trace salicylic acid, a small amount of alkaloids, and an enzyme with an organic substance. The roots contain triterpenoid saponins. The aboveground parts contain bitter substances, saponins composed of oleanolic acid and glucuronic acid, triterpene components such as arnidiol, etc.; they also contain about 6.45% tannins. The seeds contain fatty oil, mainly glycerides of lauric acid and palmitic acid; their unsaponifiable portion contains wax alcohol and sterols, and also alkaloids.
2. Benefits and Effects
Root: promotes qi circulation and invigorates blood. Flower: cools the blood and stops bleeding. Internal use: decoct in water, 5-15 g. External use: appropriate amount, squeeze the juice from fresh material and drip into the ear.
3. Clinical Applications
a. Calendula flower tea has pain-relieving and wound-healing benefits, helps treat stomach pain and gastric ulcers, reduces inflammation, kills bacteria, promotes blood circulation, relieves menstrual pain, and when drunk during a severe cold can promote urination and reduce fever.
b. Calendula flower tea nourishes the liver and brightens the eyes, beautifies the appearance, detoxifies, and reduces inflammation.
c. Calendula flower tea has excellent therapeutic effects on digestive system ulcers and lymphadenitis.
d. It protects the digestive system, strengthens liver function, and can treat hemorrhoids.
e. Calendula flower tea has the benefits of promoting sweating, promoting urination, and clearing damp-heat.
f. Calendula flower tea can reduce menstrual pain, relieve menstrual cramps, stimulate bile secretion, and break down fat. Female friends can drink more of it.