Marigold (Tagetes patula) of the Asteraceae family: which month to sow? Detailed guide to planting methods and medicinal benefits
Tagetes patula, also known as dwarf marigold, red-yellow herb, Xi Fan chrysanthemum, and stinking chrysanthemum, originated in Mexico. It is now widely cultivated in gardens and courtyards. So which month should you sow Tagetes patula of the Asteraceae family? How do you grow it? What benefits does it have? Let's take a look!
Which month to sow Tagetes patula?
The seeds of Tagetes patula can be sown anytime from November to March each year. If sown in winter, it will bloom from March to May of the following year. You can sow them in flower pots or direct-sow them in the courtyard. One month after potting, the seedlings can be dug out and planted in their final position. If you take cuttings in summer, it will bloom from August to December; whether inserted into pots or directly into the ground, they will all take root. It can be sown all year round. However, due to the constraints of flower-use conditions, the demand for flowers is greatest for the two holidays of "May 1st" and National Day. Also, because sowing Tagetes patula 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 to avoid growth stagnation as much as possible. For sowing, a loose artificial medium is suitable; seedbed sowing or box sowing for seedling raising can be used, and plug-tray seedling raising can be used where conditions permit. After disinfection treatment, cover lightly after sowing; the optimum germination temperature for Tagetes patula is 22-24°C.
How to grow it?
1. Light: Tagetes patula is a sun-loving plant; both growth and flowering require ample sunlight, and sufficient light also helps prevent the plant from becoming leggy. However, from July to September, direct sunlight should be avoided, and shading and cooling are needed around noon.
2. Temperature: After potting, the temperature can be reduced from 22°C to 18°C, and after a few weeks it can be lowered to 15°C; before and after flowering it can go as low as 12-14°C. Generally speaking, as long as it is above 5°C it will not suffer frost damage, and it can grow well between 10°C and 30°C.
3. Watering: The key to water management is to use a well-draining medium. While keeping the medium moist is important, proper drying before each watering is necessary; of course, the medium must not be allowed to become so dry that the plant wilts.
4. Fertilizing: For Tagetes patula grown in soil, a compound fertilizer can be mixed in moderation as a base fertilizer before potting the medium; if fertility is insufficient, 20-10-20 and 14-0-14 fertilizers can be used.
What benefits does it have?
1. In traditional Chinese medicine, Tagetes patula can be regarded as a herb with good medicinal value. The benefits and effects of different parts of Tagetes patula differ; Tagetes patula has good therapeutic effects on respiratory tract infections such as cough, dysentery-type diseases, and wind-fire eye pain.
2. Tagetes patula also has a very good therapeutic effect on mastitis in women. In "Yi medicine" many people also use Tagetes patula; it can treat snake bites, treat dizziness and colds, and also treat fever.
3. The benefits and effects of Tagetes patula are recorded in many of our ancient medical books. Tagetes patula can also treat whooping cough in infants; it can treat dysentery; treat parotitis; breast abscess; boils and swelling, etc. Tagetes patula has very good curative effects on toothache, oral inflammation, and red swollen painful eyes.
4. Besides its good medicinal value, Tagetes patula also has very good effects on people's health and wellness. Both the flowers and leaves of Tagetes patula can be used as medicine; it has the effect of clearing heat and resolving phlegm, and also has the effect of nourishing blood and promoting menstruation. It has a very good effect on bronchitis, and some residents in Russia believe that regularly eating Tagetes patula can also help prolong life.