How to grow pot marigold (Calendula officinalis)? Potted cultivation methods and precautions

  The pot marigold is a dwarf plant with dense blooms and bright, eye-catching flower colors, and it has a long blooming period, making it the most common herbaceous flower in early spring gardens and cities. With its brilliant colors, the pot marigold is one of the most common flowering plants, and growing it in pots to decorate the home is not uncommon either. Below, we introduce the cultivation methods and precautions for pot marigold!

  [Shade in spring, summer and autumn]

  Pot marigold cannot tolerate strong direct sunlight and needs timely shading in spring, summer and autumn. If the daytime temperature exceeds 25°C, do not place it directly in the sun, otherwise the leaves will noticeably become smaller, the distance between nodes will shrink, the lower leaves will gradually turn yellow and drop off, and the plant's growth will gradually slow down or even enter a semi-dormant state.

  In winter, since the temperature is not high, you can provide direct sunlight to promote photosynthesis, which helps the pot marigold form flower buds, bloom and set seed.

  After the plant blooms, you can keep it indoors for 10~15 days, then move it to a shaded outdoor environment for one month, and alternate care this way, which helps the plant accumulate nutrients and extends the blooming period.

  [Needs warmth, avoid extreme heat]

  Pot marigold prefers a warm climate and fears extreme heat; when the summer temperature is above 34°C, growth will be poor;

  It is not tolerant of frost and cold; when the winter temperature is below 4°C, it will enter dormancy or even die.

  The most suitable growing temperature for pot marigold is 15~25°C. During year-round care, pay attention to controlling the temperature well, open windows in time for ventilation, and control the indoor temperature by spraying water to cool it down.

  [Pinching and pruning]

  Every two months, cut off the branches with old and yellow leaves. As long as the temperature is suitable, it can bloom in all four seasons.

  Before blooming, generally pinch the tips twice to encourage more flowering branches to sprout: one to two weeks after potting, or when the seedling is 6~10 cm tall and has six or more leaves, remove the growing tip while keeping the lower 3~4 leaves to encourage branching. Three to five weeks after the first pinching, or when the side branches grow to 6~8 cm long, carry out the second pinching, that is, remove the growing tips of the side branches while keeping the 4 leaves below on the side branches. After two pinchings, the plant shape will be more ideal and the number of flowers will also be greater.

  [Control humidity, spray water in time]

  Pot marigold likes a humid environment; keep the humidity at 75~85%. During care, spray water in time to increase humidity, 1~3 times a day. On sunny days when the temperature is higher, appropriately increase the number of sprays; on cloudy and rainy days when the temperature is lower, appropriately reduce the number of sprays. However, with excessive misting, the emerging spikes are easily infected by pathogens and rot, so pay attention to water quality when spraying as well.

  [Precautions for growing pot marigold]

  1. Pay attention to water control

  Do not water too much during the growing period; just keep the soil moist. When the temperature is higher, spray in time to increase air humidity.

  2. Pest and disease control

  Common pests and diseases of pot marigold include fusarium wilt and downy mildew; spray promptly with a 500-fold dilution of zineb wettable powder for control. In early summer, as the temperature gradually rises, pot marigold often develops leaf spot disease; spray with a 2000-fold dilution of carboxin wettable powder for control.