Tagetes(Tagetes) is a relatively easy-to-grow annual that enjoys its yellow or orange flowers with crimped petals all summer long. Perfect for garden beds, planted on borders and in pots on balconies and terraces. See whatmarigold cultivation looks likeand choose the bestmarigold varietiesfor your garden, balcony or terrace.
The tagetes erect creates the most sumptuous, full flowers. It is used for planting a bed and for a cut flower
Tagetes - description
Tagetes, sometimes also called Turks, came to us from Central and South America. Their flowers develop singly on branched stems. These plants begin flowering in June and sometimes continue until the first autumn frosts.
Polish generic namemarigoldemphasizes the velvety appearance of the flower petals of this plant, but the plant was also assigned names referring to the unpleasant smell of its leaves. Hence, these flowers are sometimes called turks or stinkers. Also, their Latin name Tagetes refers to the Etruscan demigod of wisdom Tages, who reportedly neglected personal hygiene.
Leaves release this intense fragrance when rubbed or even minimally damaged. It is effective in repelling pests, thereforemarigoldsare also planted as repellent plants for moles and voles, as well as some insects. It is recommended to grow them in the company of other plants for which they will act as a protective shield against these pests.It is worth noting, however, that some newvarieties of marigoldsare devoid of this smell, which on the one hand is their advantage, and on the other hand makes them unsuitable for deterring pests - they themselves are often inhabited by aphids and eaten by snails.
The scattered marigold is most often planted in garden beds and borders. Its flowers are often two-colored, e.g. brightly edged or with spots
Tagetes - garden varieties
Three species are most commonly found in gardens: the upright marigold, the scattered marigold and the narrow-leaved marigold.
The tagetes erect , sometimes also called tagetes erecta, creates full flowers in the shape of a flattened hemisphere, up to 12.5 cm in diameter. Plants reach 45 to 75 cm in height, although there are also varieties growing up to 1 m. Dark green leaves, deeply notched and toothed, lengthup to 15 cm. They are sometimes used as cut flowers, their inflorescences last quite a long time after being placed in a vase with water.
The tagets patula produces much smaller flowers, about 6 cm in diameter. Depending on the variety, they can be single, semi-double or full, one or two colors in shades of yellow, orange, red or purple-brown. Compared to the erect marigold, the plants have much smaller leaves, more extensive habit and are slightly shorter. They reach from 20 to 60 cm. They are eagerly planted in boxes and pots and on the edges of the rebate.
Tagetes narrow-leaved(Tagetes tenuifolia) has the smallest, single flowers, about 2.5 cm in diameter, but very numerous. It is also the lowest, reaching only 30 cm in height. This species has the most branched stems and pinnate leaves. With abundant flowering, it looks like a ball sprinkled with flowers.
The narrow-leaved tagetes has small, single flowers, but occurring in great numbers. You can create floral carpets from it
Tagetes - growing and sowing seeds
Tagetesis a relatively easy plant to grow. It requires a sunny position ( although it also does well in light partial shade) and a fertile and well-drained soil. Inthe cultivation of marigoldnitrogen fertilization should not be overdone, as it contributes to the excessive development of leaves at the expense of flowers. It is worth watering the plants regularly, although the marigold tolerates periods of drought well, and it quickly regains its vigor after heavy rain. For this reason, the lowermarigoldvarieties do well on sunny, southern balconies, where other plants need to be watered even twice a day in hot weather.Erected tagetesshould be topped regularly, removing the uglier and fading flowers to stimulate the plant to continue flowering.In the case ofmarigold , this procedure should be carried out sporadically. Tall varieties should be protected from the wind.
Tagetes seedsare sown from mid-March to the inspection or to the container on the window sill. You can use a ready-made substrate for sowing seeds or prepare a mixture of garden soil, peat and sand mixed in equal proportions. The sown seeds are covered with a thin layer of sand. They germinate quite quickly, after 5 days. Let us make sure that they do not grow too densely, and the temperature does not exceed 15 ° C, because then they will stretch out excessively. When the seedlings have grown a bit, they need to be pierced.
The resulting seedlings are planted in the second half of May, when the risk of frost has passed. In May, you can also sow seeds directly in the beds, remembering, however, that the plants will bloom a little later, usually only in July.
