Tagetes are extremely popular summer flowers that enrich every perennial bed with their bright orange-red flower heads. The easy-care and very robust marigold flower can easily be grown yourself from the seeds you collected from the previous year.
How do I grow marigolds myself?
To grow marigolds yourself, sow the seeds in seed containers with nutrient-poor soil at the end of February, do not cover them, moisten them carefully and keep them light and warm (18-20 degrees). After the second pair of leaves appear, prick out the plants and put them outdoors after frost.
Harvesting marigold seeds
The withered heads of the marigold shrivel into brown seed tubes. Each tube contains a rod-shaped seed that can be easily removed after further drying.
Alternatively, you can buy seeds from specialist retailers. Marigolds come in many different varieties and bloom in different colors. The color spectrum ranges from a delicate yellow to a dark, brownish orange.
Prefer the marigold flower
The student flower can be grown in a bright place in the apartment from the end of February. Proceed as follows when sowing:
- Fill growing containers with low-nutrient growing soil.
- Sprinkle seeds loosely and press down a little.
- Since the marigold is a light germinator, they are not covered with soil.
- Moisten carefully with a sprayer so that the seeds are not washed away.
- Cover the growing container with a hood or a clear plastic bag to create a greenhouse climate.
- Don't forget to ventilate every day. This prevents the formation of mold and rot.
Place the pots in a bright and moderately warm place, around 18 to 20 degrees is ideal. The marigold germinates quite readily and the first cotyledons often appear after just one to two weeks.
If the second pair of leaves appears, the small marigolds should be pricked out. This means that the plants thrive more vigorously and do not compete for each other's space.
Sowing marigolds outdoors
After the first night frosts, you can also sow the marigolds directly outdoors. However, the marigolds grown indoors bloom significantly faster and are more resilient.
Tip
Tagetes prefer nutrient-rich soil. Therefore, enrich the outdoor soil with compost before planting. This ensures particularly lush flowering and strong growth.
