Tagetes are very robust, easy to care for and completely unproblematic to cultivate. This makes the pretty garden flower with its bright flower heads one of the most popular perennials in our gardens. Since the marigold produces many seeds, it makes sense to use them for propagation.
Are marigolds light germinators and how are they sown?
Tagetes are light germinators that require heat, oxygen, moisture and sufficient light for germination. When sowing, a thin layer of soil, no thicker than the seed, is important. Germination takes place in about a week and the plants should be separated after about two to three weeks.
Marigold seeds need light to grow
The marigold is a light germinator. Unlike dark germinators, the seeds of marigolds do not store much energy. The sprouted seed therefore has to supply itself with nutrients as quickly as possible and does not have the strength to grow from deep layers of the earth to the saving light.
Making the seeds sprout
The marigold seeds only germinate if they receive sufficient light stimuli in addition to heat, oxygen and moisture. The layer of soil that covers the seed must not be thicker than the individual seed. Therefore, the following procedure is recommended when sowing:
- Fill seed trays or pots with soil.
- Moisten the substrate with a sprayer (€27.00 on Amazon).
- Spread seeds over a wide area and press down.
- Wet again with a sprayer.
- A plastic bag or a hood placed over the flower pot provides the humidity necessary for germination.
- Place the vessels in a warm and bright place on the windowsill. Direct sunlight must be avoided as the small seedlings cannot yet withstand it.
Be sure to separate student flowers
Under optimal conditions, Tagetes germinates quickly and the first cotyledons usually appear after just a week. The small plants grow noticeably and after just two to three weeks the space in the cultivation container becomes too tight. You could now consistently pull out the weak seedlings so that only the strongest survive. However, it makes more sense to prick out the marigolds.
Each student flower now gets its own pot in which it can continue to grow undisturbed. To do this, carefully lift the young plants and their roots out of the planting bowl and place the small marigolds in a flower pot filled with a soil-sand mixture or potting soil.
Tip
In mild regions you can also sow the marigold directly outdoors from mid-May. However, keep in mind that the marigolds will bloom a little later because they still have to fully develop. Be sure to protect the small seedlings from snails, because the tender shoots are an absolute treat for the voracious animals.