Marigolds are the most popular and common flower in India that are profusely grown in most gardens. With its vibrant colors and cheerful blooms, it is a delightful addition to any home garden. Whether you’re an experienced gardener or a beginner, growing or planting marigolds from seeds or dried flowers can be a rewarding experience. Let us learn in detail about how to grow marigolds at home in pots, step-by-step marigold growing tips.
Types Of Marigolds To Grow In India
The climate of India is diverse and marigold flowers thrive in different regions. Choose popular varieties like French marigolds (Tagetes patula), African marigolds (Tagetes erecta), and Mexican marigolds (Tagetes lucida) for their unique features and adaptability.
Marigold Flower Growing Season In India
Understanding the growing season is an important tip for growing or planting marigolds in pots. You can sow marigold seeds all year round in India, however, it is grown primarily in the winter (October to February) and the rainy season (June to September) in many areas.
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The Best Soil for Growing Marigold
- Marigolds prefer well-drained and fertile soil.
- Make sure the pH level is around 6.0 to 7.0 for healthy growth.
- You can also make your potting soil mixture by adding cocopeat, perlite, vermiculite, mustard cake, cow dung manure, and vermicompost to normal soil to provide the ideal base.
- Additionally, you can also use ready-to-use potting soil mix.
Grow Bags or Pots Size for Planting Marigolds in Pots
Choosing the right container is important for container gardening. Choose pots or grow bags that are at least 9 to 15 inches wide and deep with good drainage, and be sure to accommodate the marigold’s root system. There are some best size pots and grow bags that you can choose for growing marigolds at home.
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The Best Method To Plant Marigold
Another important tip to grow marigolds at home is to choose the right method. Planting marigold plants in pots or gardens involves sowing seeds or transplanting seedlings. If starting from seeds, either sow them directly into the soil or germinate them indoors before transplanting. Mainly transplanting method is most suitable for growing marigold from seeds. For Seedlings, plant them 8 to 12 inches apart, allowing plenty of room for growth.
Steps on How to Grow Marigold at Home from Seeds
To grow marigolds from dried flowers or seeds in pots or gardens you need to follow these effective steps to know marigold growing tips. Let us know how to grow marigolds at home in pots:
- Prepare the Soil: Take a seedling tray or small pot and fill it with seeds starter mix.
- Sow the Seeds: Sow marigold seeds at a depth of 1/8 to 1/4 inch in the soil.
- Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist until the seed’s germination process.
- Sunlight Exposure: Place the pot in a sunny spot, however, it may also germinate in a dark spot.
- Germination: The ideal temperature of soil for sowing marigold seeds is 15-26°C. It takes a few days (4-10 days) to germinate.
- Transplanting Seedlings: Transplant the plants when they are about 2 inches tall. A minimum spacing of 8-10 inches is good for marigolds, or you can plant one plant in each small pot.
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Caring For Marigold Plants In Pots
After learning marigold growing tips, let us know the tips for taking care of marigold plants in pots or home gardens.
- Water – Marigolds need regular watering in the starting days but once established weekly watering is sufficient, but you should check if the soil is dry and water them if it is dry.
- Sunlight – Most marigolds prefer full sunlight (6-8 hours) but can tolerate some shade. They love the afternoon shade during summer.
- Temperature – The temperature above 35°C and below 4°C is not good for the growth of the marigold. The ideal temperature for growing marigolds is 18-30°C.
- Fertilization: Feed with an organic balanced fertilizer like Bio NPK liquid fertilizer, cow dung manure, vermicompost, etc. every 4-6 weeks during the growing season.
- Common pests and diseases – Insects such as snails, slugs, aphids, and spider mites destroy the growth of marigolds. And some diseases such as root rot, and gray mold infect marigold plants. But the most common disease caused by fungal spores is powdery mildew. You can prevent your plant from this by providing good air circulation between plants and avoiding overhead watering.
- Pruning/Deadhead – Pruning is essential to keep the marigold plants neat and well-shaped or to encourage healthy and new blooms. You can cut off visible discolored or dried flowers on the plant by using a pruning cutter. If any unhealthy or brown stems appear on the marigold plant, cut them off carefully.
- Mulching – 1-2 layers of mulch are very helpful for marigold plants to maintain moisture in the soil and discourage weeds.
Marigold Blooming Time
- Marigolds typically bloom in late spring, summer, and fall, providing a vibrant display of colors.
- You can expect flowering 8 weeks after planting.
- Regular deadheading can extend the flowering period.
- You can cut open marigold flowers in the morning and place them in water in a vase. They stay fresh for up to a week!
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Growing or planting marigolds in pots from seeds or dried flowers at home is a delightful experience that adds brightness with their yellow and orange colored flowers and positive energy to your home garden or balconies. With these tips for growing marigolds, your plants will flourish, creating a haven of beauty at your doorstep. Happy gardening!
