When to plant marigolds for seedlings and how to do it

When to plant marigolds for seedlings

Marigold seeds can be sown during March and April. At the same time, it is necessary to take into account the climatic features of the region. For example, in the south, seedlings can be prepared already in early spring. In the middle lane, sowing is carried out in late March - early April, and in the north it is better to transfer the procedure to the second half of April.

How to choose marigold seeds

These flowers are annual and perennial. The first type will decorate the garden for only a season, and if you like to experiment with flower beds, it is better to take this one. The second self-propagates by seeds and grows more and more every year. This is convenient, but over time, marigolds can spread throughout the site and turn into a weed.

Pay attention to the packaging with seeds. Usually they indicate the height of an adult bush - from 20 to 120 cm. Consider it when choosing varieties for your landscape ideas.

The flowers of the plant can be simple and double, and their diameter sometimes reaches 13–15 cm. Most often, marigolds are painted in red and yellow shades, but there are also plain varieties - red, orange, yellow, cream.

How to plant marigolds for seedlings

seeds These flowers sprout well without prior preparation, so start sowing immediately.

Prepare containers for seedlings

Take special seedling cassettes with many cells or plastic cups with a volume of about 200 ml. The main thing is that there are drainage holes at the bottom of the pots through which excess moisture will escape. Fill the containers with soil, not filling up to the edge of 1–1.5 cm, and compact its surface with the palm of your hand or a spoon. For marigolds suitable universal soil for growing flower seedlings, which can be found in stores and garden centers.

Moisten the soil liberally with water using a spray bottle.

Sow marigolds

Place 2-3 plant seeds in the center of each cup or cell.

Pour the soil over the seeds with a layer of no more than 1 cm, lightly compact with your fingers or a spoon. Moisten the soil again with water from a spray bottle.

Cover the crops with a transparent lid or cling film and place in a warm place with a temperature of 20–22 degrees.

Wait for shoots

They will appear in about 5-7 days. Until the sprouts hatch, make sure that the soil in the cups is always wet. If necessary, spray the seedlings with water from a spray bottle.

When the plants appear, remove the cover from the containers and place them on a sunny windowsill. If daylight is still not long enough, provide marigolds with additional lighting for 12-14 hours a day. For this, you can use special phytolamps, and ordinary fluorescent with a power of at least 36 W per 1 m².

How to care for marigold seedlings

These flowers will grow strong even without top dressing.

Water the marigolds

Do not allow the soil to dry out, but do not turn seedling containers into a swamp. Focus on the surface of the soil: as soon as it is slightly dry, it's time to water the marigolds. Until the plants get stronger, moisten them with a douche or syringe. At all stages of growth, try to pour water around the stem and not get on it, otherwise it may rot.

temper flowers

About 1-2 weeks before the proposed planting in the open ground, begin to accustom the seedlings to outdoor conditions. Take out the marigolds for the first time balcony or loggia for 2 hours. Then every day increase the time the plant stays cool by an hour. At the same time, make sure that the temperature does not fall below 10-12 degrees.

When to plant seedlings of marigolds in open ground

Marigolds are not afraid of cold weather, but for their relocation to a flower bed, it is better to wait until the night air temperature becomes consistently positive and the threat of return frosts has passed. In the south, plants can be transplanted already in late April - early May, in the regions of the middle zone - in the second half of May, in the north - in late May - early June.