Taller and more upright than the shorter French marigold, the African marigold (Tagetes erecta) can mature to the grand height of three to four feet. A true annual that lasts only one season, the African marigold is a member of the aster family, with cultivars that offer large round flowers in shades of yellow, orange, and creamy white atop green stems and fern-like foliage.
These aromatic flowers brighten gardens from early summer until frost. While bountiful, these marigolds are not aggressive or invasive. Although native to Mexico and Central America, this plant is usually known as the African marigold because it was through African ports that plant traders first brought the plant to Europe.
Plant seeds or seedlings in the spring after the danger of frost has passed to enjoy a bounty of blooms in just two months. Be aware that the flowers and sap of African marigold are mildly toxic to humans.
The African marigold (Tagetes erecta) is a beloved flower known for its bright orange, yellow, and white blooms This hardy annual goes through several stages of growth during its life cycle. Understanding the stages helps gardeners know what to expect as the season progresses With the right care, African marigolds will provide non-stop color in flower beds, borders, and containers from late spring until the first frost.
Seed Germination
Marigolds grown from seed are started indoors 6-8 weeks before the last expected spring frost The seeds need warmth to germinate, so keep them at a temperature between 70-75°F Plant the seeds in sterile seed starting mix and cover lightly with 1/4 inch of soil. Keep the soil moist until the seedlings emerge, which takes 5-7 days.
Provide plenty of light immediately after germination Fluorescent shop lights placed 2-3 inches above the seedlings work well Insufficient light will cause leggy, weak growth. Thin seedlings to the strongest 2-3 plants per cell or pot once the first true leaves appear.
Seedling Stage
The seedling stage lasts 3-4 weeks after germination. The young marigold plants will have 4-6 pairs of true leaves and reach a height of 2-4 inches. Pinch or snip off the top inch of growth when the seedlings are 3-4 inches tall to encourage bushy, compact growth.
Adequate light and ventilation are critical during this stage. Allow space between the seedlings for air circulation. Move them to a sunny windowsill or under grow lights on a 14-16 hour daily photoperiod. Start fertilizing weekly with a balanced diluted fertilizer. Harden off the marigold seedlings for 7-10 days before transplanting them into the garden after all danger of frost has passed.
Vegetative Growth Stage
The vegetative stage begins when the marigold seedlings are transplanted into the garden. This stage involves rapid leaf growth and shoot production. Space the marigolds 8-12 inches apart in full sun locations with well-drained soil. Water the new transplants daily until they become established.
Pinch back the stem tips every 2-3 weeks to promote bushiness. Taller varieties may need staking to prevent flopping over. Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer every 2 weeks during this active growth period. Deadheading spent flowers encourages more blooms. Weed weekly and use organic mulch to retain moisture.
Bud Formation
Flower buds start forming 6-8 weeks after transplanting when the plants reach a height of 1-2 feet. The first buds appear at the tips of the stems and branching laterals. The buds are oval in shape and bright green at first. They gradually elongate and turn yellowish-orange as the flowers start opening.
Make sure marigolds receive at least 6 hours of direct sun for best flower production. Continue regular watering during bud formation, allowing the soil to slightly dry out between waterings. Apply a bloom-boosting fertilizer that is higher in phosphorus to support flowering.
Flowering
Marigolds begin flowering 10-12 weeks after sowing the seeds. The showy blossoms open fully a few days after the buds appear. Flowering progresses from the central stems to the lateral branches. Deadhead spent blooms to encourage new flowers.
The blossoms unfurl in sunny weather and close at night or on cloudy, rainy days. Flowering continues nonstop until fall frosts end the marigold growing season. Removing faded flowers before they can go to seed allows the plant to put energy into producing more flowers instead of setting seed.
Senescence
The final stage of the marigold life cycle is senescence or death. Light frosts and freezes cause the foliage to blacken and die back. The blooms stop flowering and the whole plant deteriorates. In warm climates, marigolds behave as perennials and go dormant in winter before resuming growth in spring.
If allowed to fully mature, the spent marigold flowers will drop their seeds. These can be collected and saved for planting next year. The flowering season can be prolonged by moving potted marigolds indoors before the first hard freeze. Most gardeners prefer to compost the dead plants and start with fresh seedlings each spring.
Key Takeaways on Marigold Growth Stages
- Marigolds take 10-12 weeks from seed to first bloom. Fast germination is key to a long flowering season.
- Providing adequate light, spacing, and pinching at each stage results in bushy, compact plants smothered in flowers.
- Timely watering and fertilizing, especially during bud formation, ensures prolific blooms.
- Deadheading improves flower production and plant appearance.
- Marigolds bloom continuously from midsummer until killed by frost.
- Allowing plants to self-seed provides free plants for next year.
Understanding the different phases of development helps grow picture-perfect marigolds. With a little care, these cheery annuals will deliver bold color and curb appeal to gardens and containers all season long. Their long flowering window and adaptability have made African marigolds a go-to choice for generations of gardeners.
Soil
African marigolds are adaptable to many kinds of soil and are known to perform well in poor soil. For best results, new plants require well-draining and fertile soil. Moist sand or loam is ideal, though its possible to grow African marigolds in both dense clay and dry, gravelly soil.
In poor soils, add compost or other organic, nutrient-rich materials at planting time. Maintain a soil pH of 6.0 to 7.5. African marigolds dislike very acidic soil, and anything below 5.8 is likely to cause poor performance.
Propagating African Marigold
African marigold grows so readily from commercial seed that vegetative propagation is rarely done—it can take longer to propagate cuttings than for seeds to sprout and mature. But if you dont want to buy new seeds, asexual reproduction by rooting stem cuttings is a way to ensure that you achieve exact duplicates from hybrid varieties growing in your garden. (Seeds collected from flower heads will easily grow, but their genetics can be somewhat different than hybrid parent plants.)
Heres how to propagate from stem cuttings:
- Using sharp pruners, clip off four-inch segments from the tips of healthy stems, preferably without flowers or buds.
- Remove any remaining flowers and buds as well as the lower leaves on the cutting.
- Moisten the potting mix.
- Plant the cutting in a small pot filled with commercial potting mix.
- Enclose the planted cutting in a plastic bag, and place it in a bright, warm location, but not in direct sunlight.
- Periodically check the cutting to see if roots are forming, and to moisten the potting mix as needed.
- When you feel resistance when gently tugging on the stem, it means the cutting has rooted. At this point, you can remove the plastic bag and continue growing the plant in full sunlight. It can be planted in the garden at any time during the growing season.
★ How to Grow Marigolds from Seed (A Complete Step by Step Guide)
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