Just in time for sunrise, the orange marigold blossoms open, delighting young and old with their natural beauty throughout the long summer day. Then, when the sun disappears behind the horizon, the marigold blossoms close again. Are marigolds a reliable weather prophet? Perhaps! One thing is certain: if the blossom has opened wide by the morning, it can only mean one thing: the day will likely be sunny!
Characteristics
| Plant information | |
|---|---|
| Blooms from June to October | |
| Low feeder | |
| Calendula officinalis | |
| 20-60cm | |
| Annual | |
| Orange | |
| For beautifying gardens, balconies, or surroundings | |
Planting instructions on the cover
The marigold is a summer bloomer. It thrives in both partial shade and full sun. The rule here is: the more sun, the larger the blossoms. The soil should be slightly loamy and not too damp. Nutrient-poor seed compost is suitable for sowing. The plant repeatedly produces new flower buds, which fade after 4–5 days each. If using as a cut flower, you should cut the blossoms before they have fully opened. It reaches a height of 20 – 60 cm.
Detailed planting instructions: Marigolds
This aster is considered one of the ornamental plants that humans have cultivated the longest. For this reason, no one can say for sure today which region the marigold originally comes from; it is suspected that the Mediterranean region was its first area of distribution. Calendula officinalis was used in ancient times as a medicinal plant; it was used as an infusion and as an ointment for treating wounds or inflammation. The marigold retains its magnificent yellow even after it has been dried; this made it quite sought after as early as ancient times. Why? Because, when crushed and ground, it could be discreetly mixed into saffron, which was already expensive at the time: spice traders would thus stretch saffron with marigold. (However, there are also varieties that bloom more in orange or reddish hues.)
Two flowering periods
The Calendula is popular not least because it blooms twice. Sown in April, the first flowering period begins in June – the bloom is then quite intense for about a month and a half. After this time, the marigolds develop new buds, which are somewhat smaller, and flourish again in late summer or early autumn. That is naturally fantastic and makes the hearts of all flower lovers beat faster. And best of all: marigolds do not even require a lot of care.
The location is much more crucial. The soil should be slightly loamy, nitrogen-poor, and ideally relatively dry. Oh yes, full sun would be optimal. If these basic conditions are met, then the Calendula is a grateful plant that reliably germinates in the flowerbed. Beforehand, you should have loosened the soil a bit and cleared it of weeds; ideally, cover the seeds with a layer of compost no more than one centimeter thick. Once the seeds have germinated, thin out the bed a bit by spacing the seedlings about 30 centimeters apart. This naturally means that a few seedlings will be left over; you can tuck those in elsewhere in the garden. Or you can plant them in window boxes. Be careful when lifting them; it is best if you use a tablespoon or a small trowel.
Caution when sowing
As already described, you can sow in April – but only if there is a guarantee that there will be no more frost. If you lack patience and want to experience the first bloom in May, you can also start the Calendula indoors. For this, you only need a pot, seed starting soil, and a little sand, which you use to cover the soil with a very thin layer. The seed starting soil must always be moist; after less than two weeks at 15 degrees, the seedlings will sprout. After about three weeks, the young shoots are then placed individually into flower pots and from there into the bed in May; the bloom will begin very soon.
And the maintenance effort? It is very limited. A little compost before sowing, a little compost after sowing, and the rest takes care of itself practically on its own. With moderate moisture, the chances for a great bloom are best, provided the weather gods play along. If there is a long dry spell, you can help out with a little water from time to time. By the way, pinch off wilted flower heads with garden shears to promote the growth of new flower stems.
Amidst other plants
Marigolds feel right at home when they are allowed to thrive amidst various types of vegetables. The Calendula is even valuable for green forage because its roots secrete toxic compounds that keep nematodes away. But, of course, you can also plant marigolds as a pure marigold bed or in a summer flowerbed together with other flowers. If you have depleted soils somewhere in the garden, such as a former strawberry patch, feel free to sow marigold seeds; they are ideal for revitalizing tired soils.
Nematodes are therefore not an issue, but what about other pests? Downy and powdery mildew are fungi that unfortunately often infect the marigold, in addition to leaf spot diseases. However, if the soil is loose enough and the location is airy, then this may not even happen at all. Otherwise, leaf miners, mirid bugs, and aphids sometimes go after the Calendula. Protection against slugs is also recommended.
