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With
their rich yellow, cream, lemon, gold, orange and reddish-brown
flowers, marigolds are great plants for brightening
up any garden. They are excellent massed in a bold display
on their own, or they can be toned down with while and
blue flowering annuals for a mixed display. Recently
marigolds have become popular in the vegetable garden
for use as companion plants, because not only does their
pungent foliage deter insects, but their roots discourage
soil-dwelling nematodes. Marigolds are extremely easy
to grow, and can be cultivated almost all year round
in warm regions of Australia. Here are some easy tips
for growing stunning marigolds.
Marigolds can be raised from seed, or you can plant
them as seedlings. The two main types are African, which
are tall and produce large flowers and French, which
develop into smaller plants with generally smaller flowers.
Despite their names, both types originate from Mexico.
The tall varieties can grow up to 75cm high and may
need staking, while the compact types are ideal for
the edges of beds and borders and containers. Both varieties
require the same growing conditions.
The first point to bear in mind is that marigolds must
be grown in full sun to flower well - they won't reach
their full potential if they are grown in shade. Tall
varieties need to be protected from strong winds to
prevent them blowing over.
Marigolds prefer a loose, friable loam which has been
enriched with organic matter and complete fertiliser.
The texture and properties of Searles® Flower Garden
Mix are ideal for these types of plants and planting
your marigolds directly into this mix will save you
the time and effort of digging over, improving and manuring
your existing soil. Space tall varieties 40cm apart
and dwarf types 20cm apart for a good display.
Another important tip for marigolds is to pinch out
the first few flowers before they open. This will force
each plant to produce more flowers and you'll end up
with a far better display or colour. Whilst you are
at it, remove any weeds from around your marigolds otherwise
they will compete with the plants for food and water.
Marigolds develop a relatively shallow root system so
it is important to keep them well watered and mulched
with Searles Mulch Plus® to prevent heat stress and
evaporation.
Young marigold plants grow vigorously so you will need
to fertilise regularly with Searles Flourish® Soluble
Plant Food right up to the point of flowering. Once
your plants start flowering, you won't need to fertilise
as much. Marigolds have a long flowering season, which
can be extended even further by regularly deadheading
your plants. This will keep them looking neat and fresh
and will stimulate the production of more flowers over
many weeks to come. |
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Now
here's your checklist for stunning marigolds:
• Plant them into Searles® Flower Garden Mix and
make sure they're in full sun
• Keep young plants well watered, mulched and weed
free
• Pinch out the first flowers before they open
• Fertilise with Searles Flourish® Soluble Plant
Food until your plants are flowering. |
Now
if you do this you will have a brilliant display of
marigolds in no more than six to eight weeks. It's as
easy as that!
Happy Gardening with Searles from the Searle
family.
© Copyright 2002 JC &
AT Searle Pty Ltd
You may make a copy of this Fact Sheet for your personal,
non-commercial use only. Please do not make any other
use of this Fact Sheet without first obtaining our permission. |
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