Marigolds are annual plants grown by many gardeners in their summer cottages. In order for a flower bed with marigolds to please the eye with lush flowering, it is not necessary to buy expensive seeds. It is enough to prepare seed material for the next spring sowing at the end of the seasonal flowering. Following the basic rules and consistency will help you prepare quality seeds that will germinate easily in the new season.
About marigolds
Compositae culture belongs to the variety of the Aster family. Under natural conditions, plants grow in the countries of South and Central America. The varietal variety can be divided into two types: female reed and bisexual tubular. In the sepals and the basket of a bud that has already bloomed, seeds can easily be found. Outwardly, it is difficult to confuse them with the seeds of other plants - they are oblong, black or brown, framed by a small white fluff. Marigold seeds are unique.
Seed collection time
It is necessary to take a responsible attitude to the collection of seeds of a representative of the Aster family. Preparation should begin in the summer. As a donor of seed, specimens with large beautiful flowers are chosen. Having noticed those in your flower bed, more carefully protect them from the encroachments of children or pets. The seed collection itself begins in mid to late September. To do this, you need to navigate the baskets of flowers - if they are brown, withering, then you can safely start harvesting. In order for the seeds to be of high quality, to sprout quickly, and not to rot, the harvesting of marigold material for future spring planting should be carried out in calm clear weather.
REMEMBER: Usually, from the moment the plants bloom to the moment the seed is harvested, it should take about 45-50 days.
Collection sequence
Bolls with dried and finally formed seeds must be collected in the following sequence:
- The boxes are carefully cut so as not to damage.
- The seed boxes are carefully laid out on paper and placed in a dry, ventilated room.
- Seeds are carefully removed, leaving dry for planting.
- Seed material is placed in a box or paper bag.
When selecting material suitable for breeding, preference should be given to large seeds. It is they that are rich in nutrients necessary for proper development and germination after they are planted in the ground.
Calibration and storage
Calibration is carried out using a solution prepared from water (1 liter) and salt (50 grams). Salt is placed in clean water at room temperature, mixed thoroughly and poured with the resulting liquid marigold seeds.
After a few hours, empty seeds will float to the surface, and suitable for planting will settle at the bottom. Good specimens should be rinsed and then dried thoroughly.
After the seeds are well dried, they are placed in small batches in paper bags and sent to a warm, dark room. Some inexperienced gardeners use plastic bags for this purpose. This is wrong, since there is a high risk that the seeds in cellophane will become covered with mold. Marigold seeds packed in paper bags can be stored for a long time - they will be suitable for planting after 5-6 years.
Experienced gardening tips
In order for marigolds to delight the eye with lush flowering for a long time, follow the following tips from experienced gardeners:
- choose only healthy donor plants;
- do not neglect the rules for collecting and preparing seeds;
- plant different varieties of plants at a distance from each other to avoid the possibility of cross-pollination;
- observe the gaps between the bushes - this way you will protect the plants from fungal infections;
- fertilize the flowerbed with marigolds several times: before the buds form and during their flowering period.
We hope that following the tips and recommendations given in the article will help you create a multi-colored flower bed of fragrant marigolds on your site without much hassle and cost.
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