Thanks to their large pom-pom blooms in bright orange color, African marigolds are sure to brighten up any garden space. Bushy annuals boasting huge double, 5-10cm wide flowers coming in rich orange color. Blooming from early summer until frost, the showy blossoms are borne atop the foliage of pinnate leaves divided into lanceolate leaflets. Both, flowers and foliage are aromatic when crushed or brushed. Easy to grow and low maintenance, African Marigolds are excellent for beds, containers, or as edging plants. Vigorously grows up to 30-120cm tall and 30-60cm wide. Performs best in full sun, average, evenly moist, well-drained soils. Light shade is tolerated in hot sun areas. Drought tolerant once established. Generally pest and disease free thanks to their essential oil.
Culinary note: The citrus tasting flowers have many uses, try them in salads, sandwiches or seafood dishes too.
Works very well to keep away all sorts of parasites that hate the special aroma of the essential oil that marigolds contain.
Growing: year round in tropical climate; in temperate climates sow the seeds indoor in Mar/Apr and transplant outdoors when the danger of last frost is gone; or seed directly outdoors at the end of may, when danger of last frost is gone.
Soil: light, fertile, well-draining. Sow seed on the surface of the compost and cover with a very fine sprinkling of dry vermiculite or finely sieved compost. In temperate climates, place the seed and tray in a propagator or seal inside a polythene bag and keep at around 21-25C (70-75F) until the seeds germinate. This will take about 7-21 days. Don’t exclude light as this helps germination.
When the seedlings are large enough to handle, transplant them individually into 7.5cm (3") pots or multi-cell trays. For temperate climates, before planting out, acclimatise the plants to cooler conditions by putting them outside for a few hours a day for a few weeks. Plant out when all risk of frost has gone about 30cm (12") apart.
Sowing depth: 0.6cm deep.
Spacing: 20X20cm apart.
Light: full sun.
Watering: regular.
Fertilizing: Feed and water marigold plants regularly, particularly during hot, dry periods. Regular deadheading of marigold flowers will encourage further blooms to be produced throughout the summer.
*All our seeds are strictly Non-GMO, Untreated, Free of any possible harmful chemical compounds. All come from trusted and carefully selected small, non-commercial farmers worldwide that provide fresh, safe supply.*
