'Strawberry Blonde' (Tagetes patula) - Vigorous, bushy stunner introduces never-before-seen cool shades to the marigold color palette. A breathtaking breakthrough in marigold breeding: buds open soft rose-pink, then slowly blush through peach, apricot, and strawberry-plum tones as they mature — every single plant carries multiple colours at once. This marigold variety actually change color. When warmer, blooms are yellow-pinks; when cooler: pink-plum tones kick in. These bushy, free-flowering French marigold plants are set to be this year's must-have bedding plant.
Compact 25–30 cm tall mounds, perfect for small HDB balconies, railing baskets, window boxes, and children’s gardens. It has high weather tolerance ensuring a long season of colour in beds, border and containers.
First flowers: 45–50 days from sowing. Blooming duration: 6–8 months non-stop.
Stand-out magic:
Colour-shifting flowers — no two days look the same;
Strong natural mosquito & whitefly repellent — creates a protective halo around nearby herbs and chillies.
Edible petals with a mild fruity tang — tastes like faint strawberry with a citrus-pepper finish; kids adore them in ice cubes or on cupcakes.
Totally beginner- & child-friendly — germinates fast, forgives over/under-watering.
Growing:
Sow directly in garden or pots year-round; best during cooler parts of rainy season for easier establishment. Surface-sow (barely cover) in seed-starting mix; seeds need light to germinate.
Germination: 5–7 days at 22–28 °C soil temperature. Spacing: 15–25 cm apart (dwarf varieties).
Light: Full sun (6–8+ hours daily); tolerates light afternoon shade in 35 °C+ heat.
Soil: Well-draining, moderately fertile loam; pH 6.0–7.0. Avoid rich, wet soils — promotes foliage over flowers. Containers: Use 15–20 cm pots with drainage holes; excellent for patios.
Watering: Keep soil evenly moist during establishment (first 2–3 weeks). Once rooted, water 2–3 cm per week in dry spells; reduce in monsoons. Never let soil stay waterlogged — root rot is common in humid tropics.
Fertilizing: Light feeder: Apply balanced liquid fertilizer (10-10-10) at half-strength every 4–6 weeks. Avoid excess nitrogen — causes leggy growth and fewer blooms. In poor soils, mix in compost at planting.
Common issues in tropics: Spider mites & thrips in dry heat — hose off or use neem oil. Fungal leaf spot or powdery mildew in high humidity — improve airflow, avoid overhead watering.
Companion planting: Excellent near tomatoes, eggplants, and peppers.
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