Calendula - marigolds: types, varieties, planting and care

Calendula is a grassy annual of the Astrov family. Distribution area Western Europe, Mediterranean, Southwest Asia.

This is the official name of the well-known marigolds. Unpretentious flowers symbolize love, longevity and purity. Most often, calendula is planted in mixed compositions. They stain the infield in yellow and orange.

Description of Calendula

Calendula in adulthood is a sprawling bush, reaches a height of 70 cm, flowers in diameter 4 cm (decorative forms - 8 cm). Culture can be both garden and wild. Distinctive features include:

• apical multifloral baskets;
• the presence of one or two rows of leaflets of elongated shape;
• external corollas are pistillate and false lingual, internal bisexual and tubular;
• heteromorphic curved achenes;
• specific aroma;
• ability to deter pests.

The erect stalk is dark green in color. It is covered with shovel-like leaf blades, each of which has short, hard hairs. Because of them, the plant becomes sticky. The location of the corollas in the inflorescence directly depends on gender. It grows well in sunny areas, as it is photophilous.

Marigolds begin to bloom in June. This period ends in late autumn. Fruits are formed on female plants. Calendula blooms only in sunny weather. Looking at the flower, you can predict the weather. Ripened seeds retain their germination for 4-5 years. The plant abundantly bears fruit, so the yield under favorable weather conditions will be quite high.

Types and varieties of calendula

The genus includes about 20 species. Most of them are annuals. In vivo, field and medicinal calendula most often grows.

Garden forms were obtained as a result of selection of natural species.

Field

It is field calendula that has decorative value. The plant does not have medicinal properties, so it is not used for medical purposes. The stem is weakly branched, the height varies from 10 to 30 cm. The obovate leaf blades are pubescent with glandular villi. In the period, ocher-yellow inflorescences form. Fruits appear in the middle of summer. Curved seeds are covered with thorns. Field nails can be seen in abandoned sites and wastelands. In the garden, this variety is grown as well as decorative varieties.

Medicinal

This species is used in medicine. The stems of the plant are wide and sparsely branched. The annual height does not exceed 75 cm. The characteristic features include the presence of sticky growth, a light green shade of the stem, simple oval leaves. A bright orange inflorescence in diameter reaches 6 cm. An unusual refreshing smell emanates from the corollas.

Garden

When creating decorative varieties, breeders were guided by the duration of flowering, plant height, shape and size of the inflorescence. As a result, various varieties of garden calendula were obtained.

For example, the nails of the Pacific Beauty group are most often grown for cutting, and the patio calendula is planted in curbs, clubs and alpine slides due to its compact size.

The list of decorative ones also includes such varieties as Golden Emperor, Orange Koenig, Calypso, Flames.

Features of growing calendula

The appearance of the plant largely depends on the illumination of the selected place. The more sunlight, the larger and brighter the basket. If the calendula is planted in the shade, its stem will stretch out a lot. The specified garden culture can withstand spring and autumn frosts without any problems.

Another essential factor is fertile soil. Despite the unpretentiousness of marigolds, their varietal features are best manifested when planting in drained and loamy soil.

Calendula is not only highly decorative. Marigolds have a disinfecting effect on the soil. Thanks to this, the crops growing nearby are protected from the negative effects of pathogens and harmful insects. The latter include butterflies, spider mites and the Colorado potato beetle. Caring for calendula is quite easy. So that it grows well and blooms brightly, the gardener needs to follow a few simple rules.

Planting Marigold Seeds and Seedlings

Due to its annual status, calendula is grown by seed. Therefore, the first step is the acquisition of seed material. Usually there are no difficulties with the purchase. The cost depends on the varietal characteristics.

In open ground, you can plant both seeds and seedlings.

The first method is most often used in the cultivation of tall species. When choosing the second option, you will have to make a lot more effort. It is preferred by summer residents who want to achieve early flowering.

The planting time is determined by the gardener himself. Flowers usually bloom 2.5 months after the appearance of sprouts. To achieve constant flowering, calendula is sown at different times (from March to November).

Calendula for cutting is planted in March-April. If the purpose of the summer resident is to decorate borders and flower beds, the seed is placed in the ground in February-March.

When growing seedlings, the seeds are placed in peat pots filled in advance with a soil mixture. The prepared material is placed in grooves, the depth of which cannot be more than 2 cm. Then, watering is carried out and the container is covered with a transparent film. The latter is necessary in order to achieve a suitable temperature regime. In the early days it should not be less than +18 ºC. Sprouts appear 7-10 days after planting. The next step is to remove the film.

The temperature in the room should not rise above +15 ºC. Seedlings need regular watering, uniform lighting and top dressing. Complex mineral fertilizers are added to the soil.

Planting calendula in the open ground

To achieve abundant flowering, it is necessary to choose seeds that differ in a narrow and curved shape. The soil should be moist, loose and fertilized. It is desirable that there is protection against strong drafts. The transplant is carried out after the appearance of two true leaves.

The selected area is dug up 1-2 weeks before disembarkation. It is fertilized with minerals and humus. The mixture should contain ingredients such as sand, compost and ash. The depth of the holes is at least 2 cm. Between the seedlings leave from 60 to 70 cm. When growing the medicinal calendula, the distance may be slightly less.

When propagated by seeds, the planting procedure is carried out in early spring. In this case, the seeds are planted in pre-prepared ridges.

In doing so, observe the following rules:

• distance - from 30 to 40 cm;
• trench depth - from 2 to 4 cm.

Placing the calendula too close can slow its growth.

Seedlings are planted in a permanent place in May. Before transferring seedlings to the ground, they need to be hardened on the terrace or balcony. This period takes about a week.

Calendula Care in the Garden

Growing marigolds does not take much time and does not require much effort.

The main condition is the timely conduct of agricultural activities. These include watering, top dressing, loosening and weeding.

If everything is done correctly, the calendula will bloom magnificently until late autumn.

Watering

The intensity of this procedure depends on weather conditions. If the climate is too hot, a hard crust will appear on the surface of the soil. Because of it, gas exchange in the root system is disrupted.

When watering, do not allow long stagnation of the liquid.

Thanks to regular irrigation, the plant will survive a dry period without any problems. In the absence of sufficient moisture, the number of inflorescences will be reduced.

Top dressing

The composition of the mixture directly depends on the initial characteristics of the soil. Due to its unpretentiousness, calendula can grow even on infertile soil. Once a month, the nails are fertilized with nitrogen-containing complexes. In this case, the dosage must be observed. Its excess is indicated by a sharp blanching of inflorescences. Fertilizers of natural origin are also used for top dressing. The list includes nettle infusion, mullein solution and bird droppings. It is desirable that boron be part of the complex.

Pinch

Through this procedure, you can extend the flowering period. The procedure is quite simple. Corollas need to be cut before they fade. The concept of pinching also means the removal of the tops located above the growth point. This is the place where the leaf blade is located. The specified part of the plant must be removed using scissors. As a result, new inflorescences and branches will form. Cut off shoots and corollas are harvested for further drying.

Seed collection

Seeds are harvested only in clear weather. When cutting, the baskets with seeds are removed along with a fragment of the peduncle. They must be ripe. To prevent shedding and subsequent self-seeding, a gauze bag should be put on the plant.

Diseases and Pests

Calendula is not susceptible to many diseases and pests. With excessive moisture on the plant, signs of powdery mildew and black spotting may appear. The problem can be eliminated through fungicides. Among them, Topsin, Skor, Fundazol and Topaz are distinguished. The most effective preventative measure is regular thinning of the thickets.

Calendula is not afraid of most parasites. The only exception may be aphids. You can get rid of it with the help of a special medication, they include Antitlin, Fufanon, Biotlin, Karbofos, Aktellik and Akarin.

Mr. Summer resident recommends: calendula - a doctor in the garden

The healing properties of calendula are explained by the presence of the following components:

• carotenoids - stop inflammatory processes;
• sterols - improve the functioning of the cardiac and circulatory system;
• triterpenoids - normalize sugar levels;
• flavonoids - accelerate regeneration, cleanse the body of toxins and toxins;
• essential oils - strengthen the immune system;
• coumarins - reduce the risk of thrombosis;
• calenden - wounds heal;
• vitamins and minerals - eliminate infectious pathologies.

Additional bonuses include improving vitality, stabilizing metabolic metabolism and improving the activity of the nervous system. Before using calendula in alternative medicine and homeopathy, you should consult your doctor. Otherwise, negative consequences cannot be avoided.

Calendula looks good in single and group plantings. Tall species are used to create the background, undersized are used to decorate garden paths, hedges and islets. Yellow-orange marigolds combine with purple, burgundy and blue flowers.