Seeds Irrigation (Tagetes erecta) Irrigation 10 Seeds

The African marigold (Tagetes erecta), often called the Aztec or fiery clawed marigold, is the tall, showy member of the marigold family. It carries large, dense, pompom-shaped blooms in glowing shades of gold and orange held high on upright stems that can reach 1 to 1.5 metres. Its bold colour and generous flower size make it a standout for the back of a bed, for cut-flower borders, and as a striking ornamental that brings warmth to any garden. Unlike the smaller French and Signet types, this tall African variety needs a longer head start and a little support as it grows, but it rewards you with some of the largest, most dramatic marigold blooms you can grow.

Planting

Because tall African types mature more slowly, start seeds indoors about 8 to 10 weeks before planting out for the best, most uniform display. Sow the seeds roughly 6 mm deep, covering them lightly so the seed is fully covered by the growing media. With bottom heat at around 21 to 24 C, seedlings emerge in about 5 to 8 days; at warmer temperatures of 24 to 27 C they can sprout in as little as 4 to 7 days. In Egypt the temperate-zone calendar is inverted, so aim your main sowing for late August through October to enjoy blooms from autumn through the mild winter and into spring; a second window in January and February (especially further south) gives a spring display before the heat arrives. Avoid sowing for June to August bloom, as the intense summer heat above 38 C stalls growth and causes poor flowering. Transplant out once the soil has warmed, giving these tall plants 30 to 40 cm between them, and choose a spot in full sun with at least 6 hours of direct light, since marigolds perform poorly in shade.

Fertilizing

Marigolds are light feeders, so keep feeding simple. Work a balanced general-purpose fertilizer with equal nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium into the soil at planting time, or use a slow-release formula made for annuals. After that, no further feeding is usually needed. Steer clear of nitrogen-rich fertilizers: too much nitrogen pushes lush leafy growth at the expense of flowers. If you want to encourage more of those big blooms, lean toward a balanced formula or one with a higher middle number (phosphorus). A soil pH of 6.0 to 7.5 suits them best.

Care

Keep the soil evenly moist for the first couple of weeks after planting. Once established, plants need about 25 mm of water per week and prefer the soil to dry out somewhat between waterings, as they are drought-tolerant once settled in. Always water at the base rather than overhead to help prevent disease. Pinch young plants to encourage bushy branching, and stake the tall stems, which can reach 1 to 1.5 metres, if they need support. Deadhead spent flowers regularly to prolong flowering, prevent seed set, and reduce disease in humid conditions. Watch for spider mites, aphids, slugs, leafminers, whiteflies, thrips and caterpillars; treat mites and aphids with insecticidal soap. Good airflow, sharp drainage and base-only watering help keep gray mold and powdery mildew at bay, especially in the more humid Delta where spacing plants for airflow is key.