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Start growing Tagetes

Grow Tagetes

Tagetes is also known as velvet flower. It is an easy flower to grow and requires minimal care.
Growing Tagetes is not difficult, they grow well in most gardens. They thrive in both sun and partial shade, and their growth doesn't require special conditions.
Even if the soil is not nutrient-rich, Tagetes can still thrive. In my experience, it doesn't take much effort to be successful in cultivation.

You can grow them in pots, greenhouses or in the garden. These delicate velvet flowers can be grown individually or in groups with vegetables, perennials and summer flowers.
It is recommended to pre-germinate the seeds if you want to start growing early.
You can also buy potted tagetes that are already ready to be planted out.

Morning glory

Tagetes, also known as 'marigold', is one of the most popular garden flowers in the UK. This beautiful flower is known for its colourful blooms and its ability to attract bees and butterflies to your garden. Tagetes is more than just a beautiful flower. It also has many medicinal properties and can help protect other plants in your garden.

To grow and flower at their best, tagetes need sunny weather and well-drained soil. It can be grown both in the ground and in pots. It is an easy plant to care for and does not require much watering or fertilizer to thrive.

There are many different types of tagetes, including 'African Marigold', 'French Marigold' and 'Mexican Marigold'.
The African Marigold is the largest of the three and can grow to a height of 60 cm.
French Marigold is the smallest of the three and usually grows up to 30cm tall. Mexican Marigold is the most aromatic and is often used in cooking and tea making.

Tagetes has many uses in the garden. It can be used as a border plant, in flower beds or in pots.
It can also be planted in vegetable beds to protect against pests and to add nutrients to the soil.
Tagetes has a strong scent that can keep pests such as nematodes and aphids away from your other plants.

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Pre-germination

You can start sowing Tagetes as early as March. The earlier you start sowing the seeds, the earlier they will flower. The sowing time depends on whether you plant directly in the garden or pre-germinate the seeds. If you plant directly in the garden, you'll have to wait until May, but you can pre-germinate the seeds from March or April.
I find that pre-germination gives the best results, so I start sowing the seeds in pots in early spring.

Sum seed tray it is recommended to use a Quickpot 150Tas it has a lot of cells, which you need for this flower. 

  • Tagetes smalfliget - Appelsintagetes | Orange
  • Seed tray 150 compartments – QuickPot 150 T – STDSeed tray 150 compartments – QuickPot 150 T – STD

Pre-germination of tagetes with sprouts indoors

When you want to force the germination of Tagetes (marigolds) with the use of grow light, there are some steps and considerations that can help you achieve healthy plants.
Grow light can mimic sunlight to give plants the energy they need to grow, even indoors or during periods of limited natural light. Here's a guide on how you can do it:

1. Materials

  • Tagetes seeds: Select the variety you want to grow.
  • Seed soil: A light and well-drained soil is best for germination.
  • Sowing trays or pots: To sow the seeds in.
  • Grow lightLED or fluorescent grow lights are efficient. LED lights are more energy efficient and give off less heat.

2. Seeding

  1. Fill your seed trays or pots with soilMake sure the soil is moist, but not wet.
  2. Sow the seedsSow Tagetes seeds about 1 cm deep in the soil. Cover lightly with soil.
  3. Water gently: Use a nebuliser to avoid disturbing the seeds.

3. placement under Grolys

  • Distance to light: Place the seed trays or pots under the grow light. Make sure the light is approximately 30-40 cm above the plants to prevent heat damage.
  • Light periodLight requirements: Tagetes plants need about 14-16 hours of light per day. Use a timer to control the light automatically.

4. Care during germination

  • Keep the soil moist: Water lightly when the surface starts to dry out. Avoid overwatering.
  • Ventilation: Ensure good air circulation around plants to prevent mould and fungal diseases.
  • ThinningWhen the seedlings have a few true leaves, you can thin them out so that the strongest plants have room to grow.

5. Replanting

Once Tagetes plants are strong enough and the risk of frost has passed, they can be transplanted outdoors in the garden or in larger pots. Harden off the plants by gradually acclimatising them to outdoor conditions over a week before moving them permanently.

By following these steps and ensuring the right conditions when using grow lights, you can speed up the germination of Tagetes and enjoy beautiful flowers earlier in the season.

  • Grolys lamp w. full spectrum white light, 20Watt</trp-post-containerGrolys lamp w. full spectrum white light, 20Watt</trp-post-container
  • Grow light LED round pendant full-spectrum white lightGrow light LED round pendant full-spectrum white light
  • Grow light LED pendant 60° full spectrum white light SL250WGrow light LED pendant 60° full spectrum white light SL250W
  • 120W grow light bulb PAR30 E27 3500K (25Watt)120W grow light bulb PAR30 E27 3500K (25Watt)

Planting

Before you plant Tagetes in your garden, remember to harden them.
It's important to harden off the flowers so they can thrive in the open air. You can plant Tagetes from May when the risk of frost has passed. It's important to make sure that the newly planted Tagetes get enough water, but also to avoid flooding.

Passage

To get the best out of your tagetes, make sure you prune it regularly to remove wilted flowers and leaves. This will help promote new growth and ensure your tagetes stays healthy and beautiful all season long.

Challenges with snails

The biggest challenge when growing Tagetes is slugs and snails. They eat small, new plants, especially when you plant Tagetes directly in the garden. Therefore, it is recommended to place coffee grounds around newly planted Tagetes to prevent slugs from getting through. During the summer, slugs often lose interest in Tagetes, as there are other things that are more delicious for them to eat.

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FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

Tagetes, or marigolds, are prized for their ability to naturally repel pests and improve soil quality by fighting harmful nematodes. These flowers are also popular in gardens for their colourful and decorative value.

Yes, certain parts of tagetes (marigolds) are edible. The flower petals are edible and have a spicy to citrusy flavour that can add colour and flavour to salads, desserts and drinks. However, it's important to ensure that the flowers have not been treated with pesticides or other chemicals before consumption.

Marigolds, or marigolds, are primarily annuals and typically don't overwinter in cold climates as they die at the first frost. However, in warmer climates, they can survive the winter and bloom again the following year.

Tagetes, or marigolds, are predominantly annuals, meaning they usually live and flower within one year and then die. However, there are certain species or varieties that can behave as perennials in warmer climates, where they can survive and flower for several years. In most climates, however, they are considered annuals and must be sown every year.