Okay everyone,

With my second post to these forums, I figured I would bring up a topic that has haunted me in years past. Good old marigolds! Now, I have heard from every Tom, Dick AND Harry that these are supposed to be the easiest plants in the world to grow and maintain, but you know what?? Every year I manage to do a really bad job at keeping them, and then usually look really ragged and die before their time. Of course, when I first get them, they look gorgeous, mind you. Big, healthy plants with huge flower heads blooming on them. I just need to find out how to keep them that way.

I think what I will do first, is share with the class what I have done in the past, and maybe some of you can tell me what I have been doing wrong and perhaps suggest some changes in my routine. Okay, here goes....

Typically I plant them in small-medium flower boxes outdoors, and usually 2 plants per box. If I had to guess I would say that the boxes are about 8"H x 8"W x 18"L or something close to that. Any idea if these boxes are too small, even for two plants at a time?

I usually use simple potting soil for them, but I am thinking that I might need some sort of special soil for them to be able to thrive. Perhaps this has been a major mistake of mine in the past. Any specific suggestions as to exactly what type of soil I should be using to grow these in?

In the past, the sunlight seems to fry my marigolds rather quickly. I really need to prevent this from happening, so does anyone think I might be having some "watering issues"? I typically water them well every day, especially in very hot weather but it doesn't seem to keep them from looking really ragged and half dead at times. Do you think I could be running into a dual soil/water problem here? If so, what is the recommended amount that I should water the plants and at what frequency? Is it better to water in the morning or the evening?

Another big question in my mind... should I fertilize my plants?? In the past, I really haven't and again, this might be a problem. If I should be fertilizing, what exact fertilizer should I use and how often do the plants need it?

That's about all I can think of for the moment. If anyone has any other suggestions beyond the topics I have brought up that would help me succeed in growing these plants, I would greatly appreciate it! I just want them to look as awesome for several months as they do the day I bring them home from the greenhouse.

Thanks a lot!

--Jeff H.

Hi Jeff,
Ok, marigolds are pretty easy to maintain as long as you follow some simple steps...first off, I wouldn't suggest watering when the sun is blazing...that will fry the plants. Wait until it is a bit cooler in the early evening. Also fertilizer & compost is important to any plant, they need to be fed to bloom well. I would suggest just before planting marigolds in soil, mix in a plant food containing timed-release fertilizer and extra phosphorous, such as 11-40-6. The extra phosphorous will help the plants develop extensive roots. Do not use a high nitrogen fertilizer, as it will make them big & leafy but with little blooming. When growing marigolds in containers, fertilize them monthly by sprinkling a teaspoon of fertilizer per plant on top of the soil in the pots and watering well. Also, pinch off faded blooms before they have a chance to form seeds. This will help plants stay fresh and continue blooming.

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z5b

Hi again Jeff I use Colorburst flowering plant food 11-40-6. You can pick it up at most farm supply stores, Lowe's, Home Depot, or many other stores & nurseries. I get a 3.5 lb bag for about $5.00. Can't wait to hear how your marigolds do

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z5b

Okay,

First of all... Happy Mother's Day to all the moms on here! Secondly, I thought I would go ahead and update my thread on marigolds since I finally purchased some today. Today was the big flower show in the city where I live and I purchased a flat of large, yellow African marigolds. Then, taking the advice of some other posters on this thread, I went to my local Home Depot and purchased some Miracle Gro potting soil that is enriched with Miracle Gro plant food. Then I looked over the various plant food/fertilizers that they have and I decided on Miracle Gro Bloom Booster Flower Food.

Now, my question... did I choose the correct food/fertilizer in this case? I figured since these type of marigolds have such huge blooms that I would try out this Bloom Booster and see if that worked well. Now, I understand that I am supposed to wait about 3 weeks or so before I start using the Bloom Booster, as the soil I purchased is supposed to be sufficient until that time. Any recommendations here?

Other than that, I just need to plant them in my flower boxes and hopefully this season things will go a little better for me overall. Now, I just need to remember not to water them during the afternoon in the blazing sun.

--Jeff H.

I am having some marigold woes of my own. The plants are doing exceptionally well. I started them from seeds back in April and they are at about 1 1/2 feet in height. This is the crackerjack type that can get pretty big. But, I have yet to see a single bloom!
I did try to thin them out today and found that despite the spacing there were roots everywhere. I had about 8-10 plants in a 3 foot wide planter box and have thinned it to about 5 in that space. I did notice some wilting recently but I have increased watering and they have picked up nicely.
So, after that long winded comment my question is this:
Am I just not waiting long enough for blooms or should I provide more space or a plant food to encourage them? If so, which food would be optimum?

Thanks in advance!

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1st year gardeners :-D

Mitch and Rachael