Marigolds

[obsessed]

So I was planning my spring garden and was wondering about Marigolds. Is there a certain variety that works best at keeping the bugs away or is a marigold a marigold and any will work. I also just got the Parks catelogue and they have like pages devoted to marigold! So which should I chose?

 

[digitS']

It's the soil nematodes; that's all I know about, O.

There's a Mexican marigold (Tagetes minuta) that is mentioned by the researchers but I think that the French marigolds are what gardeners usually grow with their nematode-vulnerable plants.

Here's a link to a Mexican seed source. Park Seed specializes in marigolds . . . look to see if they have that Tagetes minuta. Altho', I don't suppose it is the most attractive.

Some gardeners will plant the smaller marigolds in a circle around their tomato plants.

Steve

 

[journey11]

My mom had some of the most wonderful marigolds when I was a kid. She had a variety she called "Snowball", but I haven't been able to find any for sale. They are a shorter plant, about 12"-18" tall with 3" wide moon-like double blooms. I would love to have some in my flower beds...if only I could find them!

I had some nice dwarf border type red/gold ones this year. I'll definitely do them again. Most of what I grew in my garden were very tall (thanks to goat manure). I had to beat them back because they grew taller than my staked tomato plants and threatened to choke them. They were so pretty though... I love the ones with big double pom-pom blooms.

They're really easy to grow too (all marigolds). The chickens liked to nibble on the young foliage, but never wiped them out.

As far as I know, any marigold will keep soil nematodes at bay. I think it is their heavy scent they dislike. I don't believe I've ever had much trouble with nematodes anyway. I just like marigolds for cut flowers!

 

[obsessed]

I tried like three packs of marigolds this last year and got none to germinate. But I am more of a seed killer than a seed grower.

 

[lesa]

If you put those seeds in the ground and forget about them, I can just about promise you they will grow... I planted them in my veggie garden early in the spring, wherever there was bare ground. By mid-summer I had bouquets of them blooming everywhere!! The only issue you might have is water- we had plenty this year. Once they are established they are very drought resistant though.. I think they do help with pests, and they look really nice! Every year when I plant them, I think they aren't going to germinate, then right when I stop worrying about them, they come up! Think spring!

 

[ducks4you]

There's a Mexican marigold (Tagetes minuta) that is mentioned by the researchers but I think that the French marigolds are what gardeners usually grow with their nematode-vulnerable plants.

Here's a link to a Mexican seed source. Park Seed specializes in marigolds . . . look to see if they have that Tagetes minuta. Altho', I don't suppose it is the most attractive.

Thanks for the link. I was Googling images and found this:
http://images.google.com/imgres?img...&prev=/images?q=marigolds+flowers&gbv=2&hl=en
I remember seeing late 19th century/early 20th century renderings with this Marigold, the one with deep reddish-orange, yellow-tipped petals. Very pretty. I, too would be interested in a Marigold that grows, shorter and looks more like a bedding plant.

 

[Broke Down Ranch]

For marigolds to work against soil nematodes you have to plant the marigolds as a cover crop before planting your veggies or whatever you are planning on planting....


http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ng045

 

[Lavender2]

I like Marigolds for their long constant bloom, and they attract pollinators and other beneficial insects. They may also repel some insect pests.
Nematodes will not feed or breed on Marigolds, so planting them (verses other types of flowers) in or near vegetables and other susceptible plants will at least not assist the enemy. The only type to avoid is Signet, I think.

The taller large flower varieties put on a beautiful show but, even with careful deadheading, tend to disappoint me before the season is over... and they take up a lot of growing space.
Janie varieties and Tiger Eyes have been impressive for me for many years, the first items on my order! But I may just HAVE to try a Mumsy this year... :happy_flower

More neat nematode knowledge

 

[obsessed]

Any advise on Marigold seed starting? I have so far been ineffective in getting anything to germinate.

 

[Hattie the Hen]

I think lesa's advice ( #5) is the best. I think by next Spring you will start to see the seedlings arrive. They do seem to do best when they self seed in my experience. I don't think they like very sodden soil conditions & we have had a huge amount of rain (here, at least) this year. Have you tried getting them started in pots filled with a mixture of soil & grit. You would have to water the young seedling until they are strong enough to plant out.

:rose Hattie :rose