The Truth About Marigolds?

[heirloomgal]

I am thinking of doing a small marigold grow out this summer and trying to find info about cross pollination possibly occurring between them. Looking into this led me to several online articles saying almost all marigolds are hybrids?? Can this be true? In particular, the Gem marigolds, a type I've already bought called Tangerine Dream. This seems hard to imagine that EVERY marigold is a hybrid? Trying to find info about OP marigolds and then the possibility of them crossing (if there is an OP marigold) is turning up not much to say the least, or contradictory info.

Many of the places here that sell marigold seed are growing their own flowers to do that, so I don't see how all marigolds will not come true from seed? Any ideas?

 

[meadow]

I do not know the answer, and am a little more confused today than usual... but I do know that Wild Garden Seed carries a few marigolds and I do not think they carry any hybrids.

 

[baymule]

Plant them and see. I love marigolds, they are so bright and cheery.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I don't see how all marigolds will not come true from seed? Any ideas?

Just thinking out loud and not having any specific knowledge about breeding marigolds.

In Arkansas I grew marigolds and saved seeds. The original seeds I got were called "French" marigolds and came in various colors and patterns. Most were solid yellow or orange but a few had patterns involving red, if I remember right the word "sparkle" was involved with the pattern. I'd plant them in the garden more as divider markers than for any other benefits. When the garden died down in the fall I'd have huge mounds of bright color.
Photos, people like photos. When I set the plants out I'd already know what the colors were as they were already blooming. I mixed colors in the "mound" just for the contrast. You can see some zinnias in there too. I thought the flowers were pretty.

When I saved the seeds I'd save them by color, even if I had different colors in the same mound. When I planted the seeds I'd plant them in different areas to get transplants. The majority of the plants produced flowers the same color and pattern I planted but there were a few outliers, cross pollination did occur. After a couple of years I didn't even have to save and start seeds, I'd get a lot of volunteers. Some people might consider them invasive.

Marigolds come in different types or styles. Some are tall and rangy, some more compact, some "dwarf". Those characteristics stayed true with mine but I only had the one type. If I were growing different types I'd suspect some cross pollination would go on there too.

I don't know what the word "hybrid" means as far as those named marigolds. If they are crossing growth habits then you would get a mix from the seeds. If they are looking for disease resistance or drought tolerance you'd get a mix from the seeds. If they are crossing colors to get a specific color or pattern you'd get a mix, just like any hybrid.

Here in the US I'd chat with the extension service, especially if I wanted to save the seeds commercially though they'd probably put me in contact with an expert at a university if I just asked. I don't know if your agricultural ministry has something like that. Or you might try contacting whoever is supplying and growing the seeds to see what they have to say. They may give up some trade secrets.

 

[ducks4you]

Growing Marigolds from Seed and Cross Pollination – Toronto Master Gardeners

www.torontomastergardeners.ca

 

[heirloomgal]

Thanks everyone! @Ridgerunner that was a good tidbit of advice to reach out to the grower and hope for trade secrets. I had sort of given up hope communicating even through email with seed vendors in any way in the last couple years since the seed thing went boom, but I happened to get lucky with the people selling these seeds.

Yes, it turns out that a lot of this 'all marigolds are hybrids' stuff is not true and it's a 'customer return again' angle. He's been growing for years the marigold flowers he sells seed from and reports the exact same thing as you have here, they mostly stay the same year to year, with just a small number showing a bit of crossing. I'm sort of amazed that such a common flower as marigolds would have so few varieties circulating with the OP designation, when many if not most of them are. Well, I'm happy to know that I can save the seeds!

 

[Jack Holloway]

@heirloomgal If you want taller, old kind of varieties, check Peace Seedlings. They have a few that have been selected over the years. I think they have both French and African kinds. Not sure what shipping across the border is like, but if you need help, pm me.