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Marigold germination

Discussion in 'Propagation This Month' started by Fat Controller, Apr 2, 2013.

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  1. Fat Controller

    Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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    I have sown shed loads of marigolds this year, and so far the germination rate seems to be really quite high, however I am a bit concerned at the length of the sprouts that have shot up - they seem really leggy to me, with two wee cotyledon leaves at the top. I am seeing the beginnings of 'actual' leaves in the V in between the leaves, but the stems are standing about an inch up from the surface of the compost?
     
    Fat Controller, Apr 2, 2013
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  2. Antonig

    Antonig Apprentice Gardener

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    Wouldn't worry too much about anything leggy at this time of the year. Light levels are on the up so I'd leave well alone for a couple more weeks then pot on leaving just a small amount of stem showing. Maybe other members have better ideas, but that would be my take on leggy plants.
     
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      Antonig, Apr 2, 2013
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    • Annemieke

      Annemieke Gardener

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      Never worry about marigolds, once you have them you always will. They don't need mollycoddling. Not if they are the plain pot marigold anyway.
      I grow those not only for their lovely colour, but for their lutein content which (like the day lily, see that particular thread) is very good for your eyesight amongst other things. I collect the petals and dry them and add them to my food throughout the winter. See www.livestrong.com/article/444206-health-benefits-of-marigold-flowers/
       
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        Annemieke, Apr 2, 2013
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      • Fat Controller

        Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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        Thanks :) Mine are French and African Marigolds (I guesstimate that I have sown around 200-250 of them), and am looking to use them for both companion planting with my tomatoes, as well as plentiful front-of-border cover :)
         
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          Fat Controller, Apr 2, 2013
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        • joolz68

          joolz68 Total Gardener

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          Can i ask please..are calendula a type of marigold?
           
          joolz68, Apr 2, 2013
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        • Spruce

          Spruce Glad to be back .....

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          yes
           
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          • Freddy

            Freddy Miserable git, well known for it

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            I wouldn't worry too much. As I recall (been a while since I grew them), they are a bit like that:blue thumb:
             
            Freddy, Apr 2, 2013
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          • joolz68

            joolz68 Total Gardener

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            Ive got some germinated then ..:) Tall ones(orange&yellow) :dunno: and sunset buff which i collected from seed last yr :)
             
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              joolz68, Apr 2, 2013
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            • Spruce

              Spruce Glad to be back .....

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              • Kristen

                Kristen Under gardener

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                When I prick Marigolds out (well, any seedling really) I bury the stem up to the seed leaves which takes care of an inch or more of "stem".
                 
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                  Kristen, Apr 3, 2013
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                • Fat Controller

                  Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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                  Thanks all - I am now trying to work out the most cost effective way to prick them out - I have the majority in seed trays at the moment, and am wondering about pricking them out into 24 cell tray inserts?

                  My thinking is that these should be big enough to support them until they are planted out, whereas the 40 cell inserts would be too small?
                   
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                    Fat Controller, Apr 3, 2013
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                  • Spruce

                    Spruce Glad to be back .....

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                    FC

                    Sounds good the 24 , plus a chance if a bit leggy to drop them down to reduce the height a bit .
                     
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                    • Freddy

                      Freddy Miserable git, well known for it

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                      Hiya FC.

                      When I grew them, they didn't hang about! I found that 3" pots were about right.

                      Edit : I'm talking African Marigolds
                       
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                      • Fat Controller

                        Fat Controller 'Cuddly' Scottish Admin! Staff Member

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                        I have a mixture of African and French, but have done my usual and over-sowed in case germination was poor - I would guesstimate that I have around 400 viable seedlings at the moment.

                        I will almost certainly not plant this amount out, but don't wish to cull any as I will pass them on to neighbours etc.

                        I had a look at 3" pots the other day in the garden centre, but they were a bit pricey to be honest - £4 for 20, hence thinking of the 24-cell inserts?
                         
                        Fat Controller, Apr 3, 2013
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                      • Freddy

                        Freddy Miserable git, well known for it

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                        Hiya FC.

                        Without knowing the volume of those cells compared to a 3" pot, I can't say whether or not they will suffice. My guess it that they are plenty big enough for French Marigolds. I just checked again, it says they are around 2" square...they might be ok.
                         
                        Freddy, Apr 3, 2013
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