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Plant or transplant young marigold plants outdoors after all danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed and dried out a bit. French and signet types can be planted anytime through midsummer but the tall American marigolds are best planted right away in the spring because they are slower to mature.
How big should marigold seedlings be before transplanting?
Seedlings can be transplanted when 2 inches tall. When transplanting marigolds purchased at a nursery, dig and loosen the soil about 6 inches down, with the final planting hole just slightly larger than the rootball.
Can I separate marigold seedlings?
Separate your seedlings when they’re two inches (5 cm.) tall. When all chance of frost has passed, you can transplant your marigolds outside. If you’re planting marigold seeds outdoors, pick a location that receives full sun.
Can you bury leggy marigold seedlings?
You can absolutely bury the stems. They will root all along the buried stem just like tomatoes.
Can you plant marigold seedlings deep?
A 5-10-5 works fine. Moisten the soil, then sow seeds 1 inch apart and no more than 1 inch deep. While still small, thin the seedlings.
How long can seedlings stay in trays?
Seedlings otherwise can become root-bound if not given adequate space for the roots. Typically, after sowing the seeds, the cell trays are used for around 3-4 weeks before transplanting occurs – whether it be to an outdoor plot or into a larger container.
Do marigolds transplant well?
They respond well to transplanting and will quickly establish a productive new root system if planted after the soil warms in spring. However, as hardy annuals, marigolds will tolerate light frost and can be transplanted as early as March within U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 8 to 10.
What happens if you don’t Thin seedlings?
Thinning seedlings helps them develop and grow stronger and faster. Seedlings not thinned have small stems and a leggy appearance. When seedlings grow in a tight cluster (crowded plants) they fight for light and grow spindly.
What are true leaves on seedlings?
A “true” leaf is one that can perform photosynthesis, the process plants use to make their own food. When a seedling sprouts, the first leaves that appear are not “true” leaves, but rather “cotyledons” or seed leaves. They sometimes still have the seed coat on their tip as they grow upwards.
Why are my marigold seedlings leggy?
They will adjust to their new homes easier if they are younger. Keep growing marigold seedlings in a moderate temperature, as excess heat can cause too fast of a growth spurt, creating a thin and leggy plant.
How do you fix leggy marigold seedlings?
Shear or pinch back leggy, poorly producing marigolds at midseason to force a new flush of healthy growth and blooms. Remove up to a third of the marigold’s height, making the cuts near a leaf or bud. Shearing back forces a flush of new growth and bud production.
How do you make marigolds bushier?
START WITH A PINCH Pinching the tips of growing stems stops, at least temporarily, their growth, in so doing coaxing growth of side shoots. The result: bushier plants. Even though plants such as lavatera, marigold and zinnia are naturally bushy, pinching the tips of their stems makes them more so.
What is the seed spacing of a marigold?
Seeds sown directly into the garden about 1-inch apart sprout within days in warm weather and plants bloom in about 8 weeks. For best results, thin or transplant young marigolds while they are still small, spacing French and Signet types 8 to 10 inches apart.
Do marigolds need full sun?
When & Where to Plant Marigolds Light: Full sun, to partial shade. Soil: Marigolds prefer fertile soil, preferably loose and loamy with adequate drainage, yet can also tolerate dry conditions. Spacing: Sow seeds directly in the garden 1-inch apart, or in seed trays to transplant with root system is established.
How far apart do you plant marigolds?
In planting beds, space African marigolds 10 to 12 inches apart, while French marigolds should be 8 to 10 inches apart. If you’re planting marigolds into containers, use a pot that’s at least 10 inches across for African and larger French types.
How tall should seedlings be before transplanting?
As noted above, make sure that your seedling is about 2-3 inches high before transplanting. We also recommend transplanting a seedling after its two “true leaves” first come out. True leaves are the leaves that grow after the initial seed’s cotyledon leaves come out.
What preparation must be done before transplanting the seedlings?
Broadcast pre-germinated seeds in thoroughly puddled and leveled soil. Construct drainage canals for proper water removal. Add organic manure (decompose) and a small amount of inorganic fertilizer as basal dressing. This increases seed vigor and allows easier uprooting for transplanting.
What happens if you transplant seedlings too early?
If you put them out before they are ready, they may have a hard time surviving the elements. If you wait too long, your seedling may become pot bound in its original container.
How do you repot marigolds?
Be sure the container has a drainage hole in the bottom. Use a good quality, lightweight potting mix. A handful of sand, perlite or vermiculite improves drainage. Place the pot where the marigold is exposed to at least six hours of sunlight.
Do marigolds come back every year?
Do Marigolds Come Back Every Year? The most common types of marigolds for garden planting are annuals. This means that they sprout, flower and die within the same year. However, the flowers do tend to come back the following year due largely to their ability to self-seed.
Do marigolds need a lot of water?
Watering Established Plants Established marigolds in garden beds need a good soak once each week. Give them enough water so that the soil is moist to a depth of 6 to 8 inches. If the weather is unusually hot or windy, they’ll need extra water. Water marigolds in pots when the top 1 to 2 inches of soil is dry.
