Content
Calendula is a colorful flower known for its medicinal and decorative powers. Despite the variegated colors, the plant has sufficient frost resistance for growing in the Russian climate. However, in winter the bushes are covered. Planting calendula on seedlings or in open ground is everyone’s choice. The main thing is to follow the recommendations of experienced gardeners. In this case, seedlings will not be long in coming, and the sprouts will quickly grow stronger.
What do calendula seeds look like?
Calendula is a herbaceous plant belonging to the Asteraceae family. It has several straight, strong stems that proudly rise above the ground. The height of the plant varies: some varieties reach 90 cm, while others are comparatively more modest in size.
To prevent self-seeding, calendula fruits are harvested as early as August.
The rod structure of the roots of calendula seedlings allows them to absorb maximum moisture from the soil. The roots are covered with microscopic villi, which makes them pleasant to the touch.When growing calendula from seeds, the flowers will open into baskets.
The petals are yellow, light brown or orange in color. The plant acquires a decorative appearance at the beginning of summer. The flowering period is long - until September. Externally, the seeds look like animal claws, which is why they are called marigolds. Ripening begins in July and lasts until the arrival of the first frost.
When to sow calendula seeds for seedlings
The timing of sowing calendula seedlings depends on the climate. For example, in Siberia, work is carried out mainly in April, while in the Moscow region planting is carried out in March. In any case, they rely on the forecasts of meteorologists.
How to plant calendula seeds for seedlings
Sowing of medicinal herbs takes place quickly, without any significant problems. The culture is quite unpretentious, and the gardener only needs to follow the already drawn up rules.
Soil preparation
Before planting calendula seeds, you need to prepare the soil. For seedlings, select a nutrient substrate that is moderately loose and moist. Purchased soil is mixed with perlite and watered. You can use your own soil: take some garden soil, add peat and sand to it - you will get an excellent substrate in which the sprouts will safely spend their “childhood”.
Selection of capacity
Growing calendula seedlings requires the presence of a container. Both a container and a small box are suitable for this.
Regardless of the dishes, it is necessary to make drainage holes if there were none initially
Many recommend individual or peat glasses, small 200 ml pots. Just as in the case of soil, the container should be disinfected. You can use an antiseptic or any fungicide.
Seed selection and preparation
Sowing calendula seedlings is easy, even beginners can practice this. The seeds do not require stratification, however, they should be processed. To do this, take a glass and pour 100 ml of plain water (room temperature) into it. Then add two drops of Epin and immerse the calendula marigolds. Soak for 3-4 hours.
After treatment, future seedlings will become strong and resistant to most types of fungi. In addition, after the procedure, calendula grows faster and sprouts earlier.
Scheme for sowing calendula for seedlings
To grow calendula from seeds, follow simple instructions. First of all, a drainage layer (15-20 mm thick) is placed at the bottom of the container, which will subsequently remove excess liquid. After this, the pot is filled with prepared soil, leaving 2-3 cm of free space on top.
The soil is moistened with warm water, leveled and holes are dug (1-1.5 cm). After sowing the seeds, the calendula is covered with the remaining soil and the seedlings are re-wetted with a spray bottle.
After sowing, the pot is covered with film, turning the container into a kind of greenhouse. It is placed on the windowsill, not forgetting about the danger of direct sunlight and covering the window with a newspaper.
Optimum temperature – 24 °C
Further care of seedlings
Young seedlings do not require special care.After sowing, it is enough to water the calendula on time and do not forget about fertilizing. A separate point worth considering is the lighting and temperature at which the crop is grown.
Temperature
Growing medicinal calendula from seeds is fraught with risk if you do not know about the standards for its content. To avoid rot, the container must be ventilated. This is done every day, removing the film for 1-2 hours. When the seedlings appear, the greenhouse can be removed.
Lighting
The brightness of the flower reflects its love for the color of the sun. In the early stages, they try to avoid direct rays, covering the window if possible. If the window sill is located on the north side, use phytolamps. Illuminate for 12 hours.
When the shelter is removed, the calendula seedlings can be transferred to a sunny windowsill. The plant will have adapted sufficiently and will not be afraid of ultraviolet radiation.
Watering and fertilizing
In addition to temperature and sunlight, the gardener needs to pay attention to the frequency of watering. It should be moistened as the top layer dries. A dense crust should not be allowed to form. The first watering is carried out immediately after sowing - it should be abundant, but at the same time moderate. Don't turn the seedlings into a puddle.
Experts recommend adding nitroammophoska to irrigation water twice a month.
No fertilizing is applied after sowing. Gardeners recommend using them 1.5 weeks before transplanting to a permanent site. Humic or mineral (multicomponent) compositions are used as additives. Instructions are given on the packaging of the drugs.Timely fertilizer will help grow healthy flowers from marigolds (seeds), and will also make it easier to plant in open ground.
Picking
After sowing seedlings, many people wonder whether they need to be pruned. In fact, calendula does not like this procedure; it is better to avoid it altogether. But if the gardener sowed the seeds in a common container, picking will still be required.
When the calendula forms two leaves, it is transplanted into separate pots or glasses. The main thing is to be careful. There is no need to destroy the earthen ball, otherwise it will be more difficult for the roots to grow. It is advisable to use primer of identical composition in a new container. After 1.5 weeks, the calendula is fertilized with liquid fertilizer for garden plants.
When and how to plant in open ground
Immediately after sowing, seedlings are not transplanted - they will not cope with such stress. The transfer should be in the first ten days of June, but the timing may vary depending on the weather in the region. The soil must be warm. Return frosts can disturb the calendula, so it is better to wait them out and only then sow.
1.5 weeks before the start of work, the seedlings are hardened off - the pot is taken out into the open air. First, the container is set for an hour, then the time is constantly increased. On the last day, the calendula is kept outside all night (if the owner does not expect cold weather).
A cloudy day is chosen for sowing in the garden. Find a place protected from wind and groundwater. A month before planting calendula seedlings, the soil is dug up and, if necessary, fertilized. To begin work, holes are dug.
The depth of the holes should be twice the length of the roots
Before sowing, calendula is irrigated abundantly to make it easier to remove.At the same time, they try to leave the earthen lump intact. The seedlings are carefully transferred, the clods are placed in the dug holes and covered with the same soil. After this, the planting is watered again (the water should be warm).
Further care is almost no different from caring for seedlings. The only thing you have to take into account is the influence of external factors - wind, lighting, temperature, precipitation. During the hot season, the soil should not be allowed to dry out, otherwise the flowers will not bloom.
Once a month, complex fertilizers are used (applied in liquid form). In the first half of summer, the emphasis is on nitrogenous elements, and by the end of July they switch to potassium and phosphorus. To improve the absorption of nutrients, the soil is loosened. Weeding is carried out as weeds appear.
Conclusion
Before planting calendula seedlings, you need to prepare a pot with soil. For preventive purposes, it is sterilized with antiseptics or other chemicals. Before sowing, it is necessary to treat the seeds - soak them in Epin solution. After all the preparatory procedures, planting begins. It is carried out according to the instructions given.
