We grow calendula on the site: features of planting seedlings
Spring is the time to plant not only garden crops, but also flowers. Calendula is no exception. Many flower growers sow it with seeds at the very beginning of spring (and even before autumn), however, the seedling method is also widely used.
Moreover, in marigold there is one advantage - it reproduces well by self-seeding. By sowing seeds or planting seedlings of a plant once, you can no longer worry about planting it for many years.
It should be borne in mind that calendula inhibits the growth of corn, radish, basil and melons, therefore, it is better to let it "run" and sow self-sowing only in flower beds.
What are the advantages of the seedling method?
Planting calendula seedlings is more suitable when you first need to decide on the main crops in the flower bed, which take up more space and which are emphasized in the flower arrangement. Calendula plays a secondary role here, complementing the range or highlighting it.
It is also worth giving preference to ready-made seedlings if the calendula is grown in order to protect it from pests. So, this plant just loves aphids. Of course, for the calendula itself, this is not very good, but for fruit trees, joint planting is the best option to protect them from harmful insects. The aphids will feast on the calendula growing in the near-stem circle, and she will no longer care about cherries and apple trees. Also for this purpose, calendula is planted between roses and on eggplant and pepper beds.
When and how to plant seedlings?
As soon as up to 5 true leaves are formed on the seedlings, you can transplant it to a permanent place. This is very easy to do:
- prepare holes in a chosen place (on a flower bed or between vegetable beds), the size of which should correspond to a coma of earth, braided by plant roots;
- carefully remove the seedling from the cup along with the soil;
- set the seedlings in the hole and sprinkle with earth, slightly wrinkling it around the seedling;
- it is good to shed and cover with mulch.
If the seedlings are stretched out, you can deepen them into the soil to the very leaves.
Calendula grows into a rather powerful bush, so the distance between the holes should be at least 25 cm.
Where to plant?
Calendula is very fond of the sun, so you should not plant it in the shade - there the bushes will stretch out, in addition, this will affect flowering. The soil should be fertile and light, the flower will not grow in clay.
On poor soils, the plant will not disappear, but it will lose its appearance. Instead of a lush bush, a single elongated shoot with several flowers will grow there. If there is no other option, it is worth taking care of fertilization.