Magnificent marigolds: planting and care

South America has given birth to many magnificent plants due to its climate. Many of them later spread throughout the world. One of such plants is tagetes. Mysterious and unusual name remained in the bowels of selection science, and flower growers-lovers dubbed it in their own way. Gently and with great love they call these flowers marigolds for the pleasant velvety petals. He is known for a wide range of flower lovers for more than four hundred years. In those distant times, the Aztecs and Maya used it as a spice, adding to food; As a medicinal plant for healing diseases; In religious rituals, giving tales to magical properties. They knew that planting and grooming were rather simple for the plant "marigolds".

They became popular in our country due to their unpretentiousness, minimal maintenance, simplicity of cultivation, splendor and duration of flowering. These magnificent flowers can be found everywhere. Decorate them with squares, parks and gardens, plant streets, planted in the front gardens and flower gardens of houses. By now, about 50 different species of marigolds have been removed. They can be grown even in pots on balconies, decorating the interior of the loggias.

Marigolds are fond of flower growers. Planting and nursing are not difficult, since they multiply well by seeds. Good germination is guaranteed for three to four years. Seeds are sown in open ground to a depth of 1.5-2.5 centimeters at the end of April or early May. For the reproduction of flowers "marigolds" the seedlings are also well suited. Sowing in this case is carried out at the end of March. Well-moistened loamy soils are best suited for these plants. When digging a bed, you can make fertilizer: organic, mineral or mixed. It should be avoided only nitrogen in its composition.

Marigolds, depending on the species, may be short, medium or high. Variation of growth - from 20 centimeters to one and a half meters. It is easy for a plant to "plant" a planting, and care is also quite simple. Abundant watering should be done twice a week. Especially to strengthen the moistening is necessary before flowering, since the plant needs additional forces in this period.

Marigolds are very useful. The healing properties of these plants have long been known. They are used in medicine for the prevention and treatment of fever and shit, elimination of constipation, as a diuretic. Do not underestimate the culinary properties of tagetas. The leaves of this plant are added to salads, used for marinade, in dried and ground form are added to flour products and soups. Dried flower baskets give the food a pleasant golden hue. Essential oils of marigolds are often used as a natural flavor. Another important advantage of this plant is its ability to disinfect the soil due to the substances released by its roots. This same substance repels pests both from the flower itself and from neighboring plants.

Decorative floriculture can boast such varieties of these plants as anise, French, thin-leaved. In these specimens of the plant, "marigolds" planting and care are also not complicated.