Marigold is one of the most popular, annual, free flowering, and short-duration flowering crops. These flowers are known for their vibrant orange and yellow blooms, which add a cheerful touch to gardens and landscapes. Marigolds are native to Mexico and Central America but are now grown worldwide. In India, major marigold-growing states are Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. They are widely grown for their use in various religious and cultural ceremonies. In addition to their ornamental value, marigolds are also known for their medicinal and culinary uses. Commonly cultivated marigold species are African marigold (Tall) and French marigold (Dwarf). Marigold cultivation is an important source of income for many farmers in India.
Vernacular names of Marigold in India
Genda flower (Hindi), Banti puvvu (Telugu), Samanthi flower (Tamil), Chendu Hoovu (Kannada), Jamandhi (Malayalam), Gainda (Bengali), Jhendu (Marathi).
Climate and Soil Requirements of Marigold
Marigold requires a mild climate for profuse growth and flowering. The optimum temperature range for its growth is 18 – 20˚C. Higher temperatures (> 35 ˚C) can restrict plant growth leading to a reduction in flower size and number. Plants and flowers may get damaged due to severe frost during winter.
Marigold can be grown in a wide range of soil, as it is adaptable to different soil conditions. However, a well-drained loamy soil with a soil pH of 7 – 7.5 is considered ideal. Avoid marigold cultivation in acidic and alkaline soil.
Varieties/Types Of Marigold
Varieties | Seeds in BigHaat store |
African Marigold | African marigold double orange seeds, NS African marigold seeds, NS African marigold F1 vanilla white, NS African marigold majestic yellow seeds, African double yellow marigold seeds, NS African marigold F1 Inca mix |
French Marigold | French marigold, Sarpan hybrid French marigold (SFR), IRIS hybrid flower French marigold scarlet seeds |
To find more marigold seeds click here
Sowing Time of Marigold Seeds
Marigolds can be grown throughout the year.
Planting season | Sowing time | Transplanting time | Flowering time | Remarks |
Summer | Jan – Feb | Feb – Mar | Mid-May – Jul | Due to high temperature, the size of flowers will be smaller. Good returns were obtained due to higher market demand. |
Rainy | Mid-Jun | Mid-Jul | Mid-Sept – Nov | Due to higher market demand, crops fetch good prices. |
Winter | Mid – Sept | Mid-Oct | Mid-Jan | Profuse blooming, best quality flowers, and high yield per unit area but low market rates. |
Seed rate of Marigold
500 – 800 gm/acre
Nursery Preparation
Marigolds are usually propagated through seeds. Before sowing, treat the seeds by mixing 10 ml of Azospirillum in a cold jaggery solution and evenly coat it on the seed surface. Prepare nursery beds of convenient length, 75 cm width, and 10 – 20 cm height. Apply a sufficient quantity of well-rotten FYM and mix them properly with the soil. Sow the seeds in rows 5 cm apart. The depth of the sowing should be 2 – 3 cm. Cover the seeds with FYM or fine sand and then give light irrigation with a rose can. The seeds will germinate within 4 – 5 days after sowing. Seedlings will be ready for transplanting after one month of sowing.
Main field Preparation and Transplanting
Plough the field to a fine tilth and then incorporate 10 tonnes of FYM for a one-acre field. The field should be irrigated before sowing. Seedlings can be used for transplanting after 1 month of sowing or when they have 4 – 5 leaves. Transplant the seedlings in the main field on one side of the ridge at 45 cm between the row and 45 cm within the row for the African Marigold type and 30 cm between the row and 30 cm within the row in the case of French Marigold.
(NOTE: Transplanting can be done in the evening when the temperature is relatively low)
Fertilizer Requirement for Marigold
The general dose of fertilizer recommendation for marigold is 36:36:30 kg/acre of NPK.
Nutrient | Fertilizer | Dosage (per acre) | Time of application |
Organic | FYM | 10 ton | During the last ploughing |
Katyayani Activated Humic acid (Improves uptake of nutrients and trace elements) | Foliar: 1 gm/lit water | 1st spray: 15 days after sowing
Continue spraying at 10 – 12 days intervals till flowering |
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N | Urea | 39 kg | Basal |
39 kg | Top dressing (45 days after planting) | ||
P | Single Super Phosphate (SSP) | 225 kg | Basal |
K | Muriate of Potash (MOP) | 50 kg | Basal |
Essential nutrients (Major, Secondary & micronutrients) | Multiplex Flower Booster (Increases size and number of flowers) | Foliar: 4 gm/lit water | 1st spray: 25 – 30 days after transplanting.
2 to 3 sprays at 20 days interval |
Seaweed extract | Bioprime’s prime 7525 (Enhances foliage growth and induces more flowering) | Foliar: 2 ml/lit water | 1st spray: At the onset of flowering
2 to 3 sprays at 15 – 20 days intervals |
Irrigation
Irrigation should be done immediately after transplanting. Avoid water shortage during vegetative growth as it may hamper plant growth and consequently flowering. The frequency of irrigation mainly depends on soil type and season. In the winter season, irrigation can be given at 8 – 10 days intervals while in the summer season, irrigation can be given at 4-5 days intervals. Water logging conditions should be avoided. A constant supply of moisture should be maintained from bud formation to the harvesting stage to avoid water stress.
Intercultural Practices
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Earthing up
Earthing up is usually done 3 – 4 weeks after transplanting to improve plant stability, promote better drainage, and prevent weed growth.
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Weed Management
The field should be maintained in free weed condition for the profuse growth of the plants. Weeding should be done as and when required. Generally, 4 – 6 manual weeding is necessary during the growth period.
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Pinching
It involves the removal of apical buds which stimulates lateral branching and results in a more bushy and compact plant with more flowers. It delays flowering but results in the production of more flowers. Pinching is recommended to be done after 40 days of transplanting. The apical bud can be removed by pinching it off with the thumb and forefinger or using a sharp knife or scissors.
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Staking
It involves providing support to tall plants to prevent them from lodging due to the weight of the flowers or strong winds. Tall plants of African-type marigolds need to be stacked with bamboo sticks for support.
Plant Protection Practices
Pests of Marigold
Major Pests | Damage Symptoms | Control Measures |
Mealy bug |
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Aphids |
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Red spider mite |
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Beetles and Weevils |
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Leaf hoppers |
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Thrips |
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Leaf miners |
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Diseases affecting Marigold plant
Major Diseases | Damage Symptoms | Control Measures |
Damping off |
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Powdery mildew |
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Wilt and Stem rot |
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Collar rot |
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Leaf spot and Blight |
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Flower Bud rot |
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Botrytis blight / Gray mold |
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Harvesting
Marigold flowers are ready for harvest when they have attained their full size, which is typically about 2.5 months after the day of transplanting. After the first harvest, the plant continues to bear flowers for another 2 – 2.5 months. Flowers are to be plucked once in 3 days to improve the yield. Harvesting should be done in the cooler part of the day, viz., either morning or late evening hours. Flowers should be picked along with the portion of stalk. In order to prolong the vase life of marigold flowers after harvest, it is recommended to irrigate the field before harvesting the flowers. But overwatering should be prevented as it can make the flowers become heavy and soft, making them susceptible to damage.
For local market transportation, fresh marigold flowers are to be packed in bamboo baskets or gunny bags.
Yield
The yield of the flowers depends upon the season, soil fertility and variety.
- African marigold: 3 – 4 t/acre
- French marigold: 4.5 – 7 t/acre.