AmeriSeed’s Flower Culture Guide: African/American F1 Marigold

 

🌻 Welcome to the Cut Flower Culture Guide: African/American F1 Marigold! 🌻

Welcome to the comprehensive “AmeriSeed’s Flower Culture Guide: African/American F1 Marigold,” a resource designed to equip both novice and experienced growers with the knowledge and techniques necessary to cultivate these vibrant blooms to perfection.

Marigolds, renowned for their resilience, diversity, and striking hues, captivate gardeners and florists alike with their timeless beauty. In this guide, we delve into the intricacies of African/American F1 Marigold cultivation, offering insights into optimal growing conditions, maintenance strategies, and harvesting practices. Whether you’re cultivating these exquisite flowers for personal enjoyment or commercial purposes, this guide serves as your roadmap to achieving flourishing blooms and vibrant colors, elevating any floral arrangement or garden space with the allure of Marigolds.

🌿 Scientific name : Tagetes erecta

💐 Use : Bedding & Cut Flower

🌱 Plant Type : Annual

🌼 Seed count approx. : 300 seeds/gram

🏡 Sowing to transplant : 15 – 25 days (2 – 3 weeks)

🌸 Transplant to flowering : 35 – 45 days (4 – 5 weeks)

✔️ Minimum Germination rate : 85%

🔍 Seed form : Natural and De-tailed

🌱 Plug Production :

🌱 Media

Use well-drained media with a pH of 6.5-7.0 and a soil EC of 0.75-1.0 mhos/cm. Seeds may be covered with a thin layer of media to maintain moisture levels. Recommended plug tray size 200 or 288 cells

🌱🌡️ Temperature

The optimum temperature for seed germination is 22-24 deg C (72-75 deg F). After the germination, low temperatures tend to delay plug growth whilst higher temperatures will induce plant stretch.

🌱🔍 Stage 1 – Germination and radicle emergence takes approximately 3-5 days. Light is NOT required for germination. Keep media moisture medium wet to saturated, moisture level 4-5. No fertilizer is needed at this stage.

🌱🔍 Stage 2 – Expanding stem and cotyledons take approximately 5-7 days. Extra lighting can be supplied at 2,500-foot candles (25,000 lux). Keep media moisture medium (level 3) to medium wet (level 4).

🌱🔍 Stage 3 – Development of first true leaves approximately in 7-10 days. Extra lighting can be supplied at 2,500 f.c. (25,000 lux). Keep media moisture levels medium and medium wet. Alternate dry to wet, level 3 to 4. Apply fertilizer at a rate of 75-100 ppm N – less than 0.7 EC) with a nitrate-form fertilizer ratio of 2:1:3. Media that is too wet encourages the development of a weak root system and disease.

🌱🔍 Stage 4 – 4-6 true leaves approximately taking 15-18 days. Low temperature tends to delay transplanting by 7-10 days. Moisture as per stage 3. Feed 1-2 times per week 100-150 ppm N 2:1:3 – 0.7 to 1.2 EC. A growth regulator may be used to reduce stretch.

Marigold young plant plugs should be transplanted as soon as they have reached the 2 true leaf stage if transplanted later than this, premature flowering may occur.

🌱🪺Growing On:

After 2-3 weeks plants can be transplanted directly into beds with a spacing of 40-45 cm (15-18 ins).

🌱🌡️ Temperature

Night: 20-25 °C (68-77 °F)

Day: 25 °C and above (77 °F).

Low temperatures may result in flowering delay and a reduction of first flower quality.

High temperatures will reduce flower size.

🌱💡 Light

Extra lighting can improve yields and flower quality

🌱💧 Moisture and Irrigation

Keep optimal media moisture between medium (level 3) to medium wet (level 4). Allow media to dry between watering and then re-saturated. Avoid overhead irrigation directly onto flowers as this will encourage disease.

🌱✨Fertilizer

Once a week after transplant at 150-200 ppm N using nitrate-form of fertilizer ratio 2:1:3. The optimum EC level is 1.0 – 1.2 mhos/cm. Micronutrients can also be applied.

🌱🐜 Insects

Trips, Red spider mites, Leaf miners, Beet armyworms, Common cutworms, Snails, and slugs

🌱👾Common Diseases

Botrytis, Pythium, Alternaria, Fusarium, Ralstonia.

🌞📏Day length and Plant Height

🪴↕️ Plant Height

Short Days : 30-40 cm.

Long Days : 55-75 cm.

🪴↔️ Plant Width

Short Days : 30-40 cm.

Long Days : 55-60 cm.

🪴⏳Total crop time

Short Days : 50-100 Days

Long Days : 60-120 Days

Note: The information given is intended for guidance. Crop times may vary depending on location, climate, seasons,

height above sea level and other environmental conditions. The application of chemicals is subject to local regulations. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions when applying horticultural chemicals