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Those who do not want to wait so long to sow seeds in the bed prefer the marigold on the windowsill. This is very easy with the daisy family (Asteraceae). This is how the advancement of tagetes succeeds.

In a nutshell

  • Pre-breeding possible from January/February, but not recommended
  • Mid/end of March better suited
  • Cultivation advantageous for earlier flowering
  • choose the right container and substrate
  • pricking essential when preferring

Watch out for the best time

Plant lovers often show their marigold cultivation on the Internet as early as January/early February. Officially, however, a date from the end of February to March. However, experienced experts advise not to start growing until mid-March, better yet, at the end of March. The reason: they have a relatively rapid growth and as smaller young plants they survive the move outdoors better.

Use suitable cultivation containers

There are several ways in which seeds can be distributed and pre-breeding can take place. Not every container is ideal for growing marigolds.

propagation box

For pre-breeding there are special breeding boxes in specialist shops. They consist of several small "seed chambers" and are usually much flatter than conventional pots. As a result, more oxygen also reaches the depths of the earth, which has a positive effect on root development. This property also reduces the risk of mold growth.

flowerpot or planter

Flower pots and buckets should not be used for cultivation. They are usually too high and there is a corresponding amount of soil depth so that the seeds are high enough and receive the light they need for germination. This soil depth increases the risk of mold because the soil must be kept constantly moist. Mold inhibits germination and root growth. In the worst case, the seed is destroyed or the young plant dies.

egg cartons

You can often read about the use of egg cartons for breeding. Their functionality is similar to that of the grow boxes and everyone has them at home. Due to the flat height and the individual chambers, seeds of the marigold can be easily distributed in it.

plastic household cans

For the cultivation of marigolds, under certain conditions, plastic boxes can also be used as an alternative to special cultivation boxes. They should also be flat in height. Ideally, they have a drainage hole so that excess moisture can escape from the depths of the earth. They must be thoroughly cleaned before use.

metal vessels

Be careful with metal containers such as food or paint cans. If the metal coating inside is damaged, harmful substances can migrate into the earth. With consistently high humidity, the formation of rust is also promoted, which above all does not get the tender roots. The result is a negative impact on germination and growth. Metal containers in particular, which contained “harmful” substances such as paint or thinner, should not be used even after they have been thoroughly cleaned. Experience has shown that harmful residues are almost always left behind.

Choose the ideal potting soil

Choosing the right soil is particularly important for successfully growing marigolds. It should definitely be taken nutrient-poor soil. If growing containers are filled with nutrient-rich soil, as is the case with normal potting and garden soil, the young plants will grow too quickly. This robs them of an enormous amount of energy, which weakens them overall and causes fewer roots to grow. This means that the above-ground, extensive parts of the plant cannot be adequately supplied. Among other things, this makes them susceptible to diseases, pest infestations and care errors.

You can use low-nutrient garden soil from harvested vegetable beds (here potatoes) as growing soil for marigolds.

The following materials are best suited for cultivation up to the time of pricking out:

  • special low-nutrient potting soil from the trade
  • unfertilized coir
  • Mix one part each of finely crumbly/loose garden soil, compost and sand
  • Depleted garden soil from vegetable beds after harvesting heavy feeders such as potatoes
  • bark humus

Sow right

Once the right growing container has been found and the ideal soil has been filled in, the seed is inserted. It is particularly important to note that the seeds of the marigold are light germs. The best way to sow seeds is as follows:

  • Spray water on the surface of the soil before sowing and press down lightly
  • use your finger to press an indentation 0.5 centimeters deep into the ground
  • Put the seeds in and cover them thinly with soil
  • when growing in an unlimited container without individual chambers: keep a distance of three to five centimeters between seeds

keep soil moist

The biggest challenges when growing marigolds are preventing mold growth and ensuring consistently high soil moisture without provoking waterlogging and overwatering.

foil cover

Sufficient and continuous soil moisture can be optimally achieved if a translucent film is stretched over the cultivation container. After sowing, the earth is moderately moistened. Thanks to the film, the moisture remains much longer. As a result, less water needs to be administered less frequently. This avoids overwatering.

ventilation

The seed needs oxygen to germinate. Under a foil, this is quickly used up. The film should therefore be removed at least once a day for 15 to 20 minutes so that air can be exchanged. The "open time" provides the optimal moment to slightly loosen the soil around the seed. Mold forms less frequently in loose soil.

Tip: As soon as you see the first leaves after germination, the foil should be removed immediately, because from now on the young plant will store moisture and the risk of mold would increase to a maximum through the foil.

Find the ideal location

In order for marigold seeds to germinate, they need warmth and light. A place on the windowsill is ideal.

You should also pay attention to these details:

  • Ambient temperature: between 18 and 20 degrees Celsius
  • Light: sunny to semi-shady, no full sun; ideal window sill in south-east direction
  • Avoid drafts

Prick correctly

If the location, moisture content, substrate quality, temperature and light conditions are right, the first cotyledons will be visible after about eight to ten days. The growth is now going so fast that they need more and more space. So that the roots do not get in the way of multiple plantings in a container, they must be separated from each other in good time. Individually planted specimens should be transplanted into a larger pot to allow the roots to spread as much as possible.

The following are the most important tips for pricking:

  • best time: about three to four weeks after the first cotyledons appear and the plant is a hand-width tall
  • fill new, larger planters with soil
  • if you don't have a pricking stick, kebab skewers, a thin branch or a popsicle stick are suitable alternatives
  • push away any loose soil around the plantlets
  • Press the pricking stick diagonally under the plant about one centimeter in front of the plant stem
  • carefully lever up the plant (roots can be removed completely without tearing)
  • then put (separately) in a new container

Tip: Cut the tops of the preferred marigold as soon as five to six leaves have formed to encourage bushy growth.

Plant out at the right time

After successfully growing marigolds, they can be planted in the bed, balcony box or bucket as soon as frost is a thing of the past. Hobby gardeners often do this as early as April, when the temperatures rise well above freezing and spring shows itself from its most beautiful side. But be careful, because frost can still occur until mid-May. Because short-term ground frost is enough to cause signs of frostbite on the young, still sensitive marigold, it should never be placed outside before the ice saints in mid-May.

frequently asked Questions

Why should the marigold be preferred?

With the cultivation on the windowsill you gain a temporal "head start". Do not sow directly into the garden bed until April or May, and usually wait well into the summer for lush flowering. Due to the pre-cultivation, marigolds already bloom in June.

Can the marigold seeds be watered with a watering can?

This is not advisable. Watering cans automatically cause pressure when watering, which is caused by the point-like spout and cannot be avoided. This means there is a risk that the soil around the seed will be pushed away. In addition, the seed could be washed away by the water pressure. Both factors lead to the difficulty of root formation and rooting. Therefore, limit yourself to spraying with a wide nozzle setting.

Which soil should be used after pricking out the young marigold?

If you follow the tips above, marigolds will already have a solid structure when they are pricked out. Nutrients are beneficial for their further growth. Therefore, the young plants can be transplanted into normal substrate. Be careful not to include a particularly high level of nitrogen as this will "unnaturally" accelerate growth. It is best to use high-quality substrate with perlite that is well drained and loose.

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Garden plants