Contents
How to collect marigold seeds at home
The name of the plant, which in Latin sounds like the name of a relative of the god Jupiter, has analogs in other languages as well: “black-cutters”, “black-haired” – because of the similarity with the dark velvet eyebrows of Ukrainian beauties, “Turkish carnation” – the inflorescences resemble this flower, “gold Mary”. But how to collect marigold seeds so as not to disrupt their growth and see flowering again next year?
How to collect marigold seeds: remove the petals first
This question is of interest to lovers of flowers with wormwood scent – marigolds resemble asters, gourmets – they use the inflorescence as a type of saffron, the world’s most expensive spice, as well as owners of a home herbal medicine chest.
Flowers are carefully brewed for diaphoretic and diuretic effects, sometimes used to induce vomiting. But in the domestic open spaces, black shavers are more popular as ornamental plants.
How to collect marigold seeds at home?
First you need to wait until the end of September – the second half of it. Black-brows evoke tenderness among gardeners, as they remain bright and fresh almost until October.
Features of collecting seeds:
- It is necessary to cut off the heads of plants with legs, tie them in bunches and hang them indoors, spreading a newspaper. Black oblong seeds are regular, ripe.
- Sometimes they wait for natural ripening: the petals become wilted, the stem at the junction with the head becomes dry. If it is difficult to decide on the collection tactics, it is better to watch a video on the Internet on how to collect marigold seeds. Experienced gardeners and amateur flower growers will share tips.
- Traditionally, dark-browed seeds are stored in dry paper envelopes. They are planted in spring, the seeds have a good shelf life, so they can be sown in any year – they are stored for up to 4 years.
The main thing is not to miss the moment, after frost the material is often unsuitable for planting, but also not to rush: an unripe seed is upsetting with its low germination rate.
How to collect and store marigold seeds: gardeners’ secrets
You can use the advice of experienced flower growers: they begin to collect seeds after 40 days from the moment of flowering.
The day for collection is chosen dry, otherwise, under the influence of moisture, the seeds will deteriorate, but not windy. Store in a dry place. They are planted immediately in the soil in mid-March – upright, other species – when it gets warmer: early April is approaching.
When to Collect Marigold Seeds: Do Your Best
Seed collection is the final stage, which must be preceded by good conditions for the growth of the dark-browed.
- The plant is watered as the soil dries up: waterlogging, like drought, has a detrimental effect on the root system.
- An excess of organic fertilizers leads to the growth of root, stem, leaves, but prevents flowering and seed formation.
- Improves flowering by timely cutting off withered adjacent petals on marigolds.
Also, the quality of plant life is affected by proper planting, weather conditions, getting rid of a possible spider mite. But in terms of collecting seeds with these flowers there will be no problem. They don’t require any special skills.