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Flowers that can take first place among annuals in terms of prevalence and popularity, having not only medicinal and nutritional value, but also capable of repelling many pests and pathogens. Many probably guessed that we are talking about marigolds. It is these sunny, cheerful flowers that can revive and cheer up even on a gloomy, cloudy day, during a period of bad mood or even depression.
Marigolds have varieties only with yellow, orange and red hues and their combination. But what a unique variety of looks can give different combinations of these three colors.
Botanists know about 30 species of these plants, but only 2-3 species are the most popular in Our Country: deviated marigolds, upright marigolds and relatively recently appeared thin-leaved marigolds. And the number of varieties has long exceeded several hundred and continues to increase every year.
Among them there are both perennial and annual plants, but in our country only annual varieties of marigolds are grown. They belong to the aster family. Flowers received their Latin name Tagetes (Tagetes) thanks to Carl Linnaeus, who was struck by their beauty and named them in honor of the grandson of Jupiter, the demigod Tages, who was distinguished by beauty and the ability to see the future.
In each country, some special features of the Tagetes were noticed and recorded in the local names of the flower. In Our Country, they were called marigolds for the velvety surface of the petals, which is especially well expressed with the dark color of the flowers. In England they are called “Mary’s gold”, and in Germany – “student’s flower”. In China, they were called “flowers of thousands of years”, and in Ukraine – Chernobrivtsy.
In this article, we will talk about rejected marigolds, since it is these flowers that our mothers and grandmothers primarily associate with marigolds.
General description of plants
Marigolds rejected are drought-resistant, heat-loving annual herbaceous plants for open ground. Although, due to their unpretentiousness, including the level of illumination, they can be successfully grown on balconies, and even at home.
These flowers are native to the mountainous regions of Mexico.
The stems are very strong and strong, the central shoot grows straight, all the side shoots deviate and branch from the very base. As a result, either compact or spreading bushes are formed from 15 to 60 cm in height. The leaves are pinnately dissected, with a serrated edge, dark green in color, can be arranged either in turn or in opposite order. Inflorescences are baskets from 4 to 6 cm in diameter, very diverse in shape, characterized by rather long peduncles. Reed flowers are usually located along the edge, which can be of a wide variety of shades – orange, yellow, lemon, dark red, brownish, brown. They are even two-colored and dotted with spots of various sizes, velvety to the touch.
In the middle of the inflorescence, as a rule, tubular flowers are located, which are yellow or orange. The fruit is an elongated achene. Seeds do not lose their ability to germinate for 3-4 years. Flowers can produce abundant self-seeding. In 1 gram there are from 300 to 700 seeds.
In open ground they bloom profusely from June to the first frost. In greenhouse or home conditions, rejected marigolds are able to bloom year-round with the creation of appropriate lighting. This type of marigold has been successfully bred since the 16th century.
Plants have a rather sharp, peculiar smell that can repel many harmful insects and other animals. Moreover, the leaves smell even stronger than the flowers.
Marigolds rejected are highly resistant to diseases and pests, tolerate drought well.
Differences of rejected marigolds from upright
Rejected marigolds are also called French, since they gained their distribution throughout Europe thanks to the French Huguenot refugees, who, in the middle of the XNUMXth century, moving to other countries, took with them the seeds of these flowers. Marigolds rejected were among the first overseas plants that moved to Our Country around the XNUMXth century.
They began to be called actually rejected by the peculiarity of all lateral stems deviate in different directions.
As a result, the bushes look rather squat and sprawling, and undersized varieties form almost continuous flowering carpets.
How do deviated marigolds differ from other species, and, above all, upright ones? After all, outwardly from the outside they seem very similar and, due to their beauty and unpretentiousness, are equally popular among flower growers.
- First, they differ in the structure of the stem. In upright marigolds, it does not branch from the base, but grows straight and even often woody at the base.
- Secondly, only one inflorescence grows on one stem of upright marigolds, while a whole bouquet can grow in rejected ones.
- Rejected marigolds are usually small in size and reach a maximum height of 60 cm. And among the erect ones there are real giants, up to 120 cm high.
- Rejected marigolds are characterized by a wide variety of flower colors – almost all varieties are bicolor. And among the upright you can find only plain flowers.
- In terms of the variety of flower shapes, the rejected marigolds also went far ahead. Among the varieties come across and simple, and terry, and similar to chrysanthemum, and anemone. The inflorescences of upright marigolds are all terry, similar to a lush ball.
- Finally, these two species differ somewhat in terms of vegetation and whimsicality. Rejected marigolds bloom faster and easier and can grow in almost any conditions (in terms of humidity, amount of light and ecology, for example, along major roads and in polluted regions.)
Marigold classification
All varieties of marigolds rejected can be divided into several groups according to the shape of the flower:
- Simple – the basket of the inflorescence consists of one layer of reed flowers along the edge and tubular in the center.
- Carnations – inflorescences consist mainly of reed flowers, they can be simple, semi-double and double.
- Chrysanthemum – consist mainly of tubular flowers, they are usually double.
- mixed type – when reed flowers are located along the edges, and the middle of the inflorescence is filled with tubular flowers.
Variety of varieties
Thanks to the combination of different shades with different shapes and sizes of inflorescences, many varieties of deviated marigolds were obtained, which delight with their dissimilarity to each other. Everyone can choose among them something to their liking.
Dwarf marigolds, up to 20 cm high
Dwarf varieties of marigolds appeared relatively recently, but managed to gain popularity, especially in industrial floriculture. Because of them you can make carpets of flowers that are amazing in terms of colorful patterns.
Baby
This is a whole series of varieties of different colors, up to 20 cm high. There is a bright baby, a gold baby, an orange baby and others. The bushes of this variety are super-compact and uniform. Terry inflorescences with a predominance of reed flowers in diameter can reach 5 cm. They bloom early, bloom for a long time and profusely.
Harmony
This amazing variety is fully consistent with its name. With a small height of the bush, the flowers reach a diameter of 5 cm. Dense and dense bushes in width can reach 25-30 cm. There are so many flowers that foliage is sometimes not visible under them. The inflorescences themselves are two-colored, mixed in shape, terry – unusually harmonious. In addition, they easily withstand bad weather and perfectly retain their shape throughout the entire warm period.
Primo
Another series of varieties of dwarf marigolds rejected in a single color, among which there is a sub-variety of an amazing shade – apricot primo.
Rumba
The inflorescences are the simplest, single-row, but alternating orange and bright yellow colors can be traced on the petals, which gives the flowers an unusual and additional volume. Despite their miniature size, the bushes are distinguished by power and strength, successfully resisting all weather disasters.
Eye of the Tiger
One of the most popular varieties. The lush, terry golden-colored core of the inflorescence is bordered by a single row of reed petals of a rich dark red color. The coloring is a bit like harmony, but the middle is more magnificent.
Low, from 25 to 40 cm
This group includes the vast majority of the most famous rejected marigolds. And this is no accident – breeders simply satisfy the needs of flower growers, who are very comfortable dealing with bushes of this size.
Rock and roll
The variety has the simplest inflorescences, but maroon spots on a lemon background give it sophistication.
Cherry bracelet
Flowers have a unique corrugated petal shape with a variegated two-tone color.
Hero’s Gold
The inflorescences are monochromatic yellow in color, but the petals of various shapes and sizes create a fascinating sight.
Aspen
Densely double inflorescences of dark shades adorn splashes of bright sunny color.
Bolero
One of the most popular varieties of rejected marigolds. In terms of brightness and multicolor, you can hardly find similar colors.
Aluminum
How unusual marigolds look with a yellow-cream tint. This unique variety is so far the only one of its kind. In addition, the plants are distinguished by ultra-early flowering periods.
golden head
The flowers of these marigolds immediately stand out against the general background and the contrast of color shades, and the shining center.
Chameleon pink
This luxurious variety was born thanks to the efforts of American breeders.
Thus, on one bush you can observe flowers of several shades at once. In addition, flowers have a powerful vitality, like all rejected marigolds.
Medium and high grades, from 40 to 60 cm
Varieties of rejected marigolds of medium and high sizes are not so numerous. In this dimensional niche, upright marigolds are much more common, but still several varieties are worth mentioning.
Cheerful clown
Bushes of this variety can reach a height of 60-70 cm. The diameter of the flower is 6 cm. The inflorescences are the most common, but it is impossible to resist the unique, eye-pleasing coloring. Due to the long stems, the flowers can be cut for bouquets, and they can be kept in water for a long time.
The Golden Ball
Simple inflorescences of the most common, non-double form, however, cannot leave anyone indifferent. Bushes reach a height of 50-60 cm.
Sowing and growing
Marigolds rejected can be grown both by sowing directly into open ground around mid-May, and by seedlings. The period from germination to flowering in these flowers is about two months. Accordingly, if you want to enjoy the flowering of marigolds from the beginning of June, then sow them for seedlings in early April.
Seeds germinate 5-10 days after planting.
Marigolds rejected are considered the most undemanding of all species to soils and growing temperatures. Seedlings grown in a greenhouse or greenhouse will turn out to be especially strong and hardened.
These flowers tolerate picking and transplanting well at any age, and even in bloom.
When growing seedlings of marigolds at home, experienced flower growers recommend first germinating the seeds in order to sow them later with optimal density. To do this, they must be laid out on a damp cloth, placed in a transparent plastic container or bag and placed in a warm place. After a few days, the seeds may hatch.
Seeds with tiny sprouts that have hatched should be carefully laid out in shallow grooves at a distance of 1,5 – 2 cm from each other and covered with a small layer of light earth, 0,5 cm thick. Sprinkle well on top and place in a bag so that the sprouts do not die from drying out.
When seedlings appear, the container with seeds is placed in a cooler (+16°+20°С) and bright place.
Seedlings of rejected marigolds can be planted in open ground in early June in the middle zone.
Use of colors
Rejected marigolds are unique flowers that can not only decorate a flower bed and balcony, but also protect your garden from uninvited guests.
- If you grow them on unused lands, and then plow into the ground, you can free the soil from nematodes and Fusarium.
- When planting marigolds in the garden, they are able to protect potatoes from the Colorado potato beetle, and cabbage, cucumbers, tomatoes and other vegetable crops from many crawling and flying pests. They are badly combined only with plants from the legume family.
- When planting marigolds in flower beds, they scare away aphids from roses and help asters and other rotten flowers feel better.
- Dried and ground flowers, buds and marigold leaves serve as a good spice for preservation and cooking various dishes.
- Marigolds play a significant role in folk medicine. Flowers and leaves have antiviral, laxative, sedative and anthelmintic effects.
It is difficult to imagine flowers that are more popular, easy to care for and at the same time so versatile in use than rejected marigolds. On each site there is sure to be a place where you can use these wonderful and useful plants.
