Marigold ‘African Sahara Mixed’ (Tagetes erecta)
Half hardy annual
Flowers the same year as sown. Compact, uniform plants for beds and patio pots. Large fully double flowers on sturdy stems.
Seeds from Mr. Fothergill’s
Sow indoors
Sow outdoors
Plant out
Flowers
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
Well drained soil
30cm (12″)
25cm (10″)
Sow indoors, A warm kitchen windowsill is all you need for starting these seeds. Sow 0.5cm (1/4″) deep, in trays of compost. Water well and place in a warm position. A temperature of 15-20°C (60-68°F is ideal. Keep moist. Seedlings usually appear in 14-21 days. Transplant seedlings 5cm (2″) apart to other trays when large enough to handle (always handle by the leaf, never the stem). Grow on in cooler but not cold, conditions. Gradually accustom young plants to outside conditions (avoid frosts), before planting out 25cm (10″) apart, when frosts are over.
African marigolds are day-length sensitive and so will not bloom under natrual conditions until the longest day has passed.
My results with these were a little disappointing last year and it’s easy to pinpoint why. I got so excited at seeing the lovely healthy seedlings growing in the conservatory I assumed they were OK to be planted out. Everything was fine until we had an unexpected frost and they all flagged. I did get some blooms but nothing like the robust plants I had from the local nursery the year before. Lesson learned. Don’t get too previous with your plants. 😉