Antigua marigolds: description of varieties and characteristics, cultivation rules

It's hard to find gardeners who don't want to draw attention to their flower beds with bright and lush flowers. Many are looking for rare and exotic flowers, the cultivation of which is already a feat in itself and takes a huge amount of effort and attention. However, the most common Antigua marigolds, derived from African marigolds, will cope with this task extremely easily.

General information about the Antigua variety

This variety belongs to the erect marigold species, also known as African. The species itself is distinguished by a fibrous root system, and also by the fact that the bushes of this plant can be from forty to one hundred and twenty centimeters in height.At the same time, the bushes are both compact and sprawling - there is no clear gradation, and it all depends on the particular plant

The Antigua variety favorably differs from its species in dwarfism - flowers rarely exceed thirty centimeters in height. This makes it similar to Bonanza Deep Orange, which is a different species. The diameter of the inflorescences varies from seven to twelve centimeters. The bushes themselves are compact and produce several flower stalks.

The following sub-species of this variety have been noted that tend more towards one of the shades characteristic of Antigua:

1. Orange. Rich, orange color.
2. Yellow. Sunny, yellow flowers.
3. Primrose. Lovely, lemon yellow color.

Advantages and disadvantages of culture

Since each species has its pros and cons, marigolds have their positive and negative sides. If we talk exclusively about the Antigua variety, then the list of pros and cons is significantly reduced.

The advantages of this variety usually include:

1. Compact bush. Due to the density and miniature of the plant, it is ideal for decorating curbs.
2. Great combination of stem size and bud size that makes the bush look more lush.

The disadvantages include:

1. Price. The cost of seeds of this variety can "bite", and this is directly related to the following minus.
2. Lack of seeds. Since this is a hybrid variety, Antigua either does not produce seeds or they do not bear fruit.

When and how to plant?

To marigolds bloom early, it is better to plant them in seed boxes in early March. Seeds are planted in grooves, at a distance of one and a half to two centimeters from each other. This distance should be between the furrows. Or you can immediately land on the garden in May. The soil should be well-drained, slightly acidic. It is better to pre-fertilize it with peat and mineral dressing.

Seeds are sprinkled with one centimeter of earth and covered with a dark film, after which it remains only to wait. Shoots will appear on the fifth or seventh day, then they can be transplanted separately from each other or, if the weather allows, then moved to a flower bed. This particular upright variety is planted in squares of twenty by twenty centimeters, but its larger relatives can only live in squares of forty by forty centimeters.

It is worth noting that marigolds tolerate transplant well, regardless of age. Even if the transplant is done during the flowering period, everything will be fine with them.

How to care for a plant?

In order for a plant to grow he althy and beautiful, you need to properly care for it. To do this, it is worth removing wilted inflorescences, as well as periodically loosening the soil at the roots. This is necessary because the root system needs oxygen.

Irrigation

Although Antigua marigolds are tolerant of short-term drought, they should be watered regularly, especially during the hot months. Good watering in the early stages of growth will help produce lush flowers and strong, beautiful stems. The main thing is not to overdo it and be moderate - excessive moisture and stagnant water will lead to the appearance of gray rot.

Feeding

For top dressing, complex mineral fertilizers are used, which are introduced two or three times a season - this is enough. During flowering, you can add a little phosphorus to the soil, but this is not necessary.

Diseases and pests

Marigolds are harmed by the same diseases and pests as many other flowers. Exceptions to this rule are rare and only prove the rule. Among the pests and diseases that can destroy a flower, the following representatives are distinguished:

1. Grey rot. This fungus appears due to excessive watering and / or close proximity of plants to each other. You can distinguish gray rot by dark spots that appear on the leaves, as well as damage to the roots, which begin to rot. It is recommended to immediately dig up all the affected bushes and destroy them. However, you can try to save them by transplanting them into separate pots and removing the affected parts of the plants.
2. Snails and slugs. They are busy eating plants. They have to be collected by hand, after which jars of bleach are placed near the flowers - it repels pests.
3. Spider mite. Appears in hot, dry weather. Actively feeds on plant sap, which gradually leads to their death. Since marigolds do not tolerate chemicals well, they are sprayed with an infusion of burning plants. These include hot peppers, onions, garlic and yarrow.

How best to propagate

It is believed that the best way to propagate this kind of flowers - seeds. But this method is not suitable for those who want to breed one variety. This is due to the already mentioned "sterility" of hybrids, so it remains only to purchase seeds from breeders. How to plant seeds correctly was described above.

However, there are some gardeners who prefer to use cuttings. This method helps to quickly propagate flowers by partially cutting off one of the plants.

To do this, they take about a pound of soil and water it well with water. After that, several tops are cut off from the plant and planted in the ground. A pot of earth should be tied in a transparent bag to create conditions for it, like in a greenhouse, with high humidity and temperature. The package is exposed to the sun, and in seven days the cutting will sprout.

In this case, the "parent" plant will not suffer much and will even acquire a more aesthetic appearance. If only one top is removed from the plant, then growth in the lateral buds will soon begin, and the bush will become more voluminous. And when flowering begins, it will be difficult to find leaves from the abundance of flowers.

Gardeners suggest treating the parent plant's cut, but it doesn't make much sense if the plant isn't already infested with any pests.

Using marigolds

Besides purely aesthetic value, marigolds of this variety have other extremely useful properties. These include:

1. Repelling pests. Due to the specific smell of Antigua, almost all insects that usually attack plants are repelled. So, if marigolds are planted next to other flowers, you can forget about whitefly, bear and aphids. But do not plant these plants next to peas and radishes - they do not get along together.
2. Medicine. Infusions of dried and fresh marigolds help get rid of parasites, and also have a diuretic and diaphoretic effect. They are also used for joint pain.
3. Cooking. Dried petals are used as a natural dye and spice.
4. Ecology. Marigolds draw from the soil and accumulate heavy metals, which helps to cleanse the soil.

Summing up, we see a variety, the cost of which is quite high, but it is not as delicate and whimsical to care for as most expensive flowers. It's practically the best combination of cost and stamina you won't see often.

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