Marigold seeds: how to collect from faded flowers, storage rules and use

Own planting material available, less expensive and proven. How the seeds are collected from marigolds, beginners wonder. There is nothing difficult in this. It is enough to properly grow large, he althy flowers and collect material from them for planting.

How to care for marigolds to get quality seeds

If the flowers are grown correctly, the grower will get his own seed material. You will not need to purchase it in the store, at not cheap prices.

Plants need to choose the right place. Then, during the summer, water abundantly, without flooding or letting the marigolds dry out.Periodically, 1-2 times a month, it is necessary to feed the bushes. Organic or mineral fertilizers are used. If the plants receive the necessary nutrients, they will be strong and powerful. Seeds from such bushes will be he althy.

Sick, deformed plants must be removed from the flower bed.

It is advisable to plant marigolds by variety so that they do not cross-pollinate with each other. Because as a result of sowing of pollinated planting material, completely different specimens with distinctive characteristics grow.

What marigold seeds look like on faded flowers

When the flowers fade, boxes appear in their place. In them future seeds ripen. There are many in one box. After maturation, they acquire a characteristic color. The bottom becomes dark, the top is straw. The planting material itself looks like a thin needle.

The length of the seeds depends on the variety. Tall marigolds have large seeds, short ones have small ones.

How to get seeds from marigolds

It is important to collect planting material from mature bolls. To do this, choose dry specimens and carefully remove the seeds.

If the planted plants are hybrids, then the collected seeds will not produce offspring with similar properties.

It is advisable to take seeds from single bushes growing to the side. More likely to keep the required characteristics.

To get clean sprouts, do not collect them in flower beds where many varieties of tagetis (marigolds) grow.

Tubular

This species has bisexual petals, so they don't need human or insect input for pollination. Harvested seeds generally have a high germination rate. There are a lot of them, enough to plant a large area.

Reed

They are unisexual, so they require the participation of insects during pollination. There is little planting material, but large and beautiful bushes grow from it.

When is the best time to harvest

Each region has its own deadlines. Approximately August-October. It is advisable to choose mature specimens. High-quality planting material is collected from them.

Gradual ripening allows the gardener to collect as many seeds as he needs. Own seeds are sown more without regret. Then the seedlings are thinned out.

Tagetes reproduce by self-sowing. But every year the bushes and flowers become smaller. It is necessary to know. Do not be reminded that the weather must be dry, during the rain there is no collection.

If unstable weather does not allow harvesting in time, it is necessary to cut branches with drying flowers. Tie them up and hang them under the roof. A piece of cloth or paper is spread below. Ripened planting material will fall out. Then it is dried a little more and put away for storage.

How to select good seeds

You can sort planting material from autumn. To do this, the collected seeds are placed for 30 minutes. into a s alt solution. It is prepared like this:

• tablespoon of s alt;
• 1 liter of water.

Everything is mixed and settled. Then the seeds are poured into the solution. After the end of the time, the pop-up sprouts are removed. Those that remain at the bottom are washed and dried again.

Storage rules

An important requirement is that the planting material must be dried. Well-dried seeds last longer.

After harvesting, marigolds are spread on thick paper or newspaper. Dry them in the shade, but in a well-ventilated place. The time is different, depends on what kind of seeds. Enough 2-3 days. Then they are laid out in paper or rag bags and put away for storage.

It is advisable to keep them in a dry, dark and cool place. Do not store near the stove and radiators. Planting material loses its germination.

If there is nowhere to put the seeds, it is better to store them in the refrigerator. But in order for them not to become damp, they are periodically taken out. Dry for several days at room temperature. Then put back in the fridge.

Undesirable for storage:

• use polyethylene, plastic, marigolds should receive air;
• exposed to high humidity;
• to allow the temperature regime to exceed +13 ⁰С.

Tagetes remain viable for up to 4 years. Then the seeds lose their properties and are not used for their intended purpose.

Seed use

Besides planting, marigold seeds are used for other purposes. The flower is famous for the essential oils that all parts of the plant possess. A lot of them are concentrated in boxes with seeds and the seeds themselves. They are used to make pillows or sachets.

Pod plant lovers use seed pods differently. A solution is prepared from them, which is used to treat plants and water the soil. It helps to fight pests and some diseases.

Oil is prepared from tagetis, which is then used for aromatic baths. To do this, the sprouts are crushed and poured with olive oil, insisted for 15 days.

Is it possible to collect seeds after frosts

Summer residents do not advise picking marigolds after the first frost hits. It is claimed that the planting material loses its germination. And the bushes that grow will be weak. Flowering will be weak and uneven.

Hand-harvested seeds ensure that the grower gets exactly the kind of plants he wants. Compliance with the requirements for collection and subsequent sorting will allow you to get high quality seed material.

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