Guide to growing garden plants - Calendula (Pot Marigold)
Calendula is a hardy annual that reaches between 30 and 60cm in height.
They carry daisy-like flowers of orange or yellow in colour and flowers in the spring.
Calendula are known by the common names of Pot Marigold or English Marigold. It makes a great border plant.
How to grow Pot Marigold
If planning to grow Calendula outdoors from seed it should be sown at a depth of 6mm in the early spring. When starting off seedlings indoors it is best to start the preparations for growing Pot Marigolds about 8 weeks before planting out. The germination process should be done in the dark and takes about one or two weeks. Once Pot Marigold seedlings have grown to a reasonable size (about 8 weeks) they can be transplanted into the garden after the last frost of spring. Dwarf Calendula species should be planted about 20cm apart, whereas normal ones should have a spacing of around 50cm. Pot and English Marigold should be grown in areas of bright sunlight in a soil of pH 5.5 to 7.
Caring for Pot Marigolds
Young plants require to be pinched back to encourage bushiness. Dead flowers should be removed. When watering avoid getting water on the leaves.