Water is an essential requirement for plants to thrive. Like other ornamental plants, marigolds have a specific water requirement for optimal growth and blooming. So, how much water does a marigold need per day? As we answer this, we explore the other contributory factors for water requirement, proper care of potted marigold plants and a few tips on boosting your marigold gardening. Let’s start by understanding how marigolds grow.
What is marigold and how does it grow?
Marigolds are annual ornamental plants. They germinate, grow, bear flowers, and die in one growing season. They do well in moderately fertile, well-drained soils and take 2-5 weeks to sprout fully. Marigolds bear flowers in various warm shades, from orange, yellow, cream, and red to bicolor. These alluring flowers have different sizes and build structures dependent on the Marigold species type. The types include the French marigold, the African marigold, the Signet marigold and the Triploid marigold. The Triploid species is a hybrid between the French and African Marigolds.
| Common name | Scientific name |
| French Marigold | Tagetes Patula |
| African Marigold | Tagetes Erecta |
| Signet Marigold | Tagetes Tenuifolia |
Marigolds are either grown from seeds or cuttings. It is claimed that the latter will grow much more robust. Let’s look at how to grow marigolds from the seeds, which is the most common method. Seeds can be obtained through marigold propagation using spent flowers. A Marigold grow time factor is dependent on the two ways.
To grow marigolds from seeds, they are sown directly into the ground and covered with a slightly thin layer of soil. For reference, ⅛ of an inch is the ideal depth. The seeds are then watered frequently. It is advisable to avoid the soil’s sogginess during the watering process and maintain moist soil. During sowing, observing the spacing between 8 to 18 inches in all directions from the individual sprouting seeds is ideal for ensuring maximum growth.
The best period for planting the seeds is after the frost has faded. Marigold seeds can be grown indoors in their early stages under the grow lights, and later, they can be transplanted outdoors. From here, the marigold will do well with low- maintenance. Let’s see how marigolds are grown from the cuttings.
For marigolds to be grown from the cuttings, the rooting medium is prepared by mixing the recommended sand, soil, and organic compost and placed in a sizable pot. Gravel can also achieve the soil texture best for the rooting process. With a pair of garden scissors, the marigold stem is cut to 4 inches from the tip of the stem.
It is ideal to ensure that the stem has three sets of leaves and no flowers. The leaves on the cut stem are stripped off from the lower half to necessitate root production. A screwdriver, a pencil, or a piece of a stick is then used for hole preparation onto the rooting medium. The ideal depth of the holes is 2 inches. The cutting is then dipped in a rooting hormone and placed into the previously prepared holes. The soil is then pressed back around the cutting to enhance firmness.
Watering is done, and the entire plant is placed in a plastic bag. The plastic bag should not touch the cutting. The plastic bag is used as a sealant to enhance the greenhouse effect within the plant. The plant is placed in a bright and warm area away from direct sunlight to facilitate the light conditions. The plant is then watered for 3–4 days to moisten the rooting medium. The cutting should be ready in a few weeks. It can then be transferred to well-drained soil for a new establishment. And so, back to our question, how much water does a marigold need per day?
How much water does a marigold need per day?
On a single day, marigolds require 1.5 to 3 inches or 4 to 7.5 cm of water. This watering process is done once or twice per week. For this reason, these plant species do not thrive in soggy soils and thus do not require lots of water. The best method to determine how often watering should be done on a marigold plant is to access the half inch of the topsoil for dampness or wetness. This method is equally helpful in preventing the occurrence of overwatered marigolds. Depending on the species type and the Marigold plant’s location, there is a variation in water requirements. Other factors contribute to the water requirements of the marigold species. Let’s look at some of these factors.
Pot vs ground
The required amount of water depends on where the marigold has been planted. If the species has been grown on the pot, 1.5 inches or 4 cm of water should be given to them twice per week. If the marigold species has been grown on the ground, 1 inch or 2.5 cm depth of water should also be administered to them twice per week.
Marigolds that have been planted on the ground can obtain moisture that has been retained in the environment. As opposed to those grown on the land, marigolds grown in pots or containers will require frequent watering due to a lack of access to the ground moisture.
Sprouting marigolds vs established marigolds
For new sprouting marigolds, they are watered regularly for a period of 10 to 12 days while avoiding sogginess. Established marigold plants need more water to achieve an ideal depth of 6 to 8 inches.
Summer vs Fall
Depending on the weather, marigolds might need a little more extra water than the usual amount during the hot summer season. In the fall, they may require less watering as the chilled weather kicks in.
Outdoor vs Indoor
Marigolds that have been planted outdoors require to be watered a few times a week more than when they have been planted indoors. This difference in water usage is due to the variation in the amount of sunlight both plants receive. To boost the health of marigolds, let’s read about how to care for marigolds when grown in pots.
How to care for marigolds in pots
There is a thin line between taking care of potted plants and those planted on the ground. Let’s explore more.
Spacing
Potted plants require specific care as compared to wild fellows. This particular treatment is no exception for marigolds grown in pots. Here are a few guidelines to start taking care of potted marigolds like a pro gardener. Avoid crowding potted marigold plants to maintain the required amount of air circulation. For a 6-inch pot, plant one marigold.
Drainage
The drainage system of the container is a vital element for caring for the marigold plant. Ideally, one hole is enough for a sizable container. Use potting soil that has good drainage properties. Sand can be mixed with the potting soil to improve soil drainage.
Sunlight
Situate the marigold in a shady spot to protect the plant from those hot summer afternoons while still being able to have the plant getting the full sun- 6 hours of sun a day. The lowest temperature at which a marigold can grow is between -12 to 4 degrees Celsius.
Watering
Water the potted marigold only after checking that the topsoil has dried to prevent sogginess. Sogginess causes rotting of the marigold roots and, at times, drowning of the seedlings when they are at their early stage. Here are crucial tips to ensure these desirable plants thrive well.
How much water does a marigold need per day: Tips
The instructional answer to the question of how much water a marigold needs per day can be guided by these simple but essential tips.
- Avoid overhead watering to prevent water from getting stuck on the bloom and eroding the topsoil.
- If the usage of marigold fertilizer can be avoided, it is recommended. Applying fertilizer to a marigold plant exposes it to chemical burns.
- Understand the water requirements of your plant to ensure the plant has the right amount of water at all times. The marigold plant may sometimes wilt as a sign showing too much or too little water. Wilting can be due to the wrong usage of fertilizer.
- Supplement your potting soil with sand, perlite, or vermiculite to boost soil drainage.
- Ensure the marigold gets the required amount (6 hours) of sunlight daily.
- Avoid overcrowding marigold plants. These species require suitable air circulation for them to grow well. Shift the potted marigolds to bigger pots or containers to compensate for space.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much sunlight does a marigold need?
Situate indoor marigolds in an area where there is enough sunlight. Marigolds need a minimum of 6 hours of daylight daily. If outdoors, while getting the minimum requirement, ensure that they have a shade handy for hotter summer afternoons.
Why do my marigolds look burnt
Marigolds look burnt because of excessive soil nutrients such as boron and manganese. These nutrients lower the soil Ph to an undesirable Ph level for marigolds to grow optimally.
Do marigold flowers need a lot of water?
Marigolds do not need a lot of water. However, they should be watered at least substantially once every week. They require at least 0.5 inches of water per week. Always check the dryness of the topsoil before rewatering.
Where do marigolds grow best?
Marigolds grow best in areas receiving full sunshine and moderately fertile, well-drained soil with a Ph of between 6.2 and 6.5.
Conclusion
To fully answer how much water does a marigold need per day, understanding the contributory factors surrounding water requirements is vital. An adequate water supply enhances longer marigold bloom time by deadheading spent flowers. Let’s keep the marigolds blooming. Happy gardening.
References
- https://peppershomeandgarden.com/how-much-water-marigolds-need/
- https://www.hunker.com/13426483/how-often-do-you-water-marigolds
- https://plantophiles.com/gardening/how-often-do-you-water-marigolds/
- https://www.homesteadgardenspa.com/blog/watering-marigold-plants/
- https://www.petalrepublic.com/how-to-water-marigolds/
- https://plantcaretoday.com/potted-marigold.html
- https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/marigold/diseases-in-marigold-plants
