Do Marigolds need full sun? You may have this question in your mind when you are going to grow this plant.
Marigolds are one of the most popular types of flowers planted by gardeners for the summer.
The ease of growth and the beauty it emits make anyone interested in having this ornamental plant in their garden.
Moreover, this plant has a root system that is able to repel harmful soil nematodes, as well as microscopic worms.
Whether you are buying Marigold plants or growing them from seed, you may be wondering do Marigolds need full sun? Can Marigolds grow in the shade? And how much sun does Marigold need?
In this article, we will explore all these questions to help you grow Marigolds to be more optimal.
Do Marigolds Need Full Sun?
The answer to the question do Marigolds need full sun is yes, Marigolds need full sun.
Marigold is an annual plant that grows in spring and summer.
Therefore, plants that produce beautiful yellow or orange flowers require full sun for growth.
Full sun received by Marigolds can help their growth more optimally.
It will also help the flowers and leaves to develop naturally.
So, how much sun does Marigold need?
Marigolds need between 5 and 6 full sunS each day.
To make sure they get the right amount of sunlight, you can place them in a border location or even near the house to the south.
You don’t need to worry, although marigolds can absorb sunlight, they will thrive in places that have direct sunlight.
They will bounce it off with moist soil and make noises to stabilize it.
Why Marigolds Need Full Sun?
Marigolds need full sun to get energy.
This full sun will be used by marigolds to photosynthesize during the day.
This allows the marigold to develop many flowers at once.
We recommend not shading marigolds as they may not bloom at all.
Meanwhile, to keep the flowers coming, you can do this by paying attention to blooming and deadheading marigolds at the right time.
We recommend spacing them out when planting these flowers to help provide as much sun exposure as possible.
Leave about 12 inches between the smaller marigolds, and about 36 inches for the larger and taller marigolds.
Another reason why you should place marigolds in full sun is that they will have soil moisture control.
Marigolds are known to not tolerate wet soil.
When the soil is wet, pathogenic bacteria and fungi can quickly enter and cause damage to plants and can inhibit their growth.
Can Marigolds Grow in Part Shade?
In fact, marigolds can grow in both full sun and partial shade.
However, placing them in a place with shade can have a negative impact on their flowering and overall growth.
Sometimes, marigolds do need some shade on very hot afternoons to avoid plant wilting, especially in hot, sweltering areas like deserts.
You can also coat the soil with mulch to help retain as much moisture as possible on hot days.
If you absolutely must grow marigolds in part shade, consider adding organic matter to the soil.
This method is proven to be able to help flow water through the particles more efficiently to avoid standing water that causes excess moisture.
Part shade works well for marigold seedlings, especially when you grow them indoors.
As soon as the seedlings grow bigger and stronger, you will need to transplant them into an area that gets full sun again.
How to Grow Marigolds
After the question of do marigolds need full sun is answered, you also need to know how to plant marigolds correctly.
Know when is the right time to plant marigolds before you start.
The best time to plant marigolds is from spring to mid-summer.
You can sow the seeds directly into the garden or start the seeds indoors for transplanting outdoors after germination has occurred.
While marigolds can grow in almost any type of soil, moderately fertile, well-drained soil works best.
If you want to start from seed, moisten the soil first, then sow the seeds and space the seeds about 1 inch apart by no more than 1 inch deep.
Thin the seedlings while they are still small to give them plenty of room to grow.
This is effective in making them receive all the proper growth needs such as moisture, nutrients, light, etc. without having to compete with other seedlings.
Thinning seedlings can also help increase air circulation around them.
If you want to start indoor seed, do so 4 to 6 weeks before the frost-free date.
Place them in a sunny area such as a windowsill, and transplant them into the garden when the danger of frost has passed.
Marigolds Care
In addition to easy planting, marigolds also require easy and simple care.
Some of the treatments you need to do include:
Sprinkling
Marigolds prefer soil that dries between watering.
Preferably, do watering well and regularly.
Avoid watering overhead to avoid various pests and diseases coming.
Plan to water at the base of the plant and keep the soil moist and not too wet as wetness can only cause powdery mildew.
Fertilization
In addition to growing in rich, well-drained soil, marigolds also need additional nutrients.
You can give them fertilizer as needed to nourish them.
Do not give them too much fertilizer so as not to stimulate excessive leaf growth at the expense of flowers.
Trimming
Unlike other annuals, marigolds do not require many deadheads.
Deadheads can help encourage new, better growth, as well as improve their overall appearance.
Mulch
Cover around young plants with mulch to keep weeds away.
Mulch is also done to provide moisture to the roots.