Marigold flowers decorate balconies, rooftops, and yards. These yellow and orange flowers not only look beautiful but are also highly sought after during the festive season. Especially during Diwali, they are essential for decorating homes, setting up altars, hanging garlands on doors, and making garlands for gods and offerings.
Due to increasing demand, prices for marigolds sometimes rise during the Diwali season. Because of this, there is an idea to grow plants at home before Diwali arrives, so that the necessary flowers can be collected from one's own pot or garden bed.
For this, you do not need to buy new seedlings from nurseries or expensive seeds from the market every time. Marigolds, which start to look withered after flowering, can become your 'seed bank' for creating new plants. Indeed, seeds can be easily extracted from dried marigold flowers, and these seeds can be used to grow many new plants at home. Next, we will explain how to grow a new plant without buying seeds.
How to grow a marigold plant:
First, you should choose marigold flowers that are fully bloomed and dried. You cannot obtain proper seeds from fresh or partially opened flowers. When the flower dries well, its petals must be carefully removed. Inside, you will see thin, long black and white seeds. It is from these seeds that a new marigold plant can be grown.
To extract marigold seeds, you need to gently rub the dry flower with your hands. With this action, the seeds inside the flower will begin to separate. The collected seeds should be dried in the shade for one or two days, after which they will be ready for sowing.
Next, you need to prepare a pot. For this, manure flour or compost should be added to regular garden soil. It is important that the soil is not too sticky or dense; it should be loose, and water must drain well from the pot. Stagnant water in the pot can be harmful.
The seeds should be planted about half an inch deep by making small depressions in the prepared soil. They should then be lightly covered with soil from above. Then, instead of watering with a strong stream, you should use a spray bottle to allow the water to settle gently, without displacing the seeds.
For good growth, the marigold plant requires sunlight, so the pot should be placed where it receives sun for approximately 4-5 hours. When the soil begins to dry, it needs to be watered lightly, but ensure that water does not stagnate in the pot, as excess moisture can cause problems for the plant.
If the seeds, soil, water, and sunlight are properly maintained, small sprouts may appear in 7-10 days. After that, you need to continue caring for the plant. Approximately 40-50 days later, the marigold plant may begin to bloom. Thus, from one dried flower, you can grow many marigold plants on your balcony or rooftop.
You should not throw the dried flower away as trash. The next time a marigold flower dries, it is worth inspecting it before putting it in the trash bin. Perhaps your future blooming balcony is hidden in that dried flower. By correctly extracting the seeds, you can grow marigold plants at home without buying new seeds from the market.