How to Plant & Care for Marigold Dwarf Flowers
Dwarf marigolds have always been a gardener's favorite for their compact size and colorful blooms. They are easy to grow and are a quick way to fill a garden or bedding area with color. Both bees and butterflies are attracted to the dwarf marigold's blooms. There are many different cultivars, but most have variegated blooms in the red, orange, yellow, and white ranges. Dwarf marigolds are an annual, so they will need to be planted every year. Does this Spark an idea?
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Instructions
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Plant dwarf marigold seeds after the danger of frost has passed. Plant the seeds in an area that receives at least six hours of sun each day.
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Plant the seeds ¼-inch deep in well-draining soil. The seeds should be spaced 12 inches apart. The dwarf marigold seeds can also be sown directly on the ground then covered with ¼ inch of soil. The seedlings should be thinned to 12-inch spacing after sprouting.
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Water the soil after planting. Keep the soil moist but not soggy during the germination period. Seeds will germinate in one week.
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Keep the seedlings watered regularly during the growth period. Do not overwater, as this will cause root rot.
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Apply fertilizer to nutrient-deficient soil during the growing period. Water the dwarf marigolds as needed. Watch out for leaf mold and insects. If leaf mold is observed, cut off affected sections of the plant. If insects are seen, try to remove them by hand. Dwarf marigolds can be treated with insect sprays, but that may kill the butterflies that are attracted to the flowers.
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Flowers will develop in 45 to 50 days. The dwarf marigold will bloom almost continuously from May through October, and even later in some of the warmer climates.
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Cut back the dead flowers with plant shears. This helps the dwarf marigold produce more flowers.
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