Calendula

The Calendula genus includes more than 20 herbaceous and semi-shrubby annual and perennial species, some of them wild-growing. Field calendula (Calendula arvensis) 15-20 cm high is characterized by a creeping stem and sulfur-yellow flowers that bloom in spring. The most common type is calendula officinalis, which has long been cultivated as a medicinal and ornamental plant. This is an annual strongly branched herbaceous species, 40-60 cm high. The leaves are obovate-lanceolate. The stems are thick, brittle and pubescent. Bright orange-yellow inflorescences-baskets are large, up to 10 cm in diameter, double and non-double, there are two colors. It blooms in spring, and continues to bloom until autumn. There are very decorative varieties, hybrids, included in various garden groups. 'Geisha' is a cultivar with double bright orange and reddish flowers and tongue-shaped flowers bent like chrysanthemums on long peduncles. The Lemon Queen has large, beautiful lemon-yellow flowers. 'Lemon crown' is a low-growing variety with lemon-yellow flowers, used for flower beds and borders. 'Orange Crown' is also a low-growing variety, the flowers are bright orange. 'Golden cornice' has bright orange double flowers; its tubular middle flowers are black. In addition, there are very many old and improved varieties and hybrids, primarily differing in the type of inflorescences.

The Calendula genus includes more than 20 herbaceous and semi-shrubby annual and perennial species, some of them wild-growing.

Field calendula (Calendula arvensis) 15-20 cm high is characterized by a creeping stem and sulfur-yellow flowers that bloom in spring.

The most common type is calendula officinalis, which has long been cultivated as a medicinal and ornamental plant. This is an annual strongly branched herbaceous species, 40-60 cm high. The leaves are obovate-lanceolate. The stems are thick, brittle and pubescent. Bright orange-yellow inflorescences-baskets are large, up to 10 cm in diameter, double and non-double, there are two colors. It blooms in spring, and continues to bloom until autumn.

There are very decorative varieties, hybrids, included in various garden groups. 'Geisha' is a cultivar with double bright orange and reddish flowers and tongue-shaped flowers bent like chrysanthemums on long peduncles. The Lemon Queen has large, beautiful lemon-yellow flowers. 'Lemon crown' is a low-growing variety with lemon-yellow flowers, used for flower beds and borders. 'Orange Crown' is also a low-growing variety, the flowers are bright orange. 'Golden cornice' has bright orange double flowers; its tubular middle flowers are black. In addition, there are very many old and improved varieties and hybrids, primarily differing in the type of inflorescences.

Cultivation

Calendula is grown in the open ground in flower beds, borders, cuttings, and also in pots on balconies and terraces. Plants have no special requirements for the soil. It is recommended to apply potassium sulfate at the rate of 150 g/m2 and iron sulfate in the amount of 15 g/m2 under the nails. When growing in a pot, use a mixture consisting of 2/3 of turf and 1/3 of peat with the addition of potassium sulfate and iron sulfate. In hot, dry conditions, marigold flowering stops, inflorescences become smaller.

Calendula is grown in the open ground in flower beds, borders, cuttings, and also in pots on balconies and terraces. Plants have no special requirements for the soil. It is recommended to apply potassium sulfate at the rate of 150 g/m2 and iron sulfate in the amount of 15 g/m2 under the nails. When growing in a pot, use a mixture consisting of 2/3 of turf and 1/3 of peat with the addition of potassium sulfate and iron sulfate. In hot, dry conditions, marigold flowering stops, inflorescences become smaller.

Location

Calendulas need a place in the open sun (plants are light-loving).

Temperature

Plants are cold-resistant, although they also tolerate high air temperature.

Watering

Water moderately regularly; calendula does not tolerate excessive moisture.

Reproduction

Calendulas are propagated by seeds, sowing them in the spring directly into the ground in the open air or in the winter. Shoots appear in 1-2 weeks. Plants sown in the ground bloom in an average of 2.5 months.

Diseases

Powdery mildew on the green parts of the plant indicates the appearance of Erysiphe polygoni, which is easy to get rid of with karathane treatment. First, dark green spots appear on the leaves, then they turn brown and dry up - this is how one of the types of smut (Entyloma calendulae) appears, which is eliminated by processing with maneb. Viral diseases (cucumber mosaic) are the cause of deformation and the appearance of yellow specks on the leaves. Remove the diseased parts. The leaves are affected by the larvae of one of the leafworms (Phytomyza atricormis), against which phosphoric acid esters are effective. They are also used to control other insect pests, such as aphids and Western flea.

Acquisition

Seeds are easily found at any points selling plants. Check that they are fresh, this guarantees germination.