Zinnia – 1000 Seeds – Annual Flowers – Large Flowers – Beds & Containers

Main Features: Botanical Name: Calendula officinalis German Name: Marigold Type: Annual plant (sometimes biennial in mild regions) Number of Seeds: 50 Sowing Time: March to May (outdoors) or February to April (under cover) Flowering: June until the first frost (until October-November) Height: 30–50 cm Flower Color: Bright yellow-orange to deep orange Flower Form: Single or double depending on variety Location: Full sun to partial shade Hardiness: Winter-hardy, withstands light frost (down to –5°C) Description: Marigold is an essential garden flower. Prized for its abundant and long-lasting blooms, it offers a wonderful palette of yellows and oranges from spring until frost. Very easy to grow, it finds its place in beds, borders, vegetable gardens, as well as in window boxes. Its edible flowers and healing properties make it a plant that is both decorative and useful. Plant Characteristics: Foliage: Light green, slightly sticky, with elongated leaves Flowers: Yellow-orange to bright orange, daisy-shaped Flowering: Abundant and continuous, from June until frost Scent: Light, resinous Uses: Ornamental: Beds, borders, window boxes, pots Vegetable Garden: Companion plant that attracts pollinators and repels certain pests Edible: Petals used in salads, rice, or for coloring food Medicinal: Soothing and wound-healing properties (teas, oil infusions) Cosmetics: Making balms and creams Sowing and Cultivation: Sowing: Time: Pre-cultivation under cover: February to April, in pots or trays. Direct sowing outdoors: March to May, directly in place. Depth: Sow seeds 0.5–1 cm deep, lightly cover with fine soil. Germination Temperature: 15–20°C Germination Time: 7 to 14 days Planting Spacing: Thin or prick out to 25–30 cm spacing. Row spacing 30–40 cm. Cultivation and Care: Soil: Normal, well-drained. Marigolds tolerate most soils, even poor. Location: Full sun to partial shade. A sunny location promotes abundant flowering. Watering: Regular during growth. Once established, marigolds tolerate drought, but regular watering prolongs flowering. Fertilization: Low requirements. An application of compost before sowing is sufficient. Avoid excessive nitrogen, which promotes leaf growth at the expense of flowers. Care: Regularly remove faded flowers to prolong flowering and prevent the plant from exhausting itself. Diseases: Not very susceptible. Too much moisture can encourage powdery mildew. Ensure adequate spacing between plants for good air circulation. Harvesting Flowers: For consumption or care: Harvest flowers in the morning after the dew has dried. Use fresh petals or dry them in the shade. For seeds: Let some flowers fade and dry on the plant. Seeds are harvested when the flower heads are dry and brown. Marigolds self-seed naturally in the garden. Tips: Marigolds are excellent companions in the vegetable garden: they attract pollinators and repel certain aphids and nematodes. For continuous flowering, regularly remove faded flowers. This encourages the formation of new buds. Marigolds self-seed spontaneously year after year, allowing a natural presence in the garden. The flowers are edible and can be used to add a splash of color and a slightly peppery taste to salads. Packaging: 50 seeds.