They can be found everywhere - in a garden plot, in a public garden or city park, wherever they grow, flowers decorate flower beds and fill the air with a unique aroma. Their charming petals resemble velvet, which is why the flowers have such an unusual name. , as they are also called, are hardy and unpretentious, it is quite simple to grow them, their popularity is also explained by the fact that they bloom from mid-summer until the onset of frost. Flowers do not need special care, but still, you need to know something about their cultivation, for example, what diseases of marigolds are, what pests should be feared and how to deal with them.

Description and features

Marigolds grow in a beautiful bush, the height of which can be 20 or 120 centimeters, depending on the variety. They bloom beautifully and for a long time, from June to the beginning of the first autumn frosts.

The root of the annual plant is fibrous, and the erect stem has many branches. Most varieties of marigolds have separate leaves; flowers with whole and serrated leaves are often attacked by pests - aphids, thrips and caterpillars. Not all bright and large flowers are terry, there are also simple ones. The color palette is varied - from bright yellow to dark. There are new varieties - green Chernobrivtsy, and even those whose petals are white, but, despite their external attractiveness, these varieties are whimsical and demanding, besides, they have low immunity. Often they become the object of attack by pests, especially aphids and thrips like to feast on them. Aphids eat the flowers themselves, and thrips drink the juice.

Florists love these flowers, they are resistant to diseases, many pests bypass them, but this is not always the case.

Black leg, how dangerous the disease is, and how to deal with it

This is the most common disease of Chernobrivtsy, especially young shoots.

If, after carefully examining the lower part of the stem, you notice a small light coating, which darkened and turned into spots in a few days, then the process of decay begins. No matter what you try to do, the flowers cannot be saved, they will die.

Sick plants should be dug up by the roots and removed from the site and burned. The main thing is that no harmful bacteria remain in the soil. But, as you know, it is easier to prevent a disease than to cure it, therefore, we must not forget about preventive measures:

• seed is treated with any fungicide;
• the soil at the site of the future planting also needs to be treated with a fungicide;
• young shoots are recommended to be watered with a light solution of manganese.

If the black leg appeared on the seedlings, the seedlings are removed.

Information for beginners:

• Getting started with any pesticide, including fungicide, you need to carefully study the instructions. A large dose of the drug can cause stunting and little or no flowering.
• If you notice a bloom on young plants, take ash or calcined sand and sprinkle them on the ground under the flowers. It happens that these methods of struggle are not effective, and the disease progresses, do not be discouraged, carefully, so as not to damage the root, dig up healthy flowers and transplant them to another place, do not forget to treat the earth with fungicides as well.

What is root rot dangerous and how to prevent it

Young marigolds often suffer from blackleg, and older plants from root rot. Stunting, yellowing leaves and wilting of the bush are a sure sign that root rot has appeared. The affected bush cannot be saved, but the disease can be prevented.

The main condition for the health of marigolds is proper care:

• the soil in which the flowers are planted must be loose;
• watering should be regular, but not plentiful, so that excess moisture does not provoke the development of the disease;
• it is necessary to ensure free access of air to the root system, for this the soil is loosened;
• regular weeding and removal of weeds;
• you can not bring fresh manure into the soil in a flower bed;
• again, where sick Chernobrivtsy grew a year earlier, it is impossible to plant plants.

Sick marigolds should be removed from the flower bed in a timely manner.

Marigolds suffer from viral diseases

Sometimes in a flower bed you can see a flower with yellowed, deformed shoots, there may be black dots on the yellow bloom, and the dots quickly increase in size. The buds and flowers of such marigolds are not beautiful, underdeveloped, there are no seeds. The culprit for this is a viral disease, unfortunately, flowers cannot be helped. A diseased plant must be dug up with a root, taken from a flower bed and burned.

What are dangerous insect pests and how to deal with them

Insect pests are no less a threat to flowers, the most dangerous among them: spider mites, greenhouse whiteflies, slugs, snails, thrips, caterpillars, aphids.

spider mite. The insect appears most often on young marigolds - on seedlings growing at home or in a greenhouse, the main reason for its appearance is dry air. In dry and hot weather, it can also be found on middle-aged stems. Ticks eat leaves, they first turn white, then dry, and a raid on them is proof that an insect was sitting there.

The tick does not like high humidity, therefore, the more often you spray the flowers with plain water, the more likely it is that the pest will not destroy them. They do this both indoors where seedlings grow and on the street.

A spray of water from a hose, the smell of tansy and nearby petunia will protect the flowers and prolong their flowering period. Spraying with water-diluted infusion of tobacco with crushed laundry soap helps.

Slugs and snails. A great danger to flowers, especially in rainy summers, are slugs and snails. The slug eats large leaves so hard that holes appear in them, sometimes the pest eats the fleshy stem from below. It is difficult to see this, since he eats at night, he is given out by traces - shiny stripes that are clearly visible in the morning. In a short time, slugs can destroy many beautiful flowers.

Planks, pieces of thick fabric, cut potatoes or apples will help preserve flowers, slugs will try to get comfortable under these little things. Stock up on friction, slugs are not the most charming creatures on the planet, but by periodically collecting them, you will be calm about the health and decorative appearance of your marigolds.

You can try to sprinkle the bush and the ground under it with ashes, or sprinkle it with a solution of mustard, the slugs do not tolerate its smell. The most reliable way to get rid of intruders is to collect pests and put slugs in a jar.

thrips. Buds of Chernobrivtsy, or rather their juice - that's what thrips love. The little insect does not eat the leaves, it is only interested in the bud. Thrips are so small that it is very difficult to see them, but the holes in the petals eloquently indicate their presence. The bud on which the thrips settled will first rot, then dry up and fall off without opening. A plant that an insect eats will not please with its flowering, although there is an opinion that they bypass the place where marigolds grow.

Aphid. Aphids are very insidious, they eat quickly, and in a short time they can spoil the foliage by drinking the juice from both it and the buds. This will be followed by wilting and death of flowers. Large colonies of aphids literally sprinkle stems, shoots, leaves and buds. Aphids are very dangerous, you need to fight them with chemicals, but sometimes a strong jet of water from a hose is enough, although the likelihood that they will return is very high. Chemical preparations should be used according to the instructions, the treatment should be repeated after ten days, and, for the purpose of prevention, after rain.

caterpillars. Not only ticks, aphids, thrips and slugs love marigolds, they are also destroyed by caterpillars. If the caterpillars gnawed the leaves, the flowers will no longer look beautiful. Sometimes the leaves are twisted, which means that the caterpillars wrapped the larvae in them. You can destroy them with the help of chemicals or by sprinkling flowers with ashes, but the first method is still more reliable.

Marigolds are defenders

Despite the problems described above, in most cases, pests bypass marigolds. Only improper care leads to the fact that the flowers have to be saved.

If the disease is detected in a timely manner or pests are detected, the flowers can be saved. Therefore, when caring, inspect the marigolds, surround them with attention and care, and then they will grow up healthy and strong. The sooner you start fighting pests, destroying caterpillars, doing everything so that aphids and slugs leave your flower bed, the more likely you are to save your marigolds.

These flowers are reliable protection for flower beds and gardens. Cabbage, phloxes, roses and many other plants in the neighborhood of Chernobrivtsy will grow healthy and beautiful, as the aroma of marigolds will scare away unexpected guests. The proud lily will be saved from the lily beetle, gladioli from nematodes and thrips, and flowering plants sprayed with marigold infusion will be saved from bedbugs and fleas.

These unpretentious pretty flowers are known to every gardener. Marigolds, Chernobrivtsy, Tagetes - tall and short, bushy and compact ... We love them for their continuous flowering until the very frosts and, most importantly, for the reliable protection of our vegetable crops from pests and diseases. But as it turns out, these resistant flowers can also get sick.

After the long June rains, I noticed that my already blooming Chernobrivtsy suddenly drooped, began to wither. A few plants had to be thrown away. To figure out what is happening, I was helped by the summer resident Irina Karpik, a big lover of these flowers.

Marigolds: the most common flower diseases

“Most often, marigolds are affected by black leg and destructive root rot,” she said. Yes, don't be surprised. A disease that destroys tomato seedlings is also detrimental to such resistant plants.

Blackleg

It is found most often on marigolds. In the lower parts of the stems on young plants, light spots first form. Then they darken, and it is already clear that this is rot, and the spots become, as it were, patterned, with “constrictions”. If measures are not taken in time, the plant will die and at the same time infect the surrounding flowers.

If the ill-fated black leg nevertheless attacked the beautiful marigolds, all infected plants should be removed immediately. And the frequency of watering is noticeably reduced, watered only when the top soil layer dries slightly. Around unaffected plants, I sprinkle the soil with perlite or wood ash.

If other bushes also start to hurt, you need to transplant them to a new place as soon as possible, and pickle the soil with fungicides. I prefer to use biological preparations - phytosporin or trichodermin.

With these preparations, I process the seeds of flowers, and the soil before sowing and before planting. Such treatment helps not only from the black leg, but also from all sorts of other ailments. And I recommend watering young shoots from time to time with a weak solution of potassium permanganate. Just do not abuse such watering. Frequent use of manganese can lead to the death of plants. This has happened in my practice. Due to inexperience, she ruined almost all her flowers.

root rot

You can’t recognize it right away, ”continues Irina. - Marigolds growing in open ground first stop developing, then noticeably turn yellow and die.

In order for the flowers not to get sick with destructive root rot, it is necessary to create the most favorable conditions for them: plants are planted only in fairly loose soil, which must be regularly weeded and additionally loosened. In addition, it is important to try in every possible way to avoid excessive watering and, especially, stagnant water.

It is not necessary to fertilize the growing marigolds with fresh manure and plant them in those areas where plants affected by root rot were found in previous seasons.

Gray rot

It develops on marigolds in rather cool, damp and humid weather - this is exactly what June “pleased” us with. And also if the landings are too thick. Wet dark brown spots begin to appear on the stems and leaves.

All affected plants must be removed, otherwise they will quickly infect their healthy counterparts.
Thickened plantings can also lead to other diseases, mainly viral ones. In summer, you can see plants with yellowed shoots and deformed leaves. At the same time, brownish, beige or yellow spots often form on the leaves. The buds on such plants are most often underdeveloped, but there are no seeds.

Alas, this infection cannot be treated - all plants on which the above symptoms were found must be removed and burned as soon as possible.

But if your marigolds died during return frosts, which also happens, then you should not throw them away. Frozen plants can be excellent gardening helpers. It is enough just to bury them in a compost heap, and neither midges nor any other harmful insects will start in it!

It is not easy to create zones of continuous flowering in the garden. To do this, you need to know well the biological characteristics of each plant species, properly prepare the earth mixture, choose the best place for planting, take into account height and tiering, and, of course, flowering time.

Marigolds bloom all summer and autumn until the very frosts.

For planting such complex flower beds, perennials are used. But a well-chosen mixborder requires constant attention. Another option is to fill the flower beds with flowering annuals.

Such flower beds require annual planting, but are attractive because of the possibility of creating bright spots. The color scheme of the summers is unusually wide, allowing you to place the necessary accents in various parts of the garden. But here, too, pitfalls are possible. Either it’s too hot - the flowers grow smaller, then endless rains pour - and the letniki get wet, lie down, take on an untidy look, or even the seedlings just got frail and don’t want to grow up and bloom. An absolutely win-win option is to use marigolds to create bright and constantly blooming spots.

Marigolds are so unpretentious that one cannot do without them, not without reason in urban flower beds, where the conditions for plant growth and care are very difficult, the main emphasis is on these flowers. It is marigolds (or tagetis) that give the very effect of constant flowering, which is so difficult to achieve. Planted in the ground in the spring, but already blooming, they will continue to bloom until serious autumn frosts. For five long months, flower beds decorated with marigolds will be bright and sunny. The color scheme of tagetis falls on the yellow, orange, red and brown sectors. The use of varieties of different heights will allow you to create the necessary tiering.

Marigolds are so unassuming that you can't do without them.

Marigolds, or tagetis, grow wild in North America. In decorative floriculture, many varieties obtained from three species are used.

Marigolds are erect, or African (Tagetes egesta), grow into a large bush, 80–120 cm high, compact or sprawling, but with a distinct main shoot. The shoots are not numerous, but all are directed upwards, which is why the shape of the bush seems to be reverse pyramidal. Inflorescences - large single baskets, semi-double, simple, but more often double in shape, 6–13 cm in diameter. The color of the inflorescences is usually monophonic, bright yellow, bright orange, less often two-color. Sometimes the edge of each petal is slightly lighter than the main tone.

Marigolds rejected, or French (Tagetes patula), are much lower than erect ones (15–50 cm), but form sprawling bushes, branching almost from the ground. Inflorescences-baskets are single or collected in inflorescences with a diameter of 4–6 cm. The shape of the baskets is: double, semi-double or simple yellow, orange, red-brown, often two-tone. They bloom very profusely. This species includes the largest number of the most widely distributed varieties.

Thin-leaved marigolds, or Mexican marigolds (Tade "e $ (epshgoNa), are undersized plants that form elegant compact bushes 20–40 cm high. Small simple baskets 1.5–3 cm in diameter are collected in corymbose, abundantly flowering inflorescences. The color of the inflorescences is often yellow and orange Varieties derived from this species are excellent border plants.

Planting marigolds

Marigolds are grown both by sowing in the ground and by seedlings. The second way is preferable, providing the longest flowering and immediately, after planting, making the flower garden decorative. Seedlings appear 5–7 days after sowing, after another couple of weeks the seedlings dive, which favors good growth of the root system and the production of strong plants. Seedlings of marigolds are usually strong, strong, not afraid of transplants. Even if the seedlings are not grown in separate cups, but in boxes, the tagetis roots do not suffer too much during division. Often, after planting marigolds in the ground, the leaves of the seedlings acquire a dark red, burgundy or purple hue. The anthocyanin color that appears is the reaction of plants to bright sunlight. Over time, having adapted to the new habitat, the marigold leaves will turn green again. The value of marigolds is also in the fact that they significantly heal the soil in which they are planted.

Publication date: 03/04/09

Cute and unpretentious marigolds, which reliably protect the vegetable crops we grow from various diseases and pests, can sometimes get sick themselves. Most often, these beautiful and easy-to-grow plants are affected by black leg and destructive root rot. How to recognize the manifestations of this or that misfortune on luxurious marigolds in order to make a “diagnosis” on them in time and even try to save them?

Blackleg

This disease is most common on marigolds. In the lower parts of the stems on young plants, the formation of first light-colored, and subsequently darkening and decaying spots with constrictions begins. Such damage leads to wilting and death of plants.

In order to prevent the development of harmful attack, the soil before sowing marigolds, as well as plant seeds, must be treated with fungicides. And young shoots are recommended to be watered from time to time with a weak solution of potassium permanganate. Just do not abuse such watering - the frequent use of manganese can lead to oppression of plants.

If the ill-fated blackleg nevertheless attacked the beautiful marigolds, all infected plants should be removed immediately. And the frequency of watering in this case is noticeably reduced - seedlings are watered only when the top soil layer dries slightly. Around unaffected plants, the soil must be sprinkled with perlite or wood ash. If these measures did not give absolutely no effect, marigolds should be transplanted into new soil as quickly as possible.

root rot

Marigolds growing in open ground are easily affected by harmful root rot. Their growth when affected by these fungal diseases slows down significantly, and beautiful plants first turn yellow and then die.

In order to prevent damage to marigolds by destructive root rot, it is necessary to create the most favorable conditions for them: plants are planted only in fairly loose soil, which must be regularly weeded and additionally loosened. In addition, it is important to try in every possible way to avoid excessive watering and, especially, extremely undesirable stagnation of water. It is also not recommended to fertilize growing marigolds with fresh manure and plant them in areas where plants affected by root rot were found in previous seasons.

Gray rot

This disease develops on marigolds in fairly cool, damp and humid weather, as well as in case of excessive planting density. On the stems and on the leaves of beautiful flowers, wet spots of dark brown color begin to appear. All affected plants must be removed without fail, otherwise they will quickly infect their healthy counterparts.

Viral diseases

In excessively thickened plantings of marigolds in the summer, you can see plants with yellowed shoots and deformed leaves. At the same time, brownish, beige or yellow spots often form on the leaves. The buds on such plants, as a rule, are underdeveloped, and the seeds are completely absent. All these signs indicate that marigolds are affected by viral ailments. Alas, this infection cannot be treated - all plants on which the above symptoms were found must be promptly eliminated from the plots and burned without delay.

What to do with frozen flowers?

Frozen marigolds can also become excellent helpers for a gardener - in no case should such flowers be thrown away! It is enough just to bury them in a compost heap, and neither midges nor any other harmful insects will start in it!

The subspecies belongs to the Aster family (Asteraceae). The branches are sprawling, the bush has a compact shape, its height varies depending on each particular variety - from 30 to 120 cm (read how to care for low-growing varieties of marigolds). The root system is fibrous, the usual shape of the leaves is dissected (less common is whole and serrated foliage).

Marigolds are divided into annual and perennial (you can learn about the types and varieties of perennial and annual marigolds, as well as see photos of plants). Flowers can be simple and double, the color palette is diverse (white, brown, yellow varieties). When grown at home, the inflorescences are medium and large in size, in conditions of wild germination, the flowers are small.

You can learn more about the varieties of marigolds, as well as see photos of plants.

Common diseases

On a note. Flowers emit a specific smell, which creates a natural defense against pests.

A special aroma is formed due to the high content of phytoncides. Diseases and problems with the structure of the bush most often arise as a result of improper care.

The lack of color can cause an abundance of fertilizer and moisture (the bush gives all its strength to the formation of green mass), drought, lack of air in the soil, or lack of natural light.

How to diagnose a problem? The bush looks healthy, but there is no ovary on the stem. A distinctive feature of this problem is thick and fleshy leaves. What to do to activate flowering?

1. Adding sun. The sun's rays will make the flowering lush and chic. It is necessary to plant seedlings of marigolds in areas where sunlight enters in moderation (scorching rays will lead to a gradual drying of the bush). Natural lighting activates flowering in the morning and evening, and on a hot afternoon, the bush can be covered with agrofibre, forming an artificial shadow.
2. We are watering. When the first buds form, reduce the number of waterings. Excessive moisture inhibits flowering and provokes putrefactive processes. It is advisable to water the bushes 1 time in 2 days (the water should be warm).
3. We apply fertilizer moderately. It is allowed to feed the bush only when the stem is above 10 cm. Complex fertilizers must be applied before or after flowering. It is forbidden to use fresh and clean humus. A suitable option is a mixture of nitrogen and potassium, phosphorus and trace elements. For 10 liters of water, add 2 tbsp. top dressing and apply to the soil in the evening.
4. We provide air supply. The soil must be loosened and weeded after each watering. For the best effect, moist loosened soil should be covered with hay or sawdust - this minimizes the rapid evaporation of moisture.

Reference! For better flowering of marigolds, regular pruning of dried inflorescences should be carried out. Faded buds delay the formation of new ovaries.

Why do they wither?

Flowers are unpretentious in care, but sudden changes in temperature can adversely affect the condition of the bush. Marigolds may begin to wither due to watering with cold water (if it's hot outside).

On a note. It is better to water in the evening with water that has warmed up all day in the sun.

The bush can also wither due to bad seeds or unsuitable soil. For the next season, it is better to buy seeds in a special store (the material will be of better quality than with self-collection). It is necessary to sow marigolds in another area, having previously introduced a mixture of turf, humus, peat and sand into the soil (proportions 1: 1: 1: 0.5).

What to do if the bush disappears?

The bush most often disappears due to the development of a black leg. This is a fungal disease that affects the stem on its lower part. White spots form on it, then they turn brown, decay processes begin, and the bush withers and dies. Treatment with a fungicide or a solution of potassium permanganate (1 tsp per 2 liters of water) will help eliminate the signs.

To prevent the disease, marigolds should be planted in disinfected and pickled soil. How to disinfect soil? You can perform the procedure with the help of chemicals - treatment with a 3% solution of copper sulfate or adding a composition of oxychome and copper to the top layer.

Another option is biological disinfection. In late autumn, the Baikal preparation (model EM-1) must be applied to the soil. Under the action of its components, harmful microorganisms will be destroyed, and the soil will be healed.

Gray rot is a common reason for the loss of a bush. Among the causes of the disease are low air temperature, dampness and dense planting. The list of characteristic features includes brown small spots along the veins on the leaf, its subsequent drying out. Infected plants are best uprooted and destroyed (cannot be treated).

Attention! The bush also disappears due to the development of root rot. The infected plant is stunted, its stem and leaves turn yellow.

To prevent the disease, it is necessary to cut off the dead parts from the bush in a timely manner, and if the plant is heavily infected, uproot and discard it.

Some insects also affect the state of the bush:

• snails and slugs (eat leaves at night);
• whitefly (feeds on juice from leaves, carries the threat of infection with soot fungus).

You can get rid of pests by treating the bush several times with any insecticides of complex action. Prevention from insects - treatment of marigolds with a composition of warm water and mustard.

To prepare it, mix 0.5 liters of water and 2 tbsp. dry mustard. Put the ingredients in a water bath, wait for the mustard to dissolve. Cool the product, pour into a sprayer and treat the bush in the early morning and evening.

Another proven folk method is to pour a layer of ash mixed with lime under the bush (take the components in equal amounts).

The healthy appearance of marigolds depends on the quality of care. With an abundance of moisture, rot affects the flowers, and during drought, a tick starts on the leaves. What are the basic care rules you need to know?

1. The bush requires moderate lighting. To create a natural shade next to the marigolds, you can plant taller plants.
2. Seeds should be sown in open ground no earlier than mid-May (read about the features of growing marigolds from seeds, and from you will learn how and when it is better to collect marigold seeds). Before the first shoots appear, the soil should be covered with a protective material (lutrasil).
3. When growing seedlings in a pot, drainage (crushed stone or coarse sand) should be poured into its bottom - a preventive measure against fungal diseases.
4. Abundant spring fertilizer provokes active growth and delayed flowering. Potassium, phosphate and a low concentration of humus are suitable as top dressing (you can find out how to feed marigolds for abundant flowering).
5. Marigolds easily tolerate transplantation (even in flowering state).

- unpretentious and unusual plants with a bright flower and a pleasant aroma. For the prevention of diseases, it is advisable to treat the soil with fungicides or a weak solution of potassium permanganate. When the stem is infected with a fungus, it is better to throw out the bush in order to preserve the health of neighboring plants. Pest control consists in treating the bush with insecticides.

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