Why Study Marigold Flowers in EVS?
Have you seen the bright-coloured blooming flower in your home garden or your school’s garden? That flower is a marigold. These are the common flowers present in all gardens. It is also planted between the vegetables as it gives a strong fume which keeps the insects away. Marigolds are found in southwestern North America, Central America, and South America. There are 30 different species of marigolds known. In this article, we will discuss marigold flowers of marigolds, facts about marigolds, and marigold flower season in detail.
Flower of Marigold
Marigolds are annual plants. They are said to be annual because they are present only for one year. They are 1 to 5 feet in height. The colours of marigolds vary; they can be red, orange, or yellow. On one stem of a marigold plant, there can be one flower or many flowers of marigold. They grow mainly in sunny areas. They commonly bloom in summer. Marigolds are edible flowers, which means we can eat them.
Marigold Picture
Below is a picture of a marigold flower which will give you a clear knowledge of how it looks so that you can identify it easily in any garden.
Marigold Picture
Marigold Flower Plant
The Marigold flower plant is an annual plant. French and African marigolds fall under the genus Tagetes. The golden yellow flower with red markings is French marigold. It is a bushy plant. It is small in size. The pale yellow or deep orange marigold flowers are African marigolds. Marigolds can be grown in homes, gardens, and fields.
How to Grow Marigold?
Marigolds are easy-growing flowers. Children love gardening. They can easily grow marigolds. You will have to sow seeds, water and take good care of the growing plant. Sow the seed between March and May. We need the seed of a marigold flower, soil, manure, a flowering pot, and a cloth to wipe our hands. Marigolds grow best in a place where sunlight falls a good amount. You can plant it anywhere, like in a pot or a garden.
First, sow the seed in the pot where soil and manure are present. Within ten days, you can see the seedlings. Now, it needs 6 hours of light every day and water from time to time. It takes 5-7 days to germinate. Between 4-14 days, you can see the marigold plant.
Growing Marigold
Marigold Flower Season
In India, we can grow marigolds in any season. But the best months are May, June, and July. For the rainy season, the best sowing time is the middle of June. For the winter season, the best sowing time is the middle of August. For the summer season, the best sowing time is the first week of January.
Facts About Marigold
Now, let’s learn some interesting facts about marigolds:
Marigolds can be 6-48 inches in height and 6-36 inches wide.
There are different colours of marigolds, like red, yellow, and maroon even mixed colours are also seen.
Marigolds do not thrive during winter since they are sensitive to cold and frost.
Marigold flowers have lutein which is good for our eyes.
Marigold flowers have antibacterial and antiviral substances that give us health benefits.
Marigold flowers are used in beauty, warmth, creativity, and during the rituals of death.
It is the cultural flower of Nepal.
Marigold petals are used as herbal products.
Marigold Decoration
Summary
Marigolds are yellow-blooming flowers. It varies in colour from yellow to orange. It is used for various purposes like celebrations and death rituals. Marigold shows anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties, which make them special. They grow once a year. They are 1 to 5 feet in height. They need 5-6 hours of sunlight every day to grow properly. It germinates in 5-7 days. Marigold plants appear between 4-14 days. It should always be hydrated. May-July is the best time for the growth of marigold plants.
In this article, we discussed marigold flower information for kids, marigold picture, and marigolds flower. We hope you enjoyed reading this article!
FAQs on Marigold Flower: Facts, Uses & Importance
1. What is a marigold flower plant?
A marigold is a popular flowering plant known for its bright, cheerful flowers that are typically yellow, orange, or red. It has distinctive, strong-smelling leaves and is widely grown in gardens and pots. Marigolds belong to the sunflower family and are very common in India, used in festivals, decorations, and gardens.
2. What is the scientific name for the marigold plant?
The scientific name for the marigold plant is Tagetes. Scientists use this name to classify and identify the plant accurately, distinguishing it from other types of flowers around the world.
3. Where do marigold plants grow best?
Marigold plants thrive in places with plenty of direct sunlight. For healthy growth and lots of flowers, they need at least 6 hours of sun each day. They are very adaptable and can grow in most types of soil, as long as the soil does not hold too much water.
4. What are the main parts of a marigold plant?
A marigold plant consists of several key parts that help it grow and reproduce. These include:
- Flowers: The bright, colourful blooms that attract insects.
- Leaves: The green, fern-like parts that create food for the plant and have a strong scent.
- Stem: The central stalk that supports the leaves and flowers.
- Roots: The part below the ground that absorbs water and nutrients from the soil.
5. What are the common uses of the marigold flower, especially in India?
Marigold flowers have many important uses in India, making them very special. Their main uses are:
- Festivals and Decorations: They are used to make garlands (malas) for decorating homes, temples, and venues during festivals like Diwali and weddings.
- Religious Ceremonies: Marigolds are considered auspicious and are offered to deities during pujas.
- Natural Pest Repellent: Due to their strong smell, farmers and gardeners plant them to keep harmful insects away from other crops.
- Medicinal Properties: In some traditional remedies, they are used for their healing properties.
6. Why do marigold plants have such a strong smell?
The strong, pungent smell of a marigold plant comes from special oils produced in its leaves and flowers. This smell is a natural defence mechanism for the plant. It effectively repels many garden pests, insects, and even some small animals that might otherwise eat the plant, which is why it's known as a great companion plant in vegetable gardens.
7. Do marigold plants come back every year?
Most common types of marigolds are annual plants. This means they complete their entire life cycle in one season—from seed to flower and then producing new seeds—and do not grow back on their own the next year. To have marigolds every year, you need to plant new seeds or seedlings after the last frost.
8. How can you take care of a marigold plant at home?
Caring for a marigold plant is quite simple. First, ensure it gets plenty of sunlight. Water the plant at its base every few days, but be careful not to overwater it. It is also helpful to 'deadhead' the plant, which means pinching off any old, dried flowers. This encourages the plant to focus its energy on growing new, fresh blooms.
