My Marigold's are blooming profusely but the plant's have not grown any since they were planted. I have picked the blooms off three times hoping that there will be some plant growth but they just put on another display of blooms. The plants are only about three inches tall with 6 or more flowers. I want them to bush out and get taller, should I feed them an extra dose of nitrogen? I am afraid they are going to bloom themselves to death (not joking) the plants are not healthy looking at all. Thank you for any help.
OK, so what variety do you have? There are various 'type' some of which do exactly those of yours are doing.... Also the growers must often use a retardent on some plants so as to allow for the time delay in shipping etc. This product often creates a much more condensed and "steriod" look to the plant material. Look into the eventual size and colour you want and see if you can locate some newer plants. And yes any plant that has an over abundance of flowers compared to the leaves must be stressing and could fail -unless you keep it optimumly fed and watered.
It sounds to me that you have the variety known as "Pot Marigolds". They are small (for keeping in pots). I suggest againt using a hi nitrogen fert. That will likely give you the growth you want, but at the expence of more blooms. They are likely a small variety and if you want to fertilize them use a flower fertilizer that is low in nitrogen so as to keep them blooming at the size they are. The alternative is a big, flowerless marigold. Michael
Thank you Anne and Michael, Guess I'll move the Marigold's I have to pots and enjoy them as they are. I didn't know there were different types , only colors, I've always had the type that spread out and fill in especially if you pick off the first blooms. Since we have a long growing season I can buy seeds of the type I want and start over. Thank's again, I am so enjoying reading and learning from your Forum.
Are they Calendulas or what I know as french marigolds (don't know their botanical name)? You might google them to identify. Margaret
Pot marigold conventionally is Calendula officinalis, and not a dwarf type of Tagetes. The latter are warmth-loving, if yours have been planted out for awhile you may have set them out too early and chilled them.
Don't know if these are Calendula or not, purchased from a local nursery who grew them himself, will check with him. Definitely not too cool, our night's have been in the upper 60's and days 80's. Thank's, Karen
