Marigolds are hardy plants, great for cheering up any garden. There are two genus’s which are referred to by the common name Marigolds, which are Tagetes and Celandula. Tagetes include African Marigolds and French Marigolds. Celandula includes Pot Marigolds. The marigold was a commonly used herbal plant in the medical system of many ancient civilizations. This plant is cultivated in gardens mainly as an ornamental herb nowadays.
In Indonesia it is called Kenikir and the Balinese name is Bungan Mitir or Gemitir. The plants used in Bali usually have yellow-gold flowers, and sometimes light red or brown and it blooms continually. The flower is grown commercially up in the mountains of Bali. Every morning they are brought down in truckloads to be sold at the markets, very much like in India. This plant specifically has a role in Balinese culture as the marigold is commonly used for offerings. The golden yellow colour is associated with Sang Hyang Widhi Wasa, the supreme God in Balinese culture. In Bali, nearly every day is celebrated with offerings to the Gods. In many villages, every intersection, rice paddy and doorway receives a canang. The canang is a daily offering of rice, marigold flowers and incense, but it could include other flowers such as bougainvillea, ylang-ylang and pandan leaf and other things such as money, candy or a even a cigarette!
All marigolds are excellent for companion planting. Marigolds are revered as good companions for tomatoes, eggplant and tobacco. They discourage insects, attract bees for pollination, and also discourage nematodes in the soil. The French marigolds produce a chemical from their roots, so strong that it lasts years after they are gone. Mexican marigolds do so too, but are so strong that they will inhibit the growth of some more tender herbs. Marigolds need to be planted very thickly each year and turned into the soil at the end of each growing season in order to affect the nematodes. But don’t be deterred from growing them. Marigolds add a burst of colour to any garden and may attract helpful insects, while also repelling certain moths and flies. Butterflies also love the brightness and scent of a marigold.
To grow these colourful attractive flowers requires a fairly moist soil with a good drainage and no water logging. It tolerates a pH range from an acidic 4.5 to a very alkaline 8.3, so it will suit most soils. For best growth, it prefers full sun exposure though the plant will tolerate light shade. The plant is very easily grown from seed and can be planted to a depth of 5-10mm in the soil. The seedlings normally emerge from the soil in eight to twelve days time.
When the marigold plants are growing, the side branches must be pruned away from time to time to encourage taller growth and to induce larger blooms in the plants. To keep the plants in full bloom the dead flower heads must be removed from each plant regularly, this will ensure that the plants grow at an optimal rate and produce the best flowers. They will self sow if they are left undisturbed at a site where they are growing. The marigold can be placed in pots for keeping inside the house, or planted direct to garden beds.
Design marigold plantings based on height. Small marigolds make excellent borders and container plants. Plant them at the front of a garden or in a small space. The French marigolds are suitable for most gardens. It comes in colours such as yellow, orange and red. It grows from 15-50 cm in height. French marigolds can also be bi-colored, often seen as darker orange with yellow edging. Blooms range from 2-5 cm across.
African marigolds are a popular marigold because of their larger blooms. Different varieties include the tall African marigold, which can reach a height of one meter and the large flowered variety which produces flowers up to 10cm across, which are popular for cutting. Bloom colours are yellow and orange. These marigolds are excellent background flowers in a sunny garden. Their full growth forms a hedge. The African marigold does not have bi-colored blooms. Calendula are known by the common names of Pot Marigold or English Marigold. Calendula reaches between 30 and 60cm in height. They carry daisy-like flowers, orange or yellow in colour. This makes a great border plant.
Marigold is used in the preparation of many culinary dishes. The fresh flowers and tender leaves can be added to salads to improve the taste. Marigold is an extremely effective herb for the treatment of skin problems and can be used wherever there is inflammation of the skin, whether due to infection or physical damage. Herbal tea can be made by boiling five teaspoons of fresh flowers in two cups of water. Up to three cups of the herbal tea must be consumed everyday to get the beneficial effects. A variety of ailments were traditionally treated using marigold, which has a long history as a medicinal plant. The dried marigold flowers, leaves and roots can all be used.
When consumed, the marigold acts from the inside and has a beneficial effect on many external skin disorders including chronic eczema, acne, varicose veins and psoriasis. The fungicidal action of the marigold is well known. All types of infections caused by fungi including ringworm, athlete’s foot, and Candida or thrush can be treated using marigold. The tea is also an excellent remedy for the treatment of mouth ulcers and to treat chronic gum disease.
The menstrual cycle is traditionally believed to be influenced by marigold, due to these concerns some herbalists advise that calendula must not be consumed by pregnant women and nursing mothers.
