How to Grow
How to grow Marigold Genda Phool at home? Also learn its benefits & care tips
This bright yellow or orange colored flower is one of the most popular flowers in India. You will often see them hanging from various flower stores situated near temples.
Any guesses?!
It's marigolds
Without marigolds, you cannot imagine India. India is one of the oldest civilizations in the world practicing Hinduism, and marigolds are one of the most prominent flowers used to worship various gods and goddesses.
This flower is said to represent the pure love that Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi shared. Because of this, marigolds are frequently used during weddings.
In addition to these applications, marigolds are used in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic sectors.
What more could you possibly ask of a flower?
It will naturally fight off insects when you keep it in your indoor or outdoor space, preserving your health. So, it won't be a bad idea to produce marigolds at home. You can find out all about that on this blog. We'll talk about these things:
- Interesting facts about marigold
- How to grow genda phool or marigold at home
- How to take care of marigold plant
- Benefits of marigold or genda
Continue reading the following paragraphs to learn more.
Interesting facts about marigold
- Did you know that marigolds are native to subtropical America? They have been cultivated in Mexico for over 2,000 years.
- The Aztecs were the first to utilize marigolds and believed they had magical, spiritual, and therapeutic characteristics.
- The smell of marigold flowers can keep mosquitoes, beetles, and many other insects away.
- Ask any gardener, and he/she will thank marigolds for keeping the nastiest pests and critters away.
- The marigold flower has anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, and anti-fungal properties that promote good health.
- The yellow-orange hue of the petals of marigolds is used to extract dye used in the food and textile industries.
How to grow genda phool or marigold at home
Time to grow
Early spring is the best time to grow marigolds in pots indoors. As you would be planting it inside, you don’t have to worry about the soil temperature.
Things you need
Bring the marigold seeds, a medium-sized pot, a saucer to put below the pot, and a soilless potting mix. A soilless potting mix consists of peat and bark that enhance the nutrient and water-retention capacity of the soil.
Pot and soil
Fill up the pot with this soilless potting mix and put the seeds a couple of inches apart. Cover the seeds with a quarter inch of regular potting soil.
Fertilizer
Now, mix a tablespoon of slow-release fertilizer to offer the marigold plant more nutrients.
Sunlight and temperature
If the temperature remains around 21 degrees Celsius, it will favor the plant. Keep the pot away from sunlight until germination occurs.
Germination
In about 4–14 days, the seeds will germinate. Once they do, bring them under direct sunlight on your window or balcony and keep them there for six to eight hours daily.
Watering
From this stage onwards, water the pot regularly. First, check the top layer of the soil before watering because soggy soil will lead to various diseases for the plant.
Blooming time
Keep taking good care of these potted plants with regular watering, proper sunlight, fertilizer, and occasional pruning. The new blooms will appear in about 45-60 days and dazzle up your space.
How to take care of marigold plant
Taking care of marigold plants is easy. Follow the instructions mentioned below and see them bloom and brighten your space.
Sunlight
Marigolds love the sun. Full sunlight for six to eight hours is best for the growth of these plants.
Location
As marigold plants love to be under the sun, you must choose the sunniest indoor or outdoor garden spot for them.
Soil
Marigold plants don’t have many demands. They can happily grow in any garden soil as long as it is not acidic and you offer adequate water. But these plants grow best in a well-drained loam soil. The soil pH should be between 6.0 and 7.0.
Water
Make sure your marigold seeds or seedlings receive consistent water when you plant them. Water the new plants every day if the weather is hot. They will become more resistant to drought once they have developed robust root systems, but weekly watering is still necessary for them to bloom at their best.
Temperature
The ideal temperature for marigolds is between 18 and 20 degrees Celsius, but they can also tolerate high heat.
Fertilizer
Marigolds don’t generally require fertilizer. If your soil is poor, you can use a slow-release granular fertilizer while planting the seeds. This fertilizer will stay active for 8-12 weeks. You may also choose a general-purpose fertilizer for the marigold plants and use it once a month.
Benefits of marigold or genda
In traditional medicine, marigold has been used to cure various diseases, including fever, jaundice, stomach ulcers, etc. The petals of this flower are made into extracts, infusions, or ointments for varied uses. Modern scientific research is still required to prove these fantastic benefits of marigolds; therefore, you must consult your physician before using any such medicine.
Here are some of the probable health benefits of marigolds: -
Treats wounds and heals skin
From ancient times to the present, the most common usage of calendula has been to treat skin conditions like swelling, bites, itching, burns, and wounds. Marigold has been discovered to have the power to stimulate the creation of healthy new tissue, enhance blood flow to the affected area, and increase collagen production. This collagen is what gives firmness and strength to the skin. It also moisturizes dry skin and hastens the process of skin restoration after surgery or damage. The presence of glycoproteins and nucleoproteins in marigolds is thought to stimulate the creation of epithelial cells, which make up the body's outer surface and are responsible for the marigold's capacity to help repair wounds. Additionally, it has been associated with better collagen metabolism stimulation and higher cell turnover.
Repels insects
These blossoms can be used as a natural repellent for mosquitoes, vermin, and other insects because of their potent scent, antioxidant content, and volatile oils. Because of this, marigolds are grown in backyard gardens and used as an extract in candles.
Helps in detoxification
By eliminating all poisonous substances that have accumulated in the body, marigold aids in the detoxification process. By promoting drainage and reducing lymph node inflammation, this cleansing helps our lymphatic system, which improves both our digestive and lymphatic systems.
Alleviates menstrual pain
Marigold flowers are also believed to aid in easing menstrual cramps and pains. They also properly regulate the processes in the female reproductive system.
Source of antioxidants
The oil extracted from this flower is calendula oil or marigold oil. This oil, a rich source of antioxidants, is yellow to orange. Carotenes and carotenoids are the compounds responsible for this flower's color. These phytochemicals function as precursors to vitamin A, an antioxidant.
Cure for sore throat & mouth ulcers
Because of its anti-microbial and antiseptic properties, marigold can successfully treat mouth ulcers, tonsillitis, gingivitis, and sore throats. Gargling with marigold tea may relieve pain and soothe the throat's mucous membranes.
Treating conjunctivitis
According to studies, calendula extract can effectively treat retinal inflammation diseases, including conjunctivitis. The extract has been demonstrated to have infection-reducing antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal, and immune-stimulating effects. These extracts save the eye's sensitive tissues from UV and oxidative damage, protecting eyesight.
Marigold is one of the most famous flowering plants in India. The primary reason is that they are offered to deities. The bright color of the flowers and the fact that they can repel insects and mosquitoes make them everyone’s favorite. So, bring the seeds home and grow them in your space.
Happy gardening!
FAQs related to Marigold Genda Phool
Which is the most favorable season to grow marigolds?
You can sow marigolds any time of the year. But for best results, plant in June and July for summer marigolds, and sow in September and October for winter marigolds.
Do marigold flowers bring luck?
According to Vastu experts, yellow marigold flowers are lucky for the home. They are believed to increase good luck and optimism. Probably, that’s the reason why they are placed as torans on the main door. Consider the north or east direction if you have a marigold plant at home.
What does a marigold symbolize in Hinduism and Hindu marriages?
Marigolds symbolize brightness, hope, positivity, and good luck in Hinduism.
Marigold flowers are used in Hindu marriages because they represent Lord Vishnu and Goddess Lakshmi, who are revered as the ideal couple. So, these flowers are used in weddings to seek divine blessings for the newlyweds.
How long do marigold plants take to bloom?
Marigold plants sprout in a week, assuming you take proper care. They give rise to flowers in about eight weeks.
Does a marigold require full sun?
Yes, marigold plants grow well in full sun.
