Do marigold seeds come true?

Collecting seeds from marigold flowers is easy. That being said, the plants don’t form recognizable seed pods, so finding the seeds is tricky if you don’t know where to look. Choose a flower head that is very withered and dried out. It should be mostly brown, with just a little bit of green left at the base.

How does a marigold produce seeds?

Once the flowers have been pollinated and fertilized, marigolds produce seeds inside a small green receptacle located just below the petals. This is where the flowers originally emerged, and it remains on the plant as the flowers fade and the seeds dry.

How long does it take for marigold seeds to mature?

Marigolds germinate quickly, sprouting within a few days and blooming in about 8 weeks, making them easy to grow from seed. Sow seeds directly outside after all danger of frost has passed and the soil has begun to warm up. Sow seeds 1 inch apart and water thoroughly after planting.

Can I eat marigold flowers?

Marigolds are eaten as petals or leaves, raw or blanched, fresh or dry, sweet or savory. The trimmed marigold tastes much milder than the flower smells, of a lush tropical garden, herbaceous and pleasantly bitter.

Can we eat marigold flowers?

Edible Flowers* All marigold flowers are edible (including calendula, also known as pot marigold)—but not all marigold flowers are tasty. For best flavor, grow Tagetes patula (French marigold), Tagetes tenuifolia (Gem marigolds) or Tagetes lucida (Mexican mint marigold).

How do you know if a marigold seed is viable?

Take the seeds and place them in a container of water. Let the seeds sit for 15 minutes. If the seeds sink, they are still viable; if they float, discard, because they probably will not sprout.

Will marigolds reseed themselves?

Do marigolds spread? Marigolds are rapidly growing plants and most varieties are self-seeding, which means they will drop seeds and spread throughout your yard or garden.

Can you just scatter marigold seeds?

Marigolds can grow in a variety of soils, but they prefer rich, well-draining soil if they can get it. Scatter your seeds on the ground and cover them with a thin layer of very fine soil. Water gently and regularly over the next week to keep the soil from drying out.

Should I soak marigold seeds?

Flowers. Large seeds such as sunflowers and nasturtiums benefit from soaking in warm water overnight. Smaller seeds such as zinnia and marigolds can be soaked as well.

How can you tell if a marigold seed is good?

Marigold seeds are long, slender, and pointed. They are dark on one end and light on the other. Take each bloom, and pull the seeds away from the base. Then, discard the base.