Calendula officinalis

Calendula Officinalis, also known as marigold, has bright yellow or orange flowers. It has a long florescence from April to September, and fruiting from June to October. Marigold is one of the most common herbal flowers grown in garden and city. It can be used as dye, cosmetic, medicine or food. Its leaves and petals can be used as a decoration in dishes. 
Marigold has a variety of vitamins, especially vitamin A and C. Its petals have cosmetic functions, such as avoiding skin flabby wrinkle. It can also prevent pigmentation, improving skin gloss and elasticity and slow down aging. 
The optimum growth temperature for marigold is around 7℃ to 20℃. If the temperature is too low, you can cover the plant with plastic film to avoid freezing damage. When the seedlings are young, you can improve the humidity of soil, which was beneficial to stem and leaf growth. When the plants grow older, the soil needs to be slightly dry to avoid overgrowth of stem. 
Marigold is not resistant to hot weather, but it grows well in sunny environment, especially in winter when seedlings is cultivated in shed. Sufficient sunlight will help seedlings grow balanced and strong. If it encounters rainy and snowy days, the base of the leaf will become yellow or rot. The plant needs deep, loose and soil with good drainage system. 
You can choose excellent marigold species to hybrid for seeds. In sunny weather, spread the seeds on the ground for 4 to 6 hours, thus will kill surface pathogenic bacteria through ultraviolet radiation. This method can help enhance seed vitality, improving germination rate. Sowing can be carried out when the average temperature is stable above 13℃. And you may cover a plastic film on the soil to keep heat. 
Generally, seeds can emerge after 5 to 10 days after sowing. If soil humidity is too high or the temperature is too low, the seeds will emerge slower. When seedlings grows to about 5 cm , you can remove the plastic film in suitable weather.. 
Marigold is a medium water demand plant. Lack of water will lead to short plant, while excessive irrigation will cause the overgrowth of plant. 

3-6 hours of sun per day, with protection from intense mid-day sun

Water moderately, allowing the top 3cm to dry out between watering.

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Calendula Officinalis

Calendula officinalis

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