African Marigold Pictures

Description

The African Marigold (Tagetes erecta) is an annual flower that ranges across the southern parts of North America, and into South America as well. It most commonly grows in pine or oak forests, or in areas where these trees are common. It is actually a cultivar of the Mexican Marigold.
The African Marigold plant grows 40 cm high, and each plant spreads out my 1 meter. The African Marigold likes its soil to be in between dry and moist, and it needs to be well-drained. They also need good sunlight to grow properly.
Other common names for the African Marigold are Aztec Marigold, Chambergo and Fleurs Souci.
African Marigold Classification
- Kingdom: Plantae
 - Division: Magnoliophyta
  - Class: Mangnoliopsida
   - Order: Asterales
    - Family: Asteraceae
     - Tribe: Tageteae
      - Genus: Tagetes
       - Species: Tagetes erecta (Cultivar)
Growing African Marigolds
African Marigolds are one of the easiest flowers to grow, and are easy to start from seeds. They give gardens a nice, bright, cheerful touch.
Sowing Marigold Seeds, and Soil
African Marigolds require nutrient rich, well-drained soil to grow properly. You can start growing African Marigolds inside or outside. If you choose to start them indoors, plant them 6 to 8 week's before the last frost date. If you start them outdoors, make sure the last frost has taken place, and sow the seeds right into the ground, leaving about 1/4 inch of soil above the seed. If you planted seedlings, pinch off any blooms so the plants energy will be focused on root development.

Growing, Fertilizer and Pruning
As they start to grow, thin them out by gently pulling out extra seedlings. You want your African Marigolds to grow about 12 inches apart. Add mulch over the soil around your African Marigolds to keep in moisture. Mulch also helps prevent weeds from growing in your garden. African Marigolds are hardy plants, and should grow with regular watering. If desired, you can use fertilizer on your African Marigolds every four to six weeks. When blooms are finished, pinch them off. This will direct energy to new blooms, and prolong flowering.