French marigold Mr. Majestic is a unique, new and particularly attractive variety of French marigold. The medium-height flowers have an attractive bright yellow colour interspersed with mahogany brown stripes, and the centre of this beautiful flower is quite large and contrasting yellow. The flowers are on short stems surrounded by light green, feathery and very fragrant leaves. Mr. majestic is ideal for use at the front of borders and is spectacular when planted in large quantities, as this creates a blanket of colour. Grow some plants in flower pots so that you can quickly add colour to your border or flower bed. The French marigold is such a well-known flower that it needs no introduction. Everyone has planted French marigolds in their garden at some point. French marigolds come in all kinds of sunny and cheerful colours and colour combinations. The French marigold is a member of the Asteraceae family, as are yarrow, wormwood, yellow chamomile, true chamomile, Arnica, daisy, artichoke, marguerite, cardoon, marigold, safflower, chicory, aster, thistle, cornflower, endive, globe thistle, ragwort, lettuce, dandelion, sunflower, coneflower, cosmos and milk thistle. French marigolds are also known as Dwarf French Marigold and Dwarf Anemone French Marigold. French marigolds are also used in vegetable gardens to combat nematodes and diseases. The scent of French marigolds confuses some harmful insects, such as the cabbage white butterfly. Rub the plants regularly to release the scent. Other annual herbs such as coriander, basil and dill have a similar effect. French marigolds are also very popular with bees, butterflies and other beneficial insects. This only applies to single-flowered French marigolds. The roots of French marigolds secrete a substance called thyenyl derivative, which can attract and kill some types of nematodes. French marigolds are therefore used for many purposes, both outdoors in the garden and vegetable garden and indoors in the kitchen, and of course as decorative plants.
In our climate (the Netherlands and Belgium), French marigolds are non winter-hardy annuals. They originate from Central and South America, specifically the countries of Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Nicaragua, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Uruguay and Venezuela. Here, they grow back every spring and are therefore not hardy perennials. French marigolds consist of two large groups: low-growing and tall varieties. French marigolds need a location in full sun with sufficient shelter and well-drained soil. The petals of French marigolds are edible and can be used as decoration or added to salads, soups and other dishes. The taste of the petals varies per species and is reminiscent of aniseed, mint, citrus and cloves. The taste is usually sweet and herbaceous. To preserve the taste, the finely chopped petals should be added at the last minute. Because the taste can quickly become overpowering, it is best to use the petals sparingly. The French marigold flowers from June till October. Remove dead flowers regularly. Bees, butterflies and other beneficial insects love French marigolds. Non hardy annual. Height:: 20 - 25 cm.
Indoor sowing: March-April
Outdoor sowing: end of May-August
Germination: 5-8 days
Germination temp.: 15-20 °C
Sowing depth: 1-1½ cm
Sow distance in rows: 30 cm
Plant distance: 30-40 cm
Plant position: sunny and well drained
Flowering period: June - October
Sow indoors from the end of March in a very warm room or in a propagator. The bottom temperature must be approx. 15 °C. You need to ensure a constant temperature, to help the germination. Don't let the temperatures drop during the night. Use a tray with moist potting soil and cover the seeds with a layer of about 1 - 1½ cm of soil. Keep moist during the germination. Cover the trays with a lid or some Clingfilm.
Remove the lid or clingfilm when the seedlings emerge. Transplant the seedlings, when they're large enough to handle in seperate pots with moist potting compost. Harden the seedlings of by putting them outdoors during the day for approx. 14 days, at the beginning of may. Plant them after 14 days on their permanent spot. They need a very sunny spot with some protection against slugs and snails. Keep them about 30 - 40 cm apart. Keep moist and weedfree.
Sow outdoors, from the end of May,when there is no longer any danger of night frosts. Sow outside in a fully prepared seedbed on a sunny plot with free draining soil. Sow thinly in rows about 30 cm apart. Cover the seeds with a layer of soil of approx. 1-1½ cm. Press gently but firmly and keep moist and weedfree. Thin the seedlings, when they're large enough to handle, to approx. 30 - 40 cm apart. Protect them from slugs and snails. Give Your French marigold a very sunny plot. Sow some French marigold in seperate pots to fill up any holes in your garden.