GrowerFacts
French Marigold Durango™ (Tagetes patula)
Germination
Use a well-drained, disease-free, soilless medium with a pH of 6.2 to 6.5 and a medium initial nutrient charge (EC) of 0.75 mmhos/cm (1:2 extraction). Cover the seed with coarse vermiculite. Allow 3 to 4 days for germination.
Plug Production
Durango marigold plugs are best produced in 200-cell plug trays.
Media
Use a well-drained, disease-free, soilless medium with a pH of 6.2 to 6.5 and a medium initial nutrient charge (EC) of 0.75 mmhos/cm (1:2 extraction).
Sowing
Cover the seed with coarse vermiculite. Allow 3 to 4 days for germination.
Temperature
Germination: 70 to 72°F (21 to 22°C) Cotyledon stage: 65 to 72°F (18 to 22°C) True leaves: 65 to 70°F (18 to 21°C)
Hold plugs: 65 to 68°F (18 to 20°C)
Light
Stage 1: Light is not required for germination
After germination: 1,000 to 2,500 f.c. (10,000 to
25,000 Lux)
Seedling maturity: Up to 3,000 f.c. (30,000 Lux)
Humidity
Maintain 95% relative humidity (RH) until cotyledons emerge.
Soil Moisture
Keep soil moisture high until radicle emergence, then reduce moisture levels after the radicle penetrates the medium. Do not allow seedlings to wilt.
Fertilizer
Stage 2: Apply 50 to 75 ppm N, maintaining an EC of 1.0.
Stage 4: Apply 100 to 150 ppm N, maintaining an EC of 1.0 to 1.5.
Growth Regulators
Not required.
Growing On to Finish
Container Size
Durango marigolds are well-suited to cell-packs and 6- in. (15-cm) pots.
Media
Use a well-drained, disease-free, soilless medium with a pH of 6.2 to 6.5 and a medium initial nutrient charge.
Temperature
Nights: 60 to 62°F (15 to 17°C) Days: 65 to 68°F (18 to 20°C) Light
Keep light levels from moderate to high.
Irrigation
Maintain even moisture. Do not allow plants to wilt.
Fertilizer
Feed plants weekly with 150 to 200 ppm N in a complete fertilizer. Maintain the media EC at 1.5 to 2.0 mmhos/cm and pH at 6.2 to 6.8.
Growth Regulators
To tone the plants for best appearance, we recommend applying B-Nine at 2,500 ppm, 1 week after transplant for cell packs or 2 weeks after transplant for 6-in. (15-cm) pots.
Common Problems
Insects: Aphids, mites, whitefly
Diseases: Damping off in the seedling stage
“Information copied from the breeder.
Muller will not accept any liability for failure and/or damage as a consequence of incorrect and/or inexpert cultivation by or on behalf of the Buyer.”