Marigold Farming in India – Tips and Tricks

Let me start by sharing some amazing facts about this flower! Did you know that Marigold is a perennial evergreen plant that belongs to the Asteraceae family? It is also known as Genda or Chandu in India.

Marigold is a versatile, beautiful, and eco-friendly flower. It is widely used for religious and social occasions and festivals. Marigold is also the easiest flower to grow and has a short cropping period and low investment. Marigold is the fastest-growing flower in the world! Before you begin your cultivation, make sure you have a trolley for your tractor, whether it is a Mahindra tractor 475.

Why Marigolds?

Marigold is a part of our culture and is widely used for religious and social functions. It is also a trap crop that attracts pests and protects other crops. It is a low-cost and short-duration crop that requires minimal care. Marigold is the fastest-growing flower in the world!

Marigold can grow in different types of soil and climate conditions. Size and colours that these flower come in divide them into two different varieties: African Marigold and French Marigold. African Marigold has tall plants and large flowers, while French Marigold has dwarf plants and small flowers. There are also many hybrid varieties of Marigold with different colors and shapes. The demand for Marigold flowers is high during Dashera, Diwali, and Ugadi festivals. Therefore, Marigold cultivation is a profitable venture for farmers.

Climate Conditions for Marigold Cultivation

Marigold grows well in hot and dry as well as humid weather conditions. It grows best throughout the year under both tropical and subtropical conditions but requires mild climatic conditions for best growth and flowering. The ideal temperature for optimal growth is 15°C – 29°C. Very hot climate may impact the flowering growth.

Soil Requirement for Marigold Cultivation

You can cultivate Marigold on a wide range of soil except acidic and saline soil. The marigold plantation also requires well-drained sandy soil to clay soil with a pH range of 4.5 to 6.0.

Regarding India, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Gujarat, AP, Tamil Nadu and MP are major marigold cultivators in India. Indian farmers are good when incorporating technology. However, Mahindra Jivo 245 leads the market in performing pre-farming activities.

Propagation

Normally, Marigold is propagated by the seeds or cuttings. However, they can also be propagated through tissue culture in some cases. Marigold seedlings are raised on nursery beds and can grow on poly pots for a few weeks. Later the seedling is transplanted into the farm.

Moreover, the cutting planting method requires a little care. Here, stems of 10-15 cm length with 3-4 nodes are cut from healthy plants and planted during monsoon.

Some Points To Remember:

• Marigolds can be grown throughout the year. Best time to grow marigolds would be during mild climate for optimal growth and flowering. The best time to sow the seeds is six to eight weeks before the last frost or after the soil can be worked. The seeds should be sown in well-prepared nursery beds and transplanted to the main field when they are four to six weeks old.
• The spacing between the plants depends on the type and variety of marigold. Generally, African marigolds require more space than French marigolds. A spacing of 30×30 cm for African marigolds and 15×15 cm for French marigolds is recommended. About 500 to 800 grams of seeds are required per acre.
• The flowering period of marigold varies from three to four months depending on the season and variety. The flowers are ready for harvest when they are fully opened and show bright colors.
• Marigolds can be intercropped with other crops such as vegetables, cereals, pulses, or oilseeds to increase the income and productivity of the land.

Manuring and Fertilization

Fertilizers are important for a high-quality yield of Marigolds. This is because manures and fertilizers are important when the seedling is transplanted. Remember to use fertilizer after harvesting and previous to rinsing the plants. Also, apply green manures, organic compost, wood ash and chemical fertigation.

In addition, leaf-biting and sucking insects such as aphids, caterpillars, slugs, and snails are common in Marigold plants. Hence, use appropriate pesticides to control these pests.

Irrigation

Irrigate your field regularly while the Marigold is still growing on nursery beds. When transplanting seedlings from the nursery to the farm, immediate water should be applied. However, it is important to mention that marigolds are sensitive to water logging. Therefore, you must drain out the soil, especially during heavy rainfall or flooding. In addition, I would recommend you employ drip irrigation for better watering.

Harvesting of Marigold

You can start harvesting your yield from the 5th year onwards. To throttle your income, incorporate technologies like Eicher tractor 557; such machines help you to carry bulk products to the nearby market.

Conclusion

Hence, Marigold is a cash crop with a low gestation period and faster growth and gives recurring economic returns, generation after generation! Marigold flowers are used for many purposes like religious/spiritual, party/functions and most of the festivals. These flowers are available in attractive shapes and colors and sizes. Marigolds are typically grown as a cover crop or planted in rotation with the cash crop to manage nematodes.