Grower Facts Marigold French 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.
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.

Insects: Aphids, mites, whitefly
Diseases: Damping off in the seedling stage