Marigold African Vanilla (Tagetes erecta)
A Colour Essentials selection!

Fully double heads have tight centres that shed water and avoid turning brown longer. Each double, creamy white bloom is 2.5 to 3 in./6 to 7 cm across and sits atop darker green foliage. Plants flower to match Marvel series timing – grow both to offer a full colour range and send all to market in just 11 weeks. Well-suited to 4.5-in./ 11-cm programs for use in beds/borders and large mixed containers. Supplied as de-tailed seed and coated seed.
Key Tips : Maintain soil pH of 6.2-6.5 to avoid iron toxicity

GROWER FACTS
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
Plug Tray Size:Can be best produced in a 288, 200 or a similar cell size plug tray.

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. (10,600 to 26,500 Lux)
Seedling maturity: Up to 3,000 f.c. (31,800 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
Stages 2 & 3: 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. Maintain pH in the range of 6.0 to 6.5.
Growth Regulators:PGRs are not required.
Growing On to Finish

Container Size:Can be produced in 4.5-in. (11-cm) or similar size containers.

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 75°F (18 to 24°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 with 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:PGRs are not required.

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