Hello, forum. As mentioned in the title, this is my first batch of African marigolds
and borage I was just wondering if anyone may have some advice or critiques?
They've been growing well aside from the odd one occasionally flopping over
due to the wind. Also, the borage was hit pretty hard one day by the sunlight, so
I moved them down to a more shaded area. Are borage supposed to flop a bit?
Any input is greatly appreciated!
~ Zhan
The borage looks fine to me (yes, its a floppy plant), and your marigolds are looking good. They like lots of sunlight and not a lot of water. The borage can take full sun to partial shade. The leaves taste a bit like cucumber. Are you going to eat them?
Hello, Cville. I always appreciate your advice; I will give the marigolds a little more sun
and a little less water then. Thank you for your input. Sometimes, when I arrive home
from work (the climate here is tropical) the borage is a little "wilted" in appearance,
but shortly after supplying shade and water, they perk back up again.
- Sincerely, Zhan
Oh, and I intend to make tea with the flowers.
I have tasted the leaves and they are quite nice. :)
Great. I agree about the taste ... and the flowers are lovely too.
For some reason, the plants all look too tall and thin, one reason for flopping over by wind,
The Tall thin stems normally come about when the seedlings have just germinated, there is NOT enough light, (not direct sunlight) just good light close by but NOT sitting in window directly cooking in the sun.
Also, the plants are putting on much top growth meaning they are not able to ALSO make good root spread so they will require more watering. IF the plants are sitting in the sun without any shelter / Shade, they do dehydrate fast same as we do if the heat of the sun sits on us for any length of time.
Until it is time to plant the seedlings out-doors, you need to keep nipping off any tiny flower buds you find forming, to do this, you nip the bud between finger and thumb as the tissue is very soft and tender and should be touched as little as possible till the stems / leaves and everything hardens a bit and the plants are able to support themselves due to hardening up more.
Your doing a great job, just don't try rush the plants on too quick, nature cant always be hurried along, keep a look out for sap sucking insects as they love new tender greenery. treat with a mist or spray with dish washing liquid soap diluted with tepid water, it is normally chemical free.
Best Regards.
WeeNel.
Thank you, WeeNel. :) I will put all of your advice into action.
SO, next time, to have a healthier batch of marigolds, I ought
to grow them indoors for a while until the seedling have
developed a bit? I actually planted these directly in my pots.
Best regards!
If you grow them indoors Zhan, make sure they don't sit directly beside a cooling system as the constant cold blowing air will be too cold for baby seedlings, also give good light but not baking beside a glass window where baking sun will wilt the little plants,
What I do IF I grow seeds inside is, as soon as the seeds germinate, put the try / pot of seedlings outside in a light but sheltered position, bring back in at dusk, at this point see IF water is required (stick index finger into pot and if dry, (water from bottom of pot by standing it in a tray / kitchen sink with some water half way up pot), after about half hour, the soil should have turned a darker colour, indicating soil is wet enough, drain excess water and place the try / pot back onto the same area indoors as before, repeat this care until the seedlings are large enough to handle (Handle by the leaf NOT stem), either prick the seedlings out and place 2-3 of them into small pot and care for as before till your happy they are large enough to stay outside with watering care and feeding, OR place the seedlings out into bed / border and care even more often till they are growing well, space them a few inches apart till they get REPLANTED into final growing position or basket / pot/ tray.
The mature leaf can be eaten in salads, (Quite nippy flavour) as can the Flower PETALS, so can Pansy petals BUT not the leaf or foliage. Lavender can be used as MOTH distraction IF hung in wardrobe or in drawers, make a little cotton bag to fill with the flowers, the flowers can be used in cake / pastry and on roasts for flavours also a bag placed under pillow helps sleeping.
Hope you have managed to get hold of the info you have been looking for, if not it will all come and develop as you do with growing things.
Best Regards, WeeNel.
