For the old fashioned marigold plants that had such a stink to them but boy, did they keep away the bad bugs. They have bred out all the smell and all thats left is another pretty flower but without the bonus it once had. Does anyone have any seeds from this old timer?
Looking for seeds
What did they look like?
I always smell marigolds before buying them, and have yet to find any with that 'gawd aweful' smell. Some have a bit of it, but not like I remember.
I use to plant them in and around my tomatos and never had an insect problem.
Good luck finding them....let us know where if you do :-)
Perhaps the Tagetes tenuifolia would offer the funkiness you want. They are the type with lacy leaves and a pungent scent: http://plantsdatabase.com/go/1624/index.html
I have seeds for African Marigolds, Tagetes erecta, which I purchased from Seeds of Change. http://www.seedsofchange.com/garden_center/product_details.asp?UID=&item_no=PS15491 I accidentally ordered the 1/4 ounce bag instead of the seed pack. I love them; but, have enough to plant a small field. Be glad to send you some. Drop me an email with your address. They are definitely stinky!
I get those old ones from them reseeding themselves all the time, and have never saved the seed because of it. Wish I had some now to share - just waiting for them to pop up like weeds now. They come up like wild in the area I plant my tomatoes, and I just thin them out, take some to put in other spots or pots, and had never thought anyone else would want them. They do help chase off bugs, and you really have to wash your hands after handling them. Mine look similar to this pic on the database, from poppysue, just seems mine were a little fluffier - but same exact colors. I'll have to find out the true name for mine and save them this year - because they do help keep the aphids away.
http://plantsdatabase.com/showpicture/1465/
Earthling, I have these and I believe they have the smell you are looking for. I have a bunch of seeds if you'd like some. Let me know...
Another...
Thank you, everyone for your kind offers. I am plagued with aphids this year and when I went to find those marigolds, all I could find were the big flowers and no smell...I sent my address to those who have seeds to share, please send me your address, too, so I can send you postage. Thanks again..
Kris
groovy - those are the ones! And they really do help with the aphid problem! They reseed themselves in my tomato area every year - LOVE IT! :) (you just have to know what to look for, so you don't pull them like a weed).
You know, I thought the Preying Mantis' were taking care of my aphid problem.... Hmmmm.... LOL
If they take care of aphids, I sure need some!! LOL
They sure are BIG ugly green bugs though! YIKES!
They are cool though, have you ever watched them catch a bug? I saw one catch a bumble bee last year and he ate it from the head down. The whole thing, it was awesome! I know, I'm sick, LOL...
The pic is just for you Karrie, LOL, sorry, couldn't resist...
Before I stopped trying to winter over plants in my greenhouse, I used to have a problem with aphids on my flats of spring seedlings. I tried ladybugs, but, since the door of the greenhouse is often open, most flew away. The do not survive long in our breezy, chilly Alaskan climate. However, while they were here, I used to envision them plopping those little round, green aphids in their mouths like ripe melons! LOL!
Groovy - I can gross you out way worse! lol! When I was a kid, I picked strawberries for Klickers down in Walla Walla. They'd load up all of us kids on the bus and take us up to the fields they had in the Blue Mountains (fun experience). At lunch time, one day, on the bus (or was it on the way home?) We all pitched in a dollar to give to this kid to eat a preying manthis "alive". He stuck it on his tongue and wiggled it around first, just to thoroughly gross everyone out. Needless to say, that kid went home with about an extra $100.00 in his pocket. Ewwwwwwwwwwwwwww!!!!!!!!!!
Karrie LOL! Gross!!!