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If you notice that marigolds no longer look as magnificent as they did a few weeks ago, don’t worry. It’s still possible to revive their bloom – and it’s very easy, writes Southern Living.
What to do to make marigolds bloom again?
Remove withered flowers
This task isn’t strictly mandatory for marigolds, but it will certainly give the flowerbed a tidier appearance – and it also encourages the plant to produce more blooms. As soon as the flowers fade, they should be plucked.
Otherwise, seeds begin to form in place of the bud, and this consumes a significant portion of the plant’s energy. If there are no seeds, the flower will continue to bloom again and again.
Trim long stems
Marigold flowering naturally diminishes when intense heat sets in – and at such times, pruning can help. If you notice the plant stretching upwards, you can confidently trim the stems by a third at an angle.
Make the cut slightly above a leaf node to encourage lateral branching.
Long marigolds can be pruned in summer / Photo Pexels
Check soil moisture
In summer, marigolds require regular watering – because in hot weather, the soil dries out much faster. Marigolds often compete for water, especially if planted next to other plants in the garden – so make sure they have enough moisture and space.
Give them more light
Marigolds need full sun, and they are not afraid of heat. But when surrounding plants start to grow actively, marigolds might not get enough sun. Therefore, nearby crops can also be trimmed slightly to rectify this issue.
Do not over-fertilize
Marigolds are low-maintenance plants, and they don’t need a lot of fertilizer to produce flowers. However, an excess of it can stimulate them to produce leaves rather than blooms.