Marigold farming in India

In hindu religion there are so many rituals and cultural practices used to be done by flowers as it holds a special significance because they symbolize devotion, purity, and spiritual connection and are often used to honor deities and symbolize the surrender of one's ego during worship. 

During festivals like Diwali, Navratri, and Durga Puja, flowers are used extensively for decorating altars, homes, and temples and garlands of flowers like jasmine, marigold, and roses are offered to deities and used to adorn idols and altars.

Marigold is considered one of the popular and important flowers among others for rituals in hindu dharma as per hindu beliefs Marigold is served during worship is known as the powerful medium to express devotion, seek blessings, and connect with the divine. Lets understand deeply about marigold flowers: 

What is marigold flowers

Marigolds, affectionately known as Genda Phool in Hindi, are a vibrant and integral part of Indian culture and are also known as composite flowers, typically ranging from yellow to orange, with some varieties displaying red or mahogany hues.

Marigolds are native to Central and South America but were introduced to India by European traders in the 16th century and from that onwards it has become an integral part of Indian culture and celebrations.

This flower consists of tiny florets surrounded by layers of delicate, ruffled petals and  pom-pom, anemone, or daisy-like forms also colors range from yellow, orange, red, to mahogany, with some varieties displaying striped or bicolor petals. 

In India, marigolds can be cultivated throughout the year, divided into three main seasons: rainy, winter, and summer. Here is an overview for marigold growing seasons: 

1. Rainy season: Seeds are sown in the mid of june and transplanting are done in the mid of july and flowers are flowering in late September to November.
2. Winter season: Seeds are mainly sown in mid of september and transplanting is done in the mid of october and flowers are flowering in mid of january.
3. Summer season: Seeds mainly grow in the month of January to February and the transplanting is done in between February to March and flowers are flowering in mid-May to July. 

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Marigoldis mostly cultivated  several Indian states, with the top producers being, here are some of them. 

1. Madhya pradesh: It is the largest producer of marigolds in India, contributing significantly to the country's overall marigold production.
2. Tamil Nadu: Ranks as the second-largest producer, with major cultivation areas in Dindigul, Krishnagiri.
3. Karnataka: Known for its extensive marigold cultivation, particularly in districts like Davangere, Dharwad.
4. Gujarat: It is a significant producer, with the Panchmahal district being a prominent region for marigold farming.
5. Maharashtra: Also a major cultivator of marigolds, contributing to the country's overall production.

Different types of marigold in India

There are several varieties of marigold grown across the world, here are some of them.

1. Alumia Vanilla Cream: This marigold is considered as the one of the unique varieties of  French marigold known for its striking primrose-yellow flowers with a creamy hue.  The plant produces early spring blooms that can be two and one-half inches wide. The blooms last five to seven days on strong, branching stems. It requires neutral soil with a slight moisture in it.  These marigolds are half-hardy annuals, meaning they can tolerate light frosts but may not survive harsh winters. 
2. Antigua Orange: Antigua Orange Marigold is a popular variety of marigold known for its vibrant, bright orange flowers and compact growth habit. It has proficient bloomers that makes it quite a show in the garden. These have large, 3-inch bright orange double flowers that bloom profusely throughout the summer into fall. Also these marigolds require full sun and well-drained soil to thrive.
3. Crackerjack: It is a popular variety of African marigold Tagetes erecta which is also  known for its large, vibrant flowers and robust growth. This is famous for its unique characteristic of producing  large, fully double flowers in shades of yellow, orange, and sometimes white, with blooms reaching 2 to 4 inches in diameter. They have a mounding habit with sturdy stems, making them suitable for beds, borders, and large container plantings. 
4. Diamond Jubilee Orange: Diamond Jubilee Orange is one of the Jubilee African marigold series. The plants grow their average mature size to 24 inches tall and produce deep orange, dense, double flowers that can be up to four inches wide. A strong, heat-resistant bloomer, it produces a show in the garden. 

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Step by step guidance for the cultivation of marigold plant 

Marigold plant require proper climate, land, water and maintenance for  producing blooming flowers, here is an overview for growing marigold: 

1. Climate and soil requirement: Marigold best thrives in optimum temperature that range for its growth is 18 – 20˚C. Higher temperatures (> 35 ˚C) can restrict plant growth leading to a reduction in flower size and number. Plants and flowers may get damaged due to severe frost during winter. Marigold can be grown in a wide range of soil, that is  well-drained loamy soil with a soil pH of 7 – 7.5.
2. Nursery preparation: Prepare nursery beds of convenient length, 75 cm width, and 10 – 20 cm height. Apply a sufficient quantity of well-rotten FYM and mix them properly with the soil. Sow the seeds in rows 5 cm apart, and importantly treat the seeds by mixing 10 ml of Azospirillum in a cold jaggery solution and evenly coat it on the seed surface. 
3. Main Field Preparation: Plough the field to a fine tilth and incorporate 10-20 tonnes of FYM per hectare, Also apply a basal dose of fertilizers (e.g., 125 kg N, 100 kg P2O5, and 100 kg K2O per ha). Provide pre-plant irrigation to moisten the soil. Transplant the seedlings in the main field on one side of the ridge at 45 cm between the row and 45 cm within the row for the African Marigold type and 30 cm between the row and 30 cm within the row in the case of French Marigold. 
4. Irrigation: Irrigation should be done immediately after transplanting. Avoid water shortage during vegetative growth as it may hamper plant growth and consequently flowering. The frequency of irrigation mainly depends on soil type and season. In the winter season, irrigation can be given at 8 – 10 days intervals while in the summer season, irrigation can be given at 4-5 days intervals. Water logging conditions should be avoided. 
5. Harvesting: Marigold flowers are ready for harvest when they have attained their full size, which is typically about 2.5 months after the day of transplanting. After the first harvest, the plant continues to bear flowers for another 2 – 2.5 months. Flowers are to be plucked once in 3 days to improve the yield. Harvesting should be done in the cooler part of the day