Marigolds (tagetes)

These plants originally from America are familiar to almost every Russian person under the name "marigolds". The scientific name is tagetes. Flowers are so unpretentious that even a novice florist can grow them in his summer cottage. Marigold flowers are not only very beautiful, but also have a lot of useful properties, thanks to which they have found application in various areas of life.

Titles in other languages:

• English Tangerine marigold;
• German studentenblumen;
• fr. Rose d'Inde.

• The stems are straight, form bushes, the size of which depends on the variety of the flower. The height of the bushes ranges from a few centimeters to a meter or more;
• The leaves are oblong, pointed, resemble feathers in shape;
• The flowers are round, in all shades of yellow, red and orange. Types of marigolds with terry petals are common;
• The fruits are small black or brown boxes in which the seeds ripen.

In total, about 60 different types of marigolds are known.

Those described below are the most common of the tagetes:

• Rejected (this species is also called French marigolds) grows wild in Central America, and is planted in Russia as an ornamental plant. This species is one of the tallest, stems grow up to 80 cm in length.Essential oil is produced from this plant, which is used in cooking and cosmetology.
• upright (or African marigolds) also comes from Central America, but is quite common in urban flower beds and household plots around the world. The flowers of this variety are large, bright yellow or orange. Natural food coloring is made from inflorescences. Also, this type of plant is used to clean the soil from heavy metals.
• mexican spicy (or spicy Mexican marigolds). This is one of the tallest species - Tagetes minuta. It grows up to 3m tall and has a lemon scent. The flowers are small and not as fluffy as those of other types of tagetes.
• Spicy (narrow-leaved) - Tagetes tenuifolia (originating from Mexico and Central America) has a fruity tangerine flavor. It grows to a height of no more than 40 cm.

• USA;
• Mexico;
• Argentina;
• Nicaragua;
• Chile;
• etc.

In large quantities, marigolds grow in the countries of North and South America. The rest of the world saw this plant several centuries ago, when it began to be actively removed from its natural habitat. Marigolds quickly spread throughout Europe, Asia, the Far East and other parts of the world, as they feel comfortable in any climatic conditions.

In the homeland of marigolds, the leaves of this plant are used for food - instead of the parsley and dill we are used to. In Russian cuisine, this custom did not take root, but marigold flowers were widely used - they began to be added to a variety of dishes.

Until the flowers have withered, you need to collect them, dry them in a dry, well-ventilated area and grind.A spice made from marigolds is called "Imereti saffron". Keep this spice in a closed container, in a dark place.

If we talk about marigolds as a spice, then you will find it on our shelves under the name "Imeretinsky saffron".

Since real saffron is a very expensive spice, it is often replaced with dry marigold petals. They give dishes and drinks a yellow color, but do not have the healing properties of saffron.

Dry petals of tagetes for therapeutic use can be purchased at pharmacies.

You can find marigold seeds in spring at any seed store. In addition, you can independently collect seeds from flowers after flowering.

• floral scent with fruity notes;
• spicy, piquant flavor;
• bright yellow or orange.

Nutritional value 100 gr. dry petals

Chemical composition of dried marigold petals

• strengthen immunity;
• is a good antifungal agent;
• has a disinfecting effect;
• relieves inflammation;
• soothes and relaxes;
• relieves pain;
• has an anthelmintic effect;
• reduces swelling;
• used in agriculture as an insecticide and herbicide.

Marigold is a useful plant that is not capable of harming the human body.

However, there are two categories of people who are strongly advised to refrain from treating marigolds or eating them as a condiment. It:

• pregnant and lactating women;
• people with individual intolerance to substances that make up spices or medicines based on marigolds.

Essential oil extracted from marigold flowers has a unique aroma, with hints of oriental spices and citruses. This oil is loved by perfumers all over the world, so it is included in many famous perfumes.

In addition to a pleasant smell, it has a number of useful properties. The emollient and antibacterial effect of marigold essential oil is well known, so it is used to treat corns, growths and skin infections of various origins.

• spice is added to poultry, meat and fish dishes to give them a golden color;
• in crushed form, they will not only make pastry more fragrant, but also help it brown;
• to make the color and aroma of borscht richer, you can add a few fresh marigold petals to the pan;
• fresh marigolds can also be chopped into a vegetable salad;
• dried and crushed marigolds are traditionally added to pickles and marinades;
• in the homeland of Tagetes, a warming and refreshing drink is brewed on the basis of this flower.

Collect a kilogram of flower heads and prepare the marinade. For the marinade, you will need 2 tbsp.coarse salt, a few black peppercorns and half a liter of 3% vinegar. Arrange the flowers in jars, fill with marinade and cork.

You can also make delicious cookies with the addition of tegetes.

Required ingredients: 2 tbsp. dry or fresh marigold petals, 4 eggs, half a glass of sugar, half a glass of flour, 4 tbsp. butter.

Separate the whites from the yolks, beat the whites into a thick foam. Grind the butter on a fine grater, add the yolks, sugar and flowers. Add flour, then egg whites. Mix well.

Put the dough in a greased form and bake in the oven until golden brown.

When the cake has cooled, cut it into small pieces.

In folk medicine, marigold-based medicines are recommended to be used to eliminate the following health problems:

• diseases of the biliary tract;
• dysfunction of the liver and kidneys;
• diseases of the genitourinary system;
• slow metabolism;
• increased blood sugar;
• diseases of the pancreas;
• skin lesions;
• blurred vision;
• hair loss;
• acute respiratory diseases.

• With the help of a sachet of marigold flowers, you can fight the moth that has settled in the wardrobe;
• If mosquitoes interfere with outdoor recreation, pick a few flowers of marigolds and throw them into the fire - the smoke will scare away insects;
• Farmers feed poultry with marigolds so that the yolk of the eggs turns bright yellow.

Marigolds reproduce using seeds.

Prepare a seedling container and fill it with loose soil. Make grooves in the soil and place flower seeds in them.Sprinkle the seeds with a thin layer of soil and moisten it a little. Cover the container with a plastic lid or plastic bag. Make sure that the ground always remains moist, and the air temperature is between 15-20 degrees.

When the seedlings sprout, the lid can be removed. Use seedling fertilizer twice a month. Water the seedlings only after the soil is dry. When the first leaves appear, the seedlings can be dived (seated in separate containers), while deepening them into the ground by about 1 cm.

After the seedlings grow up, you can plant them in the ground, but before that, make sure that the frosts have passed and no new ones are expected. Marigolds love loose soil, so the soil must be prepared before planting. Seedlings are planted in holes at a distance of about 25 cm from each other, the stem is deepened a couple of centimeters, sprinkled with earth and watered.

Tagetes does not require special care. It must be watered as the soil dries, weeded from weeds and fed with special fertilizers 1-2 times a month.

Varieties of tagetes rejected:

• "Carmen";
• "Bonanza bolero";
• "Queen Sofia";
• "Legion of Honor";
• "Orangeflame".

FROMorta tagetes erectus:

• "Antigua";
• "Gold dollar";
• "Sweet cream".

• This plant received its scientific name in honor of the Etruscan god Tages, the grandson of Jupiter;
• In the language of flowers, marigolds symbolize the lion, or rather its qualities - power, strength and courage.
• In Ukraine, marigolds are called "Chernobrivtsy", and in the UK - "marigold" - in memory of the Virgin Mary