Calendula Officinalis 'Ivory Princess '

Direct sow in early to mid-spring or sow indoors and transplant 25 to 10 to 12" apart. Pinch out when 9" tall. Or sow in Fall.

 

Sowing Direct: 
Sow thinly, 6mm (¼in) deep in drills 30cm (12in) apart in well-cultivated soil which has been raked to a fine tilth. Water ground regularly, especially in dry periods. When large enough to handle, thin out seedlings until they are finally 30cm (12in) apart in spring

 

Sowing Indoors: 
As a Hardy Annual, it can also be sown August to September for an earlier spring flowering next year. Sow either directly as above in mild areas, or, for overwintering sow in pots. Use pots or trays of moist seed compost and cover with a very fine sprinkling of compost or vermiculite. After sowing, do not exclude light as this helps germination. Keep the surface of the compost moist but not waterlogged; 
When transplanting Calendula, try not to damage the taproot.  
When large enough to handle, transplant seedlings into 3"pots or trays. Overwinter plants in cool, light, frost-free conditions before planting out the following spring, or grow on as greenhouse pot plants. 

Cultivation: 
Sowing to flowering takes about 18 weeks, grow in full sun for best blooms. The flowers are perfect for cutting, pinch out the terminal buds to encourage more flowers. Keeping the plants dead-headed makes them practically perennial. 
Lift the plants at the end of the year if you want to prevent self seeding, but when they add so much colour who cares!

DAYS TO GERMINATION:7-14 days at 70°F (21°C)

SOWING:Direct seed (recommended) - After last frost at a depth of 1/4". Make 2-3 successive sowings 2-3 weeks apart for continuous blooms from summer to heavy frost. Transplant - Sow 4-5 weeks before last frost.


 

The flowers can be harvested anytime they are in full bloom. If the stem, leaves and flower are to be dried for an arrangement, snip the stem near ground level. If only the flower is to be dried, snip it off from the stem just below its' base.

Up To 7 Days