Calendula officinalis
Propagation:
- Calendula is easily grown from seed.
- It germinates readily with relatively large seeds that do not need light for germination.
- It can be direct-seeded or transplanted after 4 to 6 weeks.
Growing:
- For a fall crop in Zone 5, sow seeds in early to mid-July.
- Transplants spaced at 9 x 9 in. make good growth with vigorous branching.
- Plants tolerate light frost but should be protected by low tunnels against lower temperatures.
- Aphids and powdery mildew are two common pests of calendula in high tunnels.
Varieties:
- Member of the Aster family, the flowers have outer ray florets and inner disk florets.
- Ray florets vary in color from yellow to dark orange, and pink.
- Disk florets may be dark orange to almost black.
- Some varieties have fully double flowers with no disk florets apparent.
- Flower are edible, with a light tangy flavor, if harvested in the open stage.
- Most varieties have stems of 12 to 15 in. length, but some extend to 24 in.
Postharvest Handling:
- Calendula flowers last about a week in a vase at room temperature.
- Harvest when flowers are half open.
For more information, see: Armitage, A.M. and J.M. Laushman. 2003. Specialty Cut Flowers, 2nd Edition. Timber Press, 586 pp. Available through ASCFG.