Light Requirements When Germinating Marigold Seeds

Light

• Marigold seeds do not need any light to germinate. The seeds are grown in peat pots or flats in an area with bright light or in a room with very little light, but never in direct sunlight. Placing the germinating seeds in bright direct sunlight will dry out the medium quickly, which can disrupt the germination of the seed. After the seedlings have two true leaves, the plant will need bright filtered sunlight.

Medium

• The medium used to germinate marigold seeds is vermiculite. The pH of the medium must be between 6.0 and 6.2. If you want to make your own medium, you can use equal parts of perlite, sphagnum and very fine pine bark. Any medium that is sterile and fine so the seedling doesn’t have a hard time growing upwards and out of the medium will work. The seed is planted 1/4 inch deep in the medium.

Moisture

• Keep the medium moist so the seed doesn’t dry out. If the soil becomes dry, germination will stop. Use a misting bottle to mist the soil or use a watering can, but don’t add too much water at one time or the seed may pop out of the medium.

Temperatures

• Temperatures in the room where the seed is germinating must be about 75 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. When you see a sprout or the radicle, lower the room temperature to 68 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Lower the room temperature to between 60 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit when the cotyledon starts to unfold.