Sparky mix is a French marigold variety with beautiful colours and an interesting shape. Sparky provides a prolific amount of flowers for the whole seasong. The colours are a vivid moxture of lively yellow and orange. The leaves are different than the leaves of other varieties as they're broad and wavy. Sparky can be used in the front of a border. It's extra spectacular when they're planted in large amounts. This provides a blanket of colours. Grow some plants in pots to add colour to a border when needed. Non hardy annual. Height: 20 - 30 cm.
Indoor sowing: March-April
Outdoor sowing: end of May-August
Germination: 5-8 days
Germination temp.: 15-20 °C
Sowing depth: 1-1½ cm
Sow distance in rows: 30 cm
Plant distance: 30-40 cm
Plant position: sunny and well drained
Flowering period: May - October
Sow indoors from the end of March in a very warm room or in a propagator. The bottom temperature must be approx. 15 °C. You need to ensure a constant temperature, to help the germination. Don't let the temperatures drop during the night. Use a tray with moist potting soil and cover the seeds with a layer of about 1-1½ cm of soil. Keep moist during the germination. Cover the trays with a lid or some Clingfilm.
Remove the lid or clingfilm when the seedlings emerge. Transplant the seedlings, when they're large enough to handle in seperate pots with moist potting compost. Harden the seedlings of by putting them outdoors during the day for approx. 14 days, at the beginning of may. Plant them after 14 days on their permanent spot. They need a very sunny spot with some protection against slugs and snails. Keep them about 30-40 cm apart. Keep moist and weedfree.
Sow outdoors, from the end of May,when there is no longer any danger of night frosts. Sow outside in a fully prepared seedbed on a sunny plot with free draining soil. Sow thinly in rows about 30 cm apart. Cover the seeds with a layer of soil of approx. 1-1½ cm. Press gently but firmly and keep moist and weedfree. Thin the seedlings, when they're large enough to handle, to approx. 30-40 cm apart. Protect them from slugs and snails. Give Your French marigold a very sunny plot. Sow some French marigold in seperate pots to fill up any holes in your garden.
