Maraja Orange F1

Description

An ornamental herbaceous plant with a globular, well-bushy habit, whose ornamental value lies in its thriving and prolonged flowering, which brings colour and vibrancy to gardens, balconies and terraces throughout the spring and summer until early or mid-autumn, depending on the variety, with a profusion of inflorescences that are also highly attractive to insects beneficial for pollination and the preservation of biodiversity. Easy to grow, it adapts well to hot summer climates and is suitable both for uniform compositions and in combination with other ornamental plants, even those of different heights and plant habits, creating scenic landscape perspectives.

Variety description

Maraja is a series of large-flowered Tagetes erecta varieties with strong, vigorous plants and a globular, rounded plant habit, thanks in part to excellent branching. Quick and easy to grow in a greenhouse, it is ready in 5–6 weeks in spring. It reaches a final height of 40–45 cm.

Division

Angiospermae

Class

Dicotyledons

Family

Asteraceae or Compositae

Order

Asterales

Genus

Tagetes

Species

erecta

Origin and distribution

A botanical species native to Central America and Guatemala; like the species Tagetes patula, it was introduced to Europe in the 16th century for ornamental purposes. Of particular interest are the new varieties and the interspecific hybrid Tagetes patula × erecta.

Curiosities and special features

Lutein, a carotenoid used as a food additive and dietary supplement, isextracted from the flowers of Tagetes erecta.

Some varieties are also grown for the production of cut flowers.

Lifespan

Annual herbaceous plant.

Where to plant

Versatile, it is ideal for adding colour and vibrancy to flowerbeds, balconies, borders and outdoor planters.

Plant height

The plant height ranges from 0.41 to 0.46 m, making it ideal for creating uniform single clumps as well as for mixed compositions with other ornamental herbaceous plants of varying growth habits, resulting in highly decorative displays.

Inflorescence

Inflorescence head, typical of Species belonging to the botanical Family Asteraceae, borne at the apex of the peduncles.

Flower size

The individual flower islarge in size when compared with those of other varieties, lending elegance to the Inflorescence in which it is found.

Flowering period

The prolonged and abundant flowering period lasts from mid-spring to early autumn, spanning between 170 and 200 days, ensuring a continuous display of decorative and eye-catching inflorescences that will serve as a focal point for a long time.

Leaf

The leaf has animparipinnate lamina.

Leaf colour

A solid colour, in perfect chromatic harmony with the shade of the inflorescences.

Stem

The stems, which are hairless and sturdy, are herbaceous; the plant has no thorns.

Growth

A variety with a rounded growth habit, ideal for achieving well-proportioned results.

Habit

It develops an erect habit, visually emphasised by the inflorescences at the tips of the stems.

Branching

It developsabundant branching, taking on additional ornamental value.

Use

Owing to its well-developed plant habit, vigorous growth and uniform flowering with consistently vibrant colours, it is a widely appreciated herbaceous species in:

Outdoor landscape design Landscaping

Ideal climate and temperature

The ideal temperature is between 17 and 21 °C. The survival temperature range is between 1 and 40 °C. It adapts well to hot summer climates.

Soil

The ideal soil/medium for a flowerbed is medium textured, amended and well-drained; for use in pots and planters, we recommend a specific, professional-grade growing medium based on peat and perlite.

Sun exposure

Suitable for exposure in half shade, full sun, afternoon sun.

Difficulty

The fact that it is extremely easy to grow and requiresvery little maintenance adds further value to this variety.

Hardiness

A variety characterised byhigh hardiness.

Growing tips

Below are specific aspects and growing conditions to ensure better vegetative growth and abundant flowering:

Keep the growing medium dry at low temperatures It prefers a hot, dry climate

Soil preparation

For planting in mid- to late spring, lightly perform some digging, removing any weeds, residues from previous crops and large stones; it is also advisable to work in some slow-release organic or chemical fertiliser. To ensure better drainage of excess water, thereby preventing harmful waterlogging, create a slight mound to form a raised bed where the plants will be planted, and carefully level the surface.

Read more on the Joyflo blog

pH

The ideal pH of the Soil/medium for Tagetes erecta is slightly acidic, with optimum values between 5.5 and 6.5. If the pH drops below 5.5 during cultivation, excesses of iron and manganese are possible, which manifest themselves as internerval spot chlorosis.

Combinations with other plants

Ideal for compact, colourful ornamental compositions, and can also be combined with flowers of varying heights to create a sense of depth; colour combinations may feature shades of the same hue or an alternation of colours chosen from the various available varieties, creating patterns or designs according to personal preference. Patches of colour or simple borders can be created using other herbaceous species such as Begonia semperflorens, Lobularia x hybrida, Salvia farinacea and Zinnia marylandica.

Planting

When planting in a flowerbed, a medium density of 18 plants per square metre is recommended to allow each plant to develop properly, thereby achieving a well-proportioned composition and a visually compact and uniform final effect. We recommend positioning each seedling with the crown just above the soil/medium surface, burying the root ball completely and taking care not to damage the roots; water immediately after planting, preferably in the morning.

Watering

Use rainwater, or alternatively tap water or water from an irrigation channel, either by hand watering or using an irrigation system. Water immediately after transplanting, allowing the compost to settle around the root ball. Thereafter, allow the soil/medium to dry out slightly between irrigations. Water the seedlings in the morning and avoid wetting the foliage in the afternoon or evening to prevent the spread of plant diseases.

Read more on the Joyflo blog

Fertilising

During the spring– summer, once the plant has settled in properly after transplanting, regularly apply a balanced fertiliser suitable for ornamental plants to the soil/medium at the base of the plant. This should be applied in liquid form – that is, diluted in the Irrigation water – without exceeding the recommended frequency or dosage.

Read more on the Joyflo blog

Edibility for humans

Non-edible.

Tip

Maraja marigold plants reach a mature height of 40–45 cm and a width of 25–30 cm. Plants in a flowerbed should therefore be spaced 18–22 cm apart. At 22 cm for earlier transplants, bearing in mind that you will need to thin them out once or twice before the foliage ‘closes in’. Space them 18 cm apart for late transplants, particularly when the weather is already very hot at the time of transplanting. Flowering is profuse and continuous throughout the 6-month spring-summer period and until mid-autumn.