| Scientific Name |
Tagetes patula |
| Hybrid |
F1 Ica Gold |
| Soil |
Well-drained soil, and consistent moisture during the blooming phase for optimal growth and flowering.
|
| Pot Preparation |
A good potting mixture is a mix of two parts potting soil, one part compost or vermicompost, and one-part cocopeat or perlite.
This combination provides nutrients, retains moisture, and ensures proper drainage for healthy growth and abundant blooms.
|
| Climate |
The optimum temperature range for its growth is 18–20°C |
| Season |
| Season Type |
Sowing & Harvest Period |
| Summer |
Sowing-Jan-Feb; Transplanting Feb-Mar; Harvesting May-July |
| Rainy |
Sowing June, Transplanting July, Harvesting September |
| Winter |
Sowing September, Transplanting October, Harvesting January |
|
| Fertilizers & Manures |
| NPK |
10:10:10 balanced fertilizer @ 40–50 gms per 5 Kg of soil for a 12 inch pot |
| Any special cases: No |
|
| Irrigation |
Water slowly and deeply until water begins to drain from the bottom of the pot. This encourages deep, healthy root growth.
|
| Any Special Crop Practices |
Pinching: It involves the removal of apical buds which stimulates lateral branching and results in a more bushy and compact plant with more flowers.
It delays flowering but results in the production of more flowers. Pinching is recommended to be done after 20–25 days after transplanting.
|
| Diseases |
| Damping Off |
Most prevalent during the seedling stage. Necrotic rings or spots appear on the young seedlings.
In severe cases, the affected seedlings may collapse and die before they even emerge from the soil.
Controlled by drenching: Metalaxyl 4% + Mancozeb 64% WP (3g/L)
|
| Collar Rot |
Fungus affects the collar region of the plant leading to discoloration of the stem disrupting xylem and phloem resulting in wilting of the plants
Control: Penflufen 13.28% + Trifloxystrobin 13.28% FS @ 0.5 ml/ltr, Pyraclostrobin 3.5% + Thiram 15% + Clothianidin 22.5% FS @ 0.5 ml/ltr
|
| Powdery Mildew |
This disease is favored by high humidity, white powdery residue primarily on the upper leaf surface.
On the lower surface of the leaves circular patches or spots appear. Severely attacked leaves become brown and defoliation.
Control: Carbendazim (1ml/litre of water) or Karathane (0.5 ml/litre of water), Tebuconazole 50 % + Trifloxystrobin 25 % @ 0.5 gm/ltr or Meptyl dinocap @ 0.5 gm/ltr
|
| Leaf Spot & Blight |
Causes dark, circular lesions with concentric rings on leaves.
Control: Carbendizim 12% + Mancozeb 3% WP (2g/L)
|
| Botrytis Blight / Gray Mold |
Flowers may appear water soaked and turn brown or grey as the disease progresses.
Gray fuzzy mold growth appears on flowers and foliage. Stems may rot leading to the collapse of plants.
Spray: Chlorothalonil 75% WP (2g/L), Copper Oxy Chloride 50% WP (2g/L) + Streptomycin 90% + Tetracycline hypochloride 10% (0.5g/L), Kasugamycin 5 % + COC 45 % WP @ 2 gm/ltr
|
|
| Pests |
| Leaf Miners |
The miner scrap the chlorophyll content forming serpentine markings on the leaves.
Control: Cyantraliprole 10.26 % OD @ 1.8 ml/ltr, Chlorantraniliprole 8.8 % + Thiamethoxam 17.5 % @ 0.5 gm/ltr
|
| Thrips |
Cause damage to leaves and fruits, and vector Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus (TSWV).
Use blue sticky traps and spray Fipronil 7% + Hexythiazox 2%SC, Spirotetramat 240g/L.
|
| Aphids & Whiteflies |
Colonies of nymphs and adults attack leaves and tender shoots and suck the sap; leaves curl and dry up.
Control: Acepahte 75 % SP (1.5 g/L), Dimethioate 1.5ml/L, Imidacloprid 30.5 % SC @ 0.25 ml/ltr, Diafenthiuron 50 % WP @ 1 gm/ltr, 30–35 blue sticky traps/Ha
|
| Flower Borer & Leaf Cutter |
Damage the flower petals by feeding on the petals; flowers get damaged and become non-marketable.
Control: Cyclaniliprole 10% DC @ 0.8 ml/ltr, Chlorantraniliprole 4.5 % + Novaluron 11.5% + Emamectin Benzoate 1.5% SE @ 1ml/ltr
|
| Mealy Bug |
White, cotton-like masses on young shoots, stems, and leaves.
The presence of sticky honeydew causes sooty mold development and crinkled leaves, leading to retarded shoot growth.
Spray: Thiomethoxam 25% WG 0.5g/L
|
|
| Harvesting |
Maturity 40–42 days |
| Yield |
50–60 flowers per plant over its life cycle (approximately 4–5 months) |
