'Lemon Drop' (Tagetes patula) - Clear, luminous lemon-yellow double blooms that stay impossibly fresh even during 35 °C afternoons. Sweet citrus-marigold fragrance drifts across balconies in the evening breeze. Stays under 25 cm tall - perfect for shallow trays or railing baskets. Blooms in 45-48 days and continues blooming for 6–8 months — fragrance gets stronger during rainy season, keeps pumping flowers. Super easy to grow flowers, thrives on neglect; ideal for busy parents or first-time growers.
Edible petals taste exactly like lemon sherbet with a peppery kick; stunning crystallised on cakes or infused in gin.
Proven to repel aphids and spider mites — grow in pots around chilli plants for organic pest control.
It's a traditional remedy for reducing anxiety — dried petals in pillows or bath sachets.
Growing:
Sow directly in garden or pots year-round; best during cooler parts of rainy season for easier establishment. Surface-sow (barely cover) in seed-starting mix; seeds need light to germinate.
Germination: 5–7 days at 22–28 °C soil temperature. Spacing: 15–25 cm apart (dwarf varieties).
Light: Full sun (6–8+ hours daily); tolerates light afternoon shade in 35 °C+ heat.
Soil: Well-draining, moderately fertile loam; pH 6.0–7.0. Avoid rich, wet soils — promotes foliage over flowers. Containers: Use 15–20 cm pots with drainage holes; excellent for patios.
Watering: Keep soil evenly moist during establishment (first 2–3 weeks). Once rooted, water 2–3 cm per week in dry spells; reduce in monsoons. Never let soil stay waterlogged — root rot is common in humid tropics.
Fertilizing: Light feeder: Apply balanced liquid fertilizer (10-10-10) at half-strength every 4–6 weeks. Avoid excess nitrogen — causes leggy growth and fewer blooms. In poor soils, mix in compost at planting.
Common issues in tropics: Spider mites & thrips in dry heat — hose off or use neem oil. Fungal leaf spot or powdery mildew in high humidity — improve airflow, avoid overhead watering.
Companion planting: Excellent near tomatoes, eggplants, and peppers.
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