Tagetes filifolia
| Tagetes filifolia | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 9 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 1' |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Tagetes filifolia (common name: irish lace)
Propagation: Seed - sow March in a greenhouse. Only just cover the seed. Germination usually takes place within 2 weeks. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out after the last expected frosts.
Cultivation: Requires a well-drained moderately fertile soil in a sunny position[1]. Grows well in heavy clay soils and in sandy soils[2].
Grows well with tomatoes.
Removing dead flowers before the seed is formed will extend the flowering season[2].
Plants are prone to slugs, snails and botrytis[2].
Range: C. and S. America - Mexico to Costa Rica
Edibility: The plants are used as a food flavouring[3].
Usage: Although no specific mention of the following use has been seen for this species, most if not all members of this genus probably have a similar effect to a greater or lesser degree. Secretions from the roots of growing plants have an insecticidal effect on the soil, effective against nematodes and to some extent against keeled slugs. These secretions are produced about 3 - 4 months after sowing[1]. The growing plant is also said to repel insects and can be grown amongst crops such as potatoes and tomatoes.
Pollinators: Insects
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Heavy Clay: Grows in heavy-clay soils.
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Brickell, Christopher. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers. Dorling Kindersley Publishers, 1990.
- ↑ Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990.