Calendula, beautiful and therapeutic plant for your garden
Calendula is a flower that we find wild in nature and can be planted as an ornamental plant in the garden, as well as in pots on our balcony. A native plant in Southern Europe, a cousin of the daisy, the calendula stands out for its beautiful large flowers in bright yellow and orange, as well as for its medicinal properties. A favorite choice of gardeners, calendula has a long flowering period from early spring to late autumn.
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What conditions does the calendula need during cultivation?
Calendula thrives in sunny places in fields and low-lying fields. If we plant it in a pot in shade or half shade, it will survive showing reduced flowering. Calendula withstands high temperatures, but is sensitive to temperatures close to 0 ° C. For this reason, although it is considered a perennial plant, calendula usually lives for a year, as it can not withstand the cold of winter. Regarding transplanting, calendula wants cool and fertile soil that retains moisture, while if we plant it in a pot we will use general purpose topsoil with enough perlite to retain moisture.
What watering, fertilizing or other care does the calendula need?
Calendula has significant water needs and requires watering as soon as the soil dries. Especially in the hot summer season, if the calendula is planted in shallow pots, we will need to water it 1-2 times a day. Regarding the fertilization of calendula, we add liquid fertilizer for flowering plants every two weeks to enhance its flowering from spring to autumn. It is also good to remove the calendula flowers as soon as they dry to enhance their flowering. At the end of the summer, we prune the calendula as low as 10 cm, to help it bloom in autumn.
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What are the uses of calendula?
Calendula has been used since ancient times as an antiseptic, as an anti-inflammatory, as well as a cream for skin and hair care. Calendula oil has beneficial healing and regenerating properties and is used on sensitive and dry skin.
And a secret for calendula
Calendula flowers are edible and can be used for decoration in salads, for garnish and for aroma in various dishes in our kitchen.