When growing Marigolds...?
Question:...should the stems be a deep red color when they're a month old, or is that bad?
Answers:
I've grown marigolds for many years and some varieties do indeed have reddish brown stems, especially when they are the age of your plants. Some even keep that stem color when they mature and begin to blossom. The smaller stems, farthest from the main stem tend to be more green, but it does depend on the variety. If you've never grown marigolds before you're in for a treat: they are hardy and beautiful in the late summer and fall. Be sure to carefully remove some of the dried up blossoms at the end of the season and save them in a cool dry spot so next year you can open them, remove the seeds, and grow your own plants. The bullet shaped bottoms of the blossoms contain many seeds - they are long and thin (about 1/2 inch), usually dark in color and are easy to plant. Simply separate the seeds and plant them about 1/4 inch deep and cover with soil and pat them down gently and keep them moist until they germinate. When they reach 3 inches, or so, in height you may transplant them. Try buying different varieties of plants and mixes of seeds to find some you really like. Marigolds come in a wide variety of blossom types, sizes, and colors. If you buy plants from which you would ultimately like to make seeds be sure they are NOT hybrids because plants grown from hybrid seeds may not look like the original plants. Good luck and ENJOY!
Marigold stems should be a pale to dark green all through the growing season. Sounds like you have a mold called "Rust" developing. You can treat just about any mold situation with a solution of cupronil (copper) spray mixed with a tbsp of dish washing liquid per gallon of water. You can buy the solution already mixed at any gardening store or center. When spraying pay close attention to the underside of the leaves and blooms.
Good luck!
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