77 – 84 days. Cracker Jack seeds grow a vibrant golden orange and yellow mix of the famous African Marigold that promises to excite your porch, patio, and garden. Cracker Jack seeds grow summer-hardy marigolds reaching as high as 36” tall showing off brilliant, AAS award-winning 3 – 5½” blooms. Cracker Jack marigold is a unique, floral shop favorite used as a bright orange substitute to hydrangea. Cracker Jack marigold seeds grow tenacious garden performers noted by AAS judges for “large fully double blooms” and being “fade resistant."
Growing Cracker Jack Marigold Garden Seeds
- Taxonomy: Tagetes erecta
- Other Names: African Marigold, Aztec Marigold, American Marigold, Big Marigold
- Seed Type: Annual
- Sow Indoors or Outdoors: Cracker Jack marigolds are a hardy full sun performer and most commonly sown directly after the frost but, for earliest blooms, begin seeds 6 – 8 weeks indoors prior to the frost. Marigolds will take 14 – 21 days to germinate in full lighting. Plants may require early staking since blooming heads may grow to be too heavy and cause stress to the plant if not supported.
- Days to Maturity: 77 – 84 days
- Hardiness Zone: 2 – 11
- Planting Depth: Plant 2 – 3 seeds ¼” deep
- Plant Spacing: 6”
- Growth Habit: 24 – 36” tall bushy upright with a 9 – 12” spread of enormous 3 – 5½” fully-double marigold blooms
- Soil Preference: Average, evenly moist, well-drained
- Light Preference: Full sun
- Diseases/Pests/Troubleshooting: Cracker Jack marigold is a vigorous full sun performer native to Mexico and known to tolerate gardens prone to heat, drought, and clay soils. Do not overwater since marigolds will perform poorly in oversaturated gardens which can lead to powdery mildew, root rot, leaf spots, and Botrytis. Marigold has no serious pests but monitor regularly for spider mites and thrips.
- Color: Mix of golden yellow and honey orange blooms
- Flavor: Used primarily as a food dye for vibrant coloring, dried marigold will have a hint of spicy or citrus notes
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Seeds Per Package:
- 2 g - Approximately 400 Seeds
- 1 oz - Approximately 6,100 Seeds
- 4 oz - Approximately 24,400 Seeds
- 1 lb - Approximately 97,600 Seeds
Cracker Jack marigolds are a hardy full sun performer and most commonly sown directly after the frost but, for earliest blooms, begin seeds 6 – 8 weeks indoors prior to the frost. Marigolds will take 14 – 21 days to germinate in full lighting. Plants may require early staking since blooming heads may grow to be too heavy and cause stress to the plant if not supported. Plant 2 – 3 Cracker Jack marigold seeds ¼” deep and 12” apart in average, evenly moist, and well-drained soil in full sun. Cracker Jack marigold is a vigorous full sun performer native to Mexico and known to tolerate gardens prone to heat, drought, and clay soils. Do not overwater since marigolds will perform poorly in oversaturated gardens which can lead to powdery mildew, root rot, leaf spots, and Botrytis. Marigold has no serious pests but monitor regularly for spider mites and thrips. Cracker Jack marigold seeds mature in 77 – 84 days as 24 – 36” tall bushy uprights with a 9 – 12” spread of enormous 3 – 5½” fully-double marigold blooms. Cracker Jack marigold is an edible variety of flower primarily as a food dye for vibrant coloring, dried marigold will have a hint of spicy or citrus notes.
Tagetes erecta, or more commonly known as Aztec Marigold, is one of the most awarded, recognized, and cultivated flowers in the entire world. Tagetes erecta is native to Mexico, (specifically its states of Mexico, Puebla, and Veracruz) despite having a variety of names including African Marigold or American Marigold. Marigold has been used for thousands of years by pre-Spanish civilizations in medicine, food, dyes, and ritual. Marigold cultivars have won more than 50 All-American Selections awards and do not seem to be slowing down anytime soon.