Marigold, African “Tururu” (Tagetes erecta) seeds, organic
$3.95 – $31.10
Family: Aster (Asteraceae)
Annual: 90 days to flowers
Originally from South America, this is the erect, single-flowered type commonly found in East Africa. The flowers have a single row of petals, they are orange and gold, and they smell excellently. Traditional usage (TWM): antiinflammatory, antiseptic and coloring agent for salves and creams. Plant prefers full sun and regular garden soil. Sow in spring, in pots or directly in the garden. Barely cover seed with soil, tamp securely, and keep evenly moist and warm until germination, which takes only a few days. Grows fast to a 3-foot bush. Very rewarding.
Packet contains 50 seeds
5 g contains ~2,300 seeds
10 g contains ~4,600 seeds
Certified Organically Grown
Darryl Hall (verified owner) –
Last year, a lot of my garden was decimated by potato beetles. This year I mixed Tururu in my rows of potatoes and my leafy greens. The results were amazing. Not only did it keep down the bugs above ground, I’d swear it also worked as a biofumigant as my potato harvest was perfect.
(0) (0) Watch Unwatch
Richo Cech –
Hi Darryl,
Thanks for this informative communication. I. too have found that interplanting with flowers, especially the marigolds which as you know secrete thiophenes that fight baddies in the soil, improves health of desirable crops and increases yield. I’m glad you did this and let us know about it. I’m glad you have. . . potatoes. richo
(0) (0)
Admin Richo Cech –
In indigenous medicine, the roots are eaten with oyster nuts (Telfaria pedata) to relieve pain in the sexual organs (one would hope this malady were due to excessive use, not pathology). Anyhow this accession was one of the main reasons I went to Africa, and I found it growing in several places, but nowhere more abundantly than in this private garden in Kinyasini on the island of Pemba. The local people were kind enough to share the seed with me, and I managed to get it back to the US, carrying it literally in dugout canoes, tramp steamers, speedboats, and in my baggage through customs (the USDA had a passing interest in it, and then out of the kindness of their hearts let it go through.)
(2) (0) Watch Unwatch
Jessica Turner –
I’m curious–my teacher Panquetzani, teaches traditional Mexican postpartum care. She suggest we use Tagetes erecta and refers to this plant as Mexican marigold or Cempoalxochitl. I see you have Mexican Marigold as well but under a different type.. 🙂 i’d love to know your thoughts!
(0) (0)
Admin Richo Cech –
Hi Jessica,
Tagates lucida is one of the plants known as Mexican Marigold, and these common names are often shared by very different plants. In this case the plants are related. All Marigolds come from South America, so African Marigold, despite the common acceptance of the name, is misleading. It is from South America. Your teacher can call it Mexican Marigold if she wants, it would really be more accurate in a way.
Richo
(0) (0)