why did you buy a 3 footer .. if you wanted a 2 footer ..

for the future.. buy the right variety .. shop earlier.. so you have a better selection ...

that said ... i am sure.. with some good pruners.. there is no reason you couldnt prune them ... just stay away from haircuts ... they are a bit stringy.. hence the suggestion for a good tool ... heavy scissors might work also ...

just track down a stem you want shorter ... go 6 iches or so further than the height you want.. and snip at a fork in the road...

and repeat ad nauseum.. during the growing season...

ken

ps: its an old wives tale about them keeping bugs from your maters ... but why not try ...

When I prepare my soil for marigolds I mix in Ironite, Lime and a balanced fertilizer. When you prepare the soil, choose a fertilizer with lower nitrogen.
Also a week after transplanting when you fertilize again choose a lower nitrogen fertilizer.
The lower nitrogen is a suggestion to you to potentially keep the height lower.
It is very critical that you pinch the top of the plant after you get the first 3-4 true leaves. The plant will bush out.
Below is a picture of the only marigold seed I personally will ever grow, Narai.
I get tons of big cut flowers. In the picture they are just beginning to bloom. The picture does not reflect how big the flowers are.
I grow these marigolds in tomatoes cages because they are so prolific. At least until I run out of Tomato cages; the rest I stake.
Haven't had as good performance with other American marigold varieties. But that's me and my climate.
Click on "Marigold Usage" in the sidebar of the link below for an interesting look at marigolds.
Learn how the commercial growers grow marigolds in that site. It helped me finally learn how to grow American marigolds. I personally feel these folks are some of the best marigold growers and marigold developers in the world.
Bob

Here is a link that might be useful: Narai

This post was edited by bugbite on Mon, Jun 3, 13 at 21:37

Hi all.

I grew the Lemon Drop Marigold this year - they are just starting to bloom. They are short - about 12" or less. Here they are between two rows of Zinnias. I think in a vegetable garden these would be ideal between plants.

(I'm new at flower gardening and am officially in love with Zinnias. What a beautiful and diverse flower!)

LKZZ,
Hi, What are the other plants around the marigolds? They look like good plants.
Did you plant the marigolds from seed? If so, when did you plant the seed, approximately? I am trying to judge how long until they produce blooms?
Thanks!