[Sideshoot]

I bought a packet of african marigolds and grew them, when they were large enough i planted them outside. Mr slug came along and chewed through the stem of a few so to replace them i bought some from the local garden centre.

Fast forward a month or two and the ones i sowed dwarf the shop bought replacements.
Everyone ive chatted to over the garden wall has never seen marigolds so tall, I counted 23 flower heads (yet to open) on one plant yestersday and they must be standing 3 1/2 feet tall. The soil hasnt been filled with any compost or manure and as only had a few handfuls of westlands chicken manure pellets (only cos they were BOGOF at tescos).

The shop bought ones are only 10" or so tall. If i can work out how to put pics up i will, has anyone else had african marigolds this tall, also ive never seen so many flower buds either.

[sunshineband]

About 24-25 years ago we had african marigolds like this and have never been able to find any since.

They were superb, and the dwarf ones just never have measured up 

Are they setting seed in the spent flower heads, because if so you might be on to a winner there 

[Sideshoot]

they havent opened yet but judging by how many 'buds' there are i will have hundreds and hundreds of flowers.

Never seen anything like it.

[Sooz]

My word, that's tall.
We have some Crackerjack marigolds which are taller than the african, but not 3 1/2feet tall.
Keep the seeds - you may have a new strain!! 

[webby139]

I'm a little jealous of you all.

I have quite a large flower bed all round my lawn - every year i plant all kinds of bedding plants with fairly good success. Lots of colour / real healthy plants.

APART from the Marigolds - thin / weak / not many flowers.
To the point this year i haven't even wasted my time or money.

Any possible reason for this ?

Cheers.
 

[sunshineband]

Not enough water, if your weather has been like ours 

[Sideshoot]

mine have had plenty of water either from the sky, from the can or from the hose, as i havent got a mahooosive garden it hasnt taken alot of effort to keep everthing well watered.

[ANHBUC]

Can't wait to see the pictures.  Do you think they could have been crossed with sunflowers! 

[Sideshoot]

Can't wait to see the pictures.  Do you think they could have been crossed with sunflowers! 

Funnily enough there are sunflowers in the adjacent border lol

[ANHBUC]

I have the opposite sometimes when the birds have seeded a sunflower they only grow  about 3 to 4 inches.   

[joyce c]

Last year my marigolds reached to at least40".  I put it down to them reaching for light.  Now again this year, they;re the same.  Both years grown from seed.  I can't remember where I bought last years, but this years was from either Wilko's or Lidl.  I've had great success with Lidl's seeds.