[8Bed]

I will be planting some Tomato plants in growbags inside my greenhouse soon, I have read somewhere that its wise to plant Marigold in-between the Toms as it keeps a type of fly away that attacks them.

I have just been to the garden centre & saw quite a selection of Marigold, Is there a specific type i should go for or, Will any Marigold do?

-Dave

[mumofstig]

They need to be Tagetes rather than Calendula

[JulesJ]

They need to be Tagetes rather than Calendula

Oh bum - I've grown the wrong kind ...

[mrs.ploppy]

When I grow my toms in their pots I just get the marigold seeds and puch them into the compost when I pot them up.  That way the marigolds grow round the bottom of the plant.  No need to faf about growing them separate or buying expensive plants.

[wyandotty]

OK can someone help me I think I have sown the wrong kind as well

Have just looked at my packet and it says French Honeycomb, are these still good for bugs or should I just use these in my flower beds?

[JulesJ]

I think yours are tagetes patula so you should be okay.

[mrs.ploppy]

Have just googled it and it says "tagetes patula Honeycomb Compositae.  So you are ok.

[mumofstig]

French or african  (And Mexican) marigolds are Tagetes it's the 'english' pot marigolds that are Calendula

[8Bed]

Thank you all very much 

[sunshineband]

They need to be Tagetes rather than Calendula

Oh bum - I've grown the wrong kind ...

Actually they work too, so no worries, plus you can eat the petals or make a really effective antiseptic out of the petals

[peapod]

Ive decided that you are my new found guru Sunshine 

Id love to see the antiseptic recipe

[pushrod]

I grow marigolds beside lettuces to repel greenfly but have never had any probs with aphids/flies and greenhouse tomatoes. 

[sunshineband]

Ive decided that you are my new found guru Sunshine 

Id love to see the antiseptic recipe

Worryng level of responsibility you've given me here, Peapod 

Marigold (ie Calendula, not French Marigold/Tagetes) petals make a very useful antiseptic infusion that is one of the best things for treating skin inflammation, cuts & bruises, grazes. It is also useful for those that heal slowly like skin ulcers or septic cuts. It also helps healing by promoting clotting. As it is totally safe, you can also use it as a gargle for sore throats, to teat nappy rash or burns.
Bit of a warning though -- best not to use it on really deep cust or puncture woudds like bites as it can seal the wound over so fast --- need to keep this sort of wound able to drain and heal from the inside out so dirt/ bacteria are not sealed in!!! However, with bad wounds, taking a small amount as a drink three or four times a day seems to be helpful.

Right the very complicated  recipe is:

Put two or three teaspoons of petals (fresh or dried) in a clean jug and pour over about a cupful of boiling water. Leave to infuse for around 15 mins then strain and cool.
Use three or four times daily.

Hope this is helpful -- we have used it for absolutely years

Kind regards

[Jay Dubya]

Hi, i hate to be different but i find that Calendula works best for blackfly and Tagettes are best for carrot fly. anybody else agree.

[sunshineband]

Calandula does a pretty good job for both I find as it attracts back fly like mad, but ther smell confuses carrot fly in the same way as tagetes. Also it attracts hover flies, which has got to be a good thing