Anyone ever grow calendula flowers?

[Aisling]

Do you have any tips for keeping the bugs off? I really want to grow some, but I hear the petals are prone to getting eaten :/ Any way to stop that, aside from pesticide?

[Lady TS]

I've had calendula the last 3 years. I don't recall bugs bothering them too much here. :think You could use a pyrethrum spray, I suppose. If it's aphids, you can spray dishwater on them.

I do know that calendula likes cooler weather. It does great in the spring here and then when it gets hot and humid it does not so great, and then in the fall it looks good again. You have to pop off the dead blooms to keep it blooming or else they will go to seed and you won't have anymore flowers. If you let the last heads before frost go to seed, they should reseed themselves for next year. :tu

[Aisling]

Thanks! :tu I'll try to plant them early then, since it gets pretty warm here in TN. Do they do ok in partial sun?

[Lady TS]

I think so, especially since it will get hot for them later in the season.

[Aisling]

:tu Thanks