Suffering Marigolds - Ask Extension
Just came back to this property after a month. The Marigolds are fairly new to the garden and last month were doing well (except for some nibbling by ...
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Suffering Marigolds #879852
Asked August 02, 2024, 9:20 AM EDT
Just came back to this property after a month. The Marigolds are fairly new to the garden and last month were doing well (except for some nibbling by someone). Today they seem to be showing some distress, some more than others. My first thought was that they looked a bit sunburned, but it seems more universal and I'm wondering if they're susceptible to insect it disease of some sort.
If you would give me your best analysis of what you think, and then whatever measures we should take if any.
Thank you as always
Jon
Baltimore County Maryland
Expert Response
Hello Jon,
It's difficult to determine the exact causes of their symptoms from the photos, but there is definitely some leaf feeding damage by either spider mites, thrips, and/or leafhoppers. The linked pages provide more information and, when appropriate, management tips. These issues might be overlapping with drought stress as well; was someone able to monitor the garden for watering needs while you were away, since most of the region is in a state of drought? (The lack of a 2-3" mulch layer over the soil can also make roots more vulnerable to drought stress.) Both over- and under-watering can generate similar symptoms, so it's hard to tell them apart sometimes, and while Marigolds do have some drought tolerance, that can be influenced by soil conditions and if they established well after planting.
Miri
It's difficult to determine the exact causes of their symptoms from the photos, but there is definitely some leaf feeding damage by either spider mites, thrips, and/or leafhoppers. The linked pages provide more information and, when appropriate, management tips. These issues might be overlapping with drought stress as well; was someone able to monitor the garden for watering needs while you were away, since most of the region is in a state of drought? (The lack of a 2-3" mulch layer over the soil can also make roots more vulnerable to drought stress.) Both over- and under-watering can generate similar symptoms, so it's hard to tell them apart sometimes, and while Marigolds do have some drought tolerance, that can be influenced by soil conditions and if they established well after planting.
Miri
