Marigolds?

[big rockpile]

Oh I thought I had found the Companion Plant.

Marigolds bugs good and bad have a thing for them.

Then I was told they are not to be used because they draw. Especially the Dreaded Spyder Mites.

Was told to use Basil.

Thoughts, I'm seeing everyone using Marigolds but I don't want problems?

big rockpile

 

[Meadowlark]

I just haven't seen Marigolds be effective for insect control.

I never plant tomatoes without Basil nearby. I also like sunflowers for trapping stink bugs....but Marigolds, not so much for me.

 

[big rockpile]

Ok if I take Potted Basil and just set some around the plants will this be ok or do I have to plant it with what I'm wanting to protect?

big rockpile

 

[headfullofbees]

Marigolds are great for whitefly.
I use them in the greenhouse & have seen a few before I introduced them, but they soon went, however, the biggest effect has been on my brussels sprouts.
Whitefly love them, & I've seen clouds of them come off when I've shaken a bush.
I've found a few marigolds inter-planted with them, protect the sprouts until the frosts take over.

 

[big rockpile]

Well right now have some in my Garden and my Greenhouse.

Soon as I get my Greenhouse set up and going going to get Lady Bugs. Hopefully permanent residents.

Right now have Marigolds and Basil.

Just moved a Mosquito Plant to my Deck.

big rockpile

 

[LouisFerdinand]

@big rockpile, Are the marigolds a tall variety or a short variety?

 

[big rockpile]

Short French.

big rockpile

 

[Botanic vista]

I understand your concerns about using Marigolds for pest control. Based on my experience and what I've seen, Marigolds have mixed results. They can be effective against certain pests like whiteflies, especially in greenhouses or around plants like brussels sprouts. I've seen them work well in these situations, protecting the plants until the frost kicks in.

However, I've also noticed that they might not be as reliable for all types of pests. For instance, I've always planted tomatoes with Basil nearby, and it works great for me. Basil seems to offer more consistent protection against pests without attracting problems like spider mites.

Additionally, sunflowers can be excellent for trapping stink bugs, which is another helpful tip if you're dealing with those. So, while Marigolds can be beneficial in some cases, I'd recommend experimenting with Basil and sunflowers as well, depending on the specific pests you're facing.

 

[big rockpile]

I understand your concerns about using Marigolds for pest control. Based on my experience and what I've seen, Marigolds have mixed results. They can be effective against certain pests like whiteflies, especially in greenhouses or around plants like brussels sprouts. I've seen them work well in these situations, protecting the plants until the frost kicks in.

However, I've also noticed that they might not be as reliable for all types of pests. For instance, I've always planted tomatoes with Basil nearby, and it works great for me. Basil seems to offer more consistent protection against pests without attracting problems like spider mites.

Additionally, sunflowers can be excellent for trapping stink bugs, which is another helpful tip if you're dealing with those. So, while Marigolds can be beneficial in some cases, I'd recommend experimenting with Basil and sunflowers as well, depending on the specific pests you're facing.

I use Marigolds, Basil and Garlic.

My garden smells like Basil.

I was watering and seen one Hostus that didn't look well.

So I checked it out got Spider Mites. I hit it with Jet of water.

big rockpile

 

[Oliver Buckle]

.'Marigolds' is a collective name for a lot of plants, there are two main groups with about fifty species in one and twenty in the other. It would be strange if they all shared equal protective qualities. Has anyone ever researched which are the best to use? Or even scientifically discovered if they are effective at all? Anecdotal evidence such as 'They keep the whitefly off' may be true, or be true only under certain circumstances, or even be a total misconception. There are so many things like this in gardening where we have a treasury of lore, but no-one has ever really investigated it.

 

[big rockpile]

The little French ones are the best.

Then you African and they may be pretty but not as good.

big rockpile

 

[Botanic vista]

I understand your concerns about using Marigolds for pest control. Based on my experience and what I've seen, Marigolds have mixed results. They can be effective against certain pests like whiteflies, especially in greenhouses or around plants like brussels sprouts. I've seen them work well in these situations, protecting the plants until the frost kicks in.

However, I've also noticed that they might not be as reliable for all types of pests. For instance, I've always planted tomatoes with Basil nearby, and it works great for me. Basil seems to offer more consistent protection against pests without attracting problems like spider mites.

Additionally, sunflowers can be excellent for trapping stink bugs, which is another helpful tip if you're dealing with those. So, while Marigolds can be beneficial in some cases, I'd recommend experimenting with Basil and sunflowers as well, depending on the specific pests you're facing.

Marigolds can be effective for pest control, especially against aphids and whiteflies, due to the compound thiophene that repels soil pests like nematodes. However, they’re not a catch-all solution and may attract spider mites in some cases. French Marigolds (Tagetes patula) tend to be more effective than other varieties.

Basil, on the other hand, is a more consistent companion for tomatoes, repelling thrips, aphids, and even mosquitoes. Nasturtiums are also great as a trap crop, drawing pests like aphids and squash bugs away from key plants. Lastly, sunflowers can effectively trap stink bugs, acting as a sacrificial plant in your garden.

By mixing Marigolds with these other plants, you can develop a more reliable pest control strategy depending on the pests you're facing.

 

[big rockpile]

My whole garden smelled like Basil.

big rockpile