Red Velvet Flower Seeds

The red velvet flower or velvet is an annual plant belonging to the Asteraceae family, characterized by its bright multi-colored flowers and its elongated, fragrant green leaves. Its strong scent is considered a natural repellent against garden pests such as aphids and whiteflies. It spreads quickly automatically and grows on its own in the next season. Scientific name: Tagetes patula. Genus: Velvet. Family: Asteraceae. Native habitat: Southern United States and Mexico. Flowering season: from June to October. Flower colors: various colors of velvet flower including red, yellow, orange, brown, and white. Vegetation cover: Annual. Plant height: from 20 to 50 cm. Environmental conditions for velvet flower plant: Exposure: grows in full sun to partial shade, but the plant should be exposed to at least 8 hours of sunlight daily. Preferred soil for cultivation: grows in light sandy to clay soil, but it must be well-drained. Soil pH: acidic, neutral, alkaline. Watering: Velvet flowers are watered regularly, especially in the first weeks after sowing or planting, and also watered regularly in case of drought, but do not overwater to avoid root rot. Best planting time: Velvet flowers are planted from mid-February to May, as they will sprout within 3 to 20 days. Method of cultivation: The velvet flower is cultivated by seeds, where the soil is prepared by adding suitable fertilizer; then the seeds are placed on the soil; and the seeds are planted at a depth of 1 cm. Cover the seeds gently with a few millimeters of soil mixture and finally water them to thoroughly moisten the soil. Remove faded flowers whenever they appear on the plant, as this will stimulate the appearance of new flowers.