Moonsong Deep Orange

Family: Asteraceae Flower

Sunset-bright blooms arrive in steady waves, their deep orange petals glowing like burnished copper in warm light.

Moonsong Deep Orange forms sturdy, upright plants with full, double flower heads that hold their shape and add rich texture to beds and borders. Let this African marigold be your bold, reliable color for long-lasting display—ideal for mass planting and companion planting where you want dependable, garden-ready impact.

Light: Full SunMaturity: 70 DaysHabit: Upright

Botanical illustration of Moonsong Deep Orange

Planting schedules and alerts are optimized for Columbus (Zone 6b).

Crop Dates

Milestone	Date
Start Indoors	Mar 21st
Last Frost	Apr 25th
Transplant / Sow Outdoors	May 9th
Harvest Begins	Jul 18th
Harvest Ends	Oct 16th

Crop Details

Trait	Value
Days to Maturity	70
Sun Requirements	Full Sun
Growth Habit	Upright
Support Needed	None
Planting Depth	Normal
Germination Temp (°F)	70
Min Soil Temp (°F)	60
Min Night Temp (°F)	40
Harden Off (days)	7

Culinary Notes

Chef's Note

Ornamental African marigold (Tagetes erecta) even if marked edible; no culinary flavor/usage specs provided here, so I’m not going to invent descriptors, preparations, or pairings. Treat as strictly non-consumption unless you have a trusted, specific edible-flower preparation guide for this exact variety.

Flavor Profile

N/A (no culinary flavor data provided)

Frequently Asked Questions

What pest or disease commonly affects Tagetes erecta (African marigold), and how can I treat it?

A common problem is powdery mildew, which shows up as a white, dusty coating on leaves during warm, humid periods. Improve airflow by spacing plants and watering at the soil line (not the foliage), then remove heavily infected leaves to slow spread. If needed for home gardens, spray with a labeled sulfur-based or potassium bicarbonate fungicide and repeat according to the product directions.

How often should I water Tagetes erecta during the main growing phase?

During active growth, keep the top 1–2 inches of soil lightly moist but not soggy; water when the surface begins to dry. Aim for deep watering that soaks the root zone, then let excess water drain—Tagetes erecta will struggle if the soil stays consistently wet. In full sun, this typically means about 1 inch of water per week depending on heat and soil, split into 1–3 sessions.

How do I know when Tagetes erecta (African marigold) is ready to harvest?

Harvest for the best flower quality when the blooms are fully formed and evenly colored, with petals open and crisp-looking—not still tight and unopened. For cut flowers, pick in the morning after dew dries but before the day gets hot, and continue harvesting to encourage more flowering. Most Tagetes erecta cultivars are ready around 70 days from sowing, but use flower stage as the final indicator.