How To Grow Forget Me Not From Seeds
Forget-me-nots are lovely, delicate flowers that bloom in the spring and are perfect for adding a touch of color to any garden or flowerbed.
While these plants can be purchased at a garden center, growing forget-me-nots from seeds is a fun and rewarding experience that can result in a vast array of different plants with unique colors and shapes.
The following guide can help you grow forget-me-not from seeds:
Step 1: Choose a location
Forget-me-nots prefer partial shade, but can also grow in full sun or full shade. They prefer well-draining soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.5. If the soil in your chosen location is heavy or clay-like, consider adding compost or peat moss to improve drainage.
Step 2: Start Forget-me-not seeds indoors
Forget-me-not seeds can be started indoors in late winter or early spring, about 6 to 8 weeks before the last expected frost date. Fill a seed tray with a high-quality seed compost and make sure the soil is moist. Sprinkle the Forget-me-not seeds over the surface of the prepared soil, making sure that they are spaced evenly apart. Cover the seeds with a layer of compost or vermiculite and mist the tray with water. Cover the tray with plastic wrap to help keep the seeds moist and place it in a warm location, such as a heated propagator or on a windowsill.
Step 3: Transplant Forget-me-not seedlings
Once the forget-me-not seedlings have developed their first set of true leaves, they can be transplanted into individual pots. Fill pots with a high-quality potting compost and carefully remove the seedlings from the seed tray, trying not to damage the delicate roots. Plant the seedlings in the pots, making sure that the compost is covering the roots and a part of the stem. Water the seedlings thoroughly and place them in a bright location, but not in direct sunlight.
Step 4: Hardening off
Before planting the forget-me-not seedlings in the garden, they need to be hardened off. This process gradually acclimates the plants to outdoor conditions and helps prevent shock when they are planted. Start by placing the potted seedlings outside in a sheltered location for a few hours each day, gradually increasing the amount of time they spend outside over a week or two.
Step 5: Planting Forget-me-not in the garden
Once the seedlings have been hardened off, they are ready to be planted in the garden. Choose a location in the garden that has well-draining soil and provides partial shade or full sun, depending on what the seedlings have become acclimated to. Dig a hole in the soil, large enough to accommodate the root ball of the seedling, and place the seedling in the hole. Fill in the soil around the seedling, gently packing it down. Water the seedling thoroughly and mulch the area around it to help retain moisture in the soil.
Step 6: Caring for Forget-me-nots
Forget-me-nots are low-maintenance plants, but they do require regular watering, especially during dry periods. Make sure to keep the soil consistently moist, but not waterlogged, to prevent root rot. Fertilize the plants with a balanced, all-purpose fertilizer every two weeks to encourage healthy growth and abundant blooms. Deadhead the flowers regularly to encourage continued blooming throughout the growing season.
In conclusion, growing forget-me-nots from seeds is a fun and easy project that can add a pop of color to any garden.
