The forget-me-nots are a whole genus of plants, the Myosotis , highly valued for their decorative value despite their small size. It is a very easy to care plant, so its charm adds to its resistance and low demand, being suitable for beginners or amateurs with little time.
If you want to learn how to care for and plant forget-me-nots, join us in this article where you will see a practical guide on caring for the forget-me-not plant .
Forget-me-not plant characteristics
What is the forget-me-not plant like? These are the main characteristics of the forget-me-not or forget-me-not plant:
- The Myosotis are flowering plants that can be both annual and perennial. Annuals bloom in spring, while perennials can bloom year-round.
- They are small plants, with heights of between 30 and 80 cm generally, although those of this last height are quite rare.
- The forget-me-not flower has a diameter of about 1 cm, and consists of five petals with a fluffy touch and a striking bluish and sometimes pink and purple color , which is very attractive and decorative in any garden or interior.
- Its common name comes from a German legend, which tells how a woman saw such a beautiful flower floating in the waters of the Danube that she asked her lover to bring it from the river. He threw himself into the water, and although he managed to reach the flower, he drowned before he could get out. His last words for his beloved were “vergiss mich nicht” or, in Spanish, “don’t forget me.”
- The genus has around 50 species, most of them endemic to New Zealand. Among the most common are Myosotis arvensis , Myosotis alpestris , Myosotis scorpioides and the most widespread of all, Myosotis sylvatica , the latter typical of Europe. Despite their variety, most of them share their main needs in terms of care.
How to sow the flowers do not forget me
Forget-me-nots are usually multiplied by seeds, as they are not difficult to germinate. When it comes to knowing when the plant is sown, do not forget me , the important thing is to do it in early spring , which will be when we have a greater probability of germination and correct growth. Follow these steps to plant the forget-me-not plant :
- To sow, the first thing is to leave the seeds in water for a whole day.
- After these first 24 hours we discard those that do not float and we keep the others, which will be the ones that will germinate.
- We recommend sowing in a seedbed, any small container such as a glass of coffee or a container of yogurt is enough, prepared with drainage holes and a substrate such as the pot that we have mentioned above.
- Place the seeds, cover them with about 1 cm of substrate and water afterwards.
- In about 15 days the seeds should germinate. When the plants are 10-15 cm tall, they are ready to be transplanted to their final location.
Light and location for the forget-me-not plant
Forget-me-nots are outdoor plants that require well-lit environments. Depending on the climate and the specific species, the forget-me-not will need a location with full exposure or semi-shade, although even in the latter case, the ideal is that it receives at least 3 or 4 hours of direct sunlight per day if we want it to produce a bloom abundant.
Watering the forget-me-nots
These plants need a fairly constant level of humidity in the warm months, as they do not tolerate drought well. Thus, during spring and summer it will be necessary to water them approximately every 24-48 hours , depending on the specific climate and the characteristics of the soil. In the cold months it will be necessary to remarkably space the waterings, up to 1 or 2 weekly waterings . In any case, always avoid waterlogging the soil, or the roots could rot and attract disease.
If you have doubts about whether you should water, you can use the simple method of inserting a small wooden stick into the ground, as if it were a toothpick in a sponge cake. If it has a lot of soil stuck to it when you take it out, it is still damp and you don’t need to water yet.
Soil and compost for forget-me-nots
As with most flowering plants, Myosotis need a soil that is quite rich in nutrients to be able to produce those blooms that we love so much. It is also very important that the soil or substrate offers the best possible drainage to avoid those dangerous flooding that we have mentioned before.
In pot, you can use the mixture that we usually recommend with equal parts coconut fiber , peat and worm humus , to which you must then add perlite to further improve its properties. In the garden or outside, find an area where the water drains well and enrich it with compost before planting.
Apart from the substrate or soil, the plant will need a contribution of organic matter or fertilizer in the warm months to develop its flowering well.
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