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How to Grow Chinese Forget-Me-Nots from Seed to Blue Bouquet
Chinese Forget-me-not (Cynoglossum amabile) is a delicate blue flower that is perfect for any home flower garden. This low-maintenance early bloomer is a welcome sight in spring. Although similar in looks to woodland forget-me-nots, Chinese Forget-me-nots are not invasive and can be planted from seed for blooms in the first year.
Chinese Forget-me-not stands tall with multiple stems that branch out from the base. The leaves are dark green and have a rough, hairy texture. The focal point of the plants is the charming blue flowers that bloom in clusters on top of stems that reach 12 to 24 inches tall. Chinese Forget-me-nots are beautiful in the garden or as the perfect touch of whimsy in a bouquet or floral design.
These heirloom flowers are also a favorite with bees and butterflies who appreciate the early spring nectar.
How to Grow Chinese Forget-me-nots from Seed
Chinese forget-me-nots thrive in cool spring weather. To make the most of these beautiful blooms, we recommend starting seeds indoors. This will allow you to transplant outdoors after the last spring frost when the weather is just getting warm enough, and you’ll have an early bloom of color.
These mix nicely with tulips, daffodils, and other spring blooms. Chinese forget-me-nots can self-seed and come back next year.
Grow Chinese Forget-Me-Nots to brighten up your spring garden. These delightful blue flowers will attract butterflies and hummingbirds. They are also the best forget-me-not variety to grow for cut flower arrangements.
Tips for fail-proof forget-me-not seed germination
Darkness is needed for germination.
Plant seeds 1/4" deep.
Keep soil moist.
Keep the soil temperature at 65 to 70ºF.
Seeds will germinate in 5 to 8 days.
How to Grow Forget-me-not Plants
Mass plantings of forget-me-nots create a beautiful display. Their delicate flowers are also a pleasing contrast with spring bulbs. Chinese forget-me-nots can also be grown for use as a cut flower. They will start blooming soon after being transplanted.
Chinese forget-me-nots prefer cool temperatures and are easy to grow with these simple requirements.
Sun
They will grow best in locations with morning sun and afternoon shade or light shade all day. They prefer not to get too hot. Chinese forget-me-nots need between 2 and 6 hours of sunlight a day.
Soil
Average soil that drains well is sufficient for healthy growth and beautiful blue blooms.
Water
Chinese forget-me-nots don’t need a lot of water. Water often enough to keep the soil moist but not overly saturated.
Fertilizer
There’s no need to apply extra fertilizer. Too much fertilizer will result in more leaves instead of blooms.
Solutions for Forget-me-not Pests and Diseases
The beauty of Chinese forget-me-nots is how easy they are to care for. They generally don’t have problems with pests and diseases.
If aphids become problematic, there are natural methods to deter them.
To avoid problems such as powdery mildew, provide adequate space between forget-me-not plants for sufficient airflow. Additionally, keeping the soil moist but not too wet will help reduce fungal issues.
Harvesting Forget-Me-Nots
Chinese forget-me-not makes an excellent cut flower. This variety grows tall enough to be used in various flower arrangements, either as foliage or a filler flower. The flowers should start blooming 10 to 12 weeks after planting outdoors.
It is best to cut flowers in the morning while it is still cool and place them in a bucket of water to maintain their freshness. The vase life of Chinese forget-me-not flowers is five to seven days.
You can keep harvesting flowers until they go dormant in hot weather. For those in cooler climates, these flowers will continue blooming until frost.
Chinese forget-me-nots are not aromatic flowers, but their petal shape and unique color make them a popular variety for flower farmers.
Chinese Forget-Me-Not FAQs
How is Chinese Forget-Me-Not different?
Chinese forget-me-not isn’t considered an invasive plant like true forget-me-not. But it does self-seed. The Chinese forget-me-not will bloom the first year it is planted, unlike Myosotis sylvatica. Both are in the Boraginaceae family.
Is Chinese Forget-Me-Not invasive?
Chinese forget-me-not will self-seed but is not considered invasive. To prevent it from self-sowing, cut blossoms and don’t allow seeds to form.
Does forget-me-not come back every year?
In temperate climates where it doesn’t freeze, Chinese forget-me-not can be grown as a biannual. But after a freeze, it will not grow back.
Where is the best place to plant forget-me-nots?
Choose a spot with average soil that drains well and gets 2 to 6 hours of sunlight.
What time of year do you plant forget-me-nots?
You can start forget-me-not seeds indoors and plant seedlings outside after the last spring frost or sow them outdoors in the fall.
Can forget-me-nots be grown in pots?
Chinese forget-me-nots can be grown in containers. Keep the soil moist but not overly saturated.
Chinese forget-me-not is a beautiful, easy-to-grow flower that will light up your spring garden. It can be grown for cut flower arrangements or left alone to go to seed in a perennial or cottage flower garden. With its reliable source of early blue blooms, this will become a favorite flower to look forward to year after year. Don’t pass up on growing Chinese forget-me-nots from seed.
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