Forget Me Not Flower


Forget Me Not Flower

Forget me not flower is a small, showy flower colors that brighten any corner plants. Their care is easy, so much that whether you have or not experience caring for plant beings, you will not have any (or almost no) problem with them.

Even so, if you have doubts about its maintenance do not worry. Then I will tell you what your preferences are and, in addition, I will give you many tips on their care that may be useful.

Origin and characteristics

Our protagonists are annual or perennial plants depending on the climate and variety belonging to the genus Myosotis, which is composed of about 50 endemic species especially New Zealand, but there is one that is European, such as Myosotis sylvatica . Popularly they are known as miosotis, desperate love, eternal lover or forget-me-nots.

They reach heights between 30 and 80 centimeters , with green and lanceolate leaves, and flowers up to 1cm in diameter composed of five blue or pink petals.

Main species

The most popular are:

  • Myosotis arvensis : is an annual herb up to 40cm high that produces bluish flowers. It is common in Britain, but it is also found in the rest of Europe.
  • Myosotis alpestris : known as alpina forget-me-not, is a perennial herb up to 30cm tall that produces blue flowers. It is native to the temperate-cold regions of Europe.
  • Myosotis scorpioides : known as forget-me-nots or water forget-me-nots, it is a perennial herb that reaches 70cm in height and produces pink flowers. It is native to Eurasia.
  • Myosotis sylvatica : known as the forget-me-not of the forest or forget-me-not of the wood, it is a perennial or biennial herb that reaches a height of 15cm and produces blue flowers.

What are your cares?

How to have a healthy copy in the garden or yard? Well, very simple. For that you just have to follow our advice:

Location

They are plants that have to be outdoors, in full sun or in semi-shade . If you opt for this last option, it is important that you place it in an area where it receives at least 3-4 hours of direct light so that it can flourish without problems.

land

  • Pot : plant in a nutrient-rich substrate, such as universal (buy it here ) mixed with mulch (for sale here ) and, if it does not, pearlite (as it is here ). Everything in equal parts.
  • Garden : grows in soils rich in organic matter, with drainage. In this link you have information about the importance of this for plants.

Irrigation

The frequency of irrigation will vary a lot throughout the year: while in summer it will be necessary to water very often to avoid drying, in spring and especially in autumn / winter it will hardly be watered because the earth will take longer to lose moisture.

The nemolvides do not support the drought, but an excess of water also harms them . Bearing this in mind, the ideal is to check the humidity before proceeding to pour water, for example with a digital humidity meter or with the classic thin wooden stick (if you put it with a lot of dirt on it, do not water it).

Another option to know if they need water or not is weighing the pot once it is watered and again after a few days. Because wet soil weighs more than dry soil, you can be guided by this weight difference.

And if you still have doubts, you should know that they water an average of 4 times a week in summer, and an average of 1-2 times a week the rest of the year.

FORGET ME NOT FLOWER

Fertilizers

Apart from water, if you want it to be beautiful and produce a large amount of flowers, it is necessary to fertilize it in spring and summer with a little compost , guano , manure, humus or any other natural fertilizer .

You can use compound (chemical) fertilizers, like this one , but you have to know that there is a high risk of overdose and that they can harm the environment if they are misused.

HUMUS IS A NATURAL FERTILIZER

Pruning

It is not necessary. You just have to cut the dried leaves and the withered flowers.

Propagation

Forget-me-nots are multiplied by seeds in spring . The step by step to follow is the following:

  1. The first thing to do is to introduce the seeds in a glass of water for 24 hours. The next day you can discard those that have not sunk, because it is possible that they do not germinate.
  2. Then, fill in a seedbed, like a flowerpot, milk containers, or yogurt cups, or anything else that you have on hand that is waterproof and has (or can be made) some hole for drainage, with growing medium universal.
  3. Next, place the seeds on the surface of the substrate, as far apart as possible.
  4. Then, cover them with a thin layer of substrate, and enter a label where you will have written the name of the plant and the date of planting. This way, you will have a better control of the seed germination and you will not lose the seedbed.
  5. Finally, water to consciousness. If you want, place a dish under the seedbed and fill it with water. Do not forget to do it again if you notice that the substrate has not been completely moistened.

Keeping the substrate moist but not waterlogged, will germinate in 2 or maximum 3 seeds.

Time of planting or transplant

In spring , when the risk of frost has passed. If you have a pot, as are small plants, just transplant it when you buy one of about 25 or 30cm in diameter, or choose to plant several in planters.

Plagues and diseases

It is very resistant, but if the cultivation conditions are not adequate it can be affected by:

  • Mealybugs : be cottony or barnacle type. They favor the dry and warm environment, since it is when they take advantage of to feed on the sap of the leaves. 
    Combat with insecticides against pillbugs or paraffin.
  • Mollusks (snails and slugs): they love to leave shortly after it has rained to feed on any tender bud they find. 
    They fight with beer, taking them and taking them far (to more than 50 meters) or protecting the plants with mosquito net (for sale here ).
THE FORGET ME NOT FLOWER CAN BE PINK OR BLUE

Resilience

It depends a lot on the species, but in principle they can be grown in climates with minimum temperatures of up to -5ºC.

What do you think of forget-me-nots?

Don Burke

I am Don Burke, one of the authors at My Garden Guide.  I am a horticulturist that cultivates, grows, and cares for plants, ranging from shrubs and fruits to flowers. I do it in my own garden and in my nursery. I show you how to take care of your garden and how to perform garden landscaping in an easy way, step by step.I am originally from Sydney and I wrote in local magazines. Later on, I have decided, more than two decades ago, to create my own blog. My area of specialization is related to orchid care, succulent care, and the study of the substrate and the soil. Therefore, you will see many articles dedicated to these disciplines. I also provide advice about how to improve the landscape design of your garden.

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