Forget me nots - totally confused

[Lorelei76]

hello all
I wonder if any of you know about these? I tried to grow them from seed last spring, they grew leaves and that was it. I foolishly chucked them away as they looked a bit tatty but now I think they might have flowered next year.

Anyway, so much conflicting information out there... I'm now wondering if they would do better in seed trays so each one is carefully nurtured and gets a good root, then plant out on the balcony in spring. Is that worth a try? Would they not flower in summer 2017, some websites are saying to allow them 2 years?

If it's worth a go, I was planning to keep the seed tray in a cool spot in the flat but I admit a cool spot in here isn't all that cool!

Really interested to hear your thoughts thanks.

[shovetheholly]

You can sow forget me nots any time from Mayish to three weeks before the first frost (though I think that might be pushing it a bit - you normally want to give them a bit of leeway). They flower the following year! You can often buy plug plants in the spring.

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

I have loads in the garden , I just bought a packet of seeds last year and threw them on the garden and watered. This year I had even more as they'd self seeded. Every square inch is covered with them so my chuck it and hope for the best method works!

[Lorelei76]

oh, so if I grow them this year they won't flower till next year?

in that case, if I go for my rockery plant options (post spring bulbs) then what I might do is just pop some forget me not seeds in any spaces? Then I won't be wasting a whole trough in that limited space?

I didn't see any plug plants but I did see full size plants going for shocking prices and they weren't even in good condition.

[DameDiazepamTheDramaQueen]

I just threw the seeds down after May and they flowered that year.

[Lorelei76]

ooh Dame, they flowered that year? Interesting. So maybe it's luck and bothering with a seed tray isn't needed.....but of course a container doesn't give them much soil depth...

[gingeroots]

lorelei I don't think they need a lot of room for roots ,I've loads and often move them from the ground into pots .

I wonder if you might be anywhere near me - I'm in SE London - you'd be very welcome to some of mine .I do like Forget me nots ,which is just as well as they grow like weeds in my garden .

[Ohyesiam]

Mine flowered from seed the same year
Sarah raven has plugs of the deep blue ones.

[gingeroots]

www.sarahraven.com/flowers/plants/biennial_plants/myosotis_sylvatica_wallufer_schnitt.htm

[agnesf]

They are bienniel. Sow this summer. Flower the next spring.

I think you are a bit late this year for seeds - although if you are somewhere warm like London you could be lucky. If not then go for plug plants - already seeded in summer.

Once they have fninshed flowering in April/ may - pull up, shake about - hopefully will self seed for next year.

[Lorelei76]

Ginger, thanks, that's really thoughtful of you but I'm far away, really appreciate the offer.

OhYesIAm - Thanks for flagging that up on the SR website, can't decide whether to do them from seed indoors as planned or get the plug plants.

[Lorelei76]

Agnes, cross post, good point.

[gingeroots]

I'm back to carry on talking about forget me nots .I do like them ,they seem such brave little things and gave my garden colour and ground cover when I couldn't tend to it .

Anyway ....have been looking them up and it says they like quite moist soil and a bit of shade but can adapt to sun . In my garden they grow in both full sun and shade .

And it says if in pots to plant with other plants that also enjoy quite damp conditions like pansies and snapdragons .

[Lorelei76]

Thanks ginger
I tend to think of gentians as brave but that's because of the verse
"It tried to be a rose but failed
And all the summer laughed
But just before the snows
There came a purple creature that ravished all the hill
And the summer hid her forehead and the mockery was still"