My Forget-Me-Not Seeds Are Not Germinating

Planting Basics

• The Royal Horticultural Society in the UK recommends planting Forget-Me-Not seeds 1/2 to 3/4 inch deep and 6 inches apart in part shade to full sun. Cover them with soil and keep the soil moist. The seeds should germinate in 14 to 21 days at temperatures between 68 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Your plants will grow from 16 to 24 inches tall, so you should space them 8 to 10 inches apart.

Special Planting

• If you want early spring blossoms, plant your seeds in the late summer. If you live in Alaska, sow your seeds five to six weeks before the spring thaw in a container that drains well. Cover the container with black plastic and keep the potting soil moist. When the seeds begin to sprout, remove the plastic. If you want your Forget-Me-Nots to reseed themselves, leave the spent blossoms on the ground.

Viable Seeds

• Forget-Me-Not seeds are reported to have germinated two to three years after they were shed, although some seeds may germinate after that. You may have bought older seeds that are no longer capable of germinating. Check the label on the seed envelope to see if it has a “plant by” date.

Darkness

• Many flower seeds require light to germinate and will grow if you sprinkle them on the ground. Forget-Me-Not seeds are not among them. They require darkness. Cover your seeds with at least 1/8 inch of soil. Most Forget-Me-Nots produce around 700 seeds. Larger plants may yield 1,500 to 3,000 seeds. These seeds fall on the ground, but not all of them germinate. The seeds that somehow get covered with enough soil to give them darkness are the seeds that germinate.