Forget-me-not Myosotis 'Blue Ball'

Water

Forget-me-nots, including the 'Blue Ball' variety, enjoy moist soil, so it's important to water them regularly. They should be watered deeply once or twice a week, depending on the climate and the weather conditions. If you're experiencing a particularly dry spell, you may need to water them more frequently. When watering these plants, aim to slowly add approximately 1 gallon of water per square foot every week. This deep watering technique encourages the roots to grow deeper into the soil, which can help the plant remain robust and healthy.

Light

Forget-me-nots, including the 'Blue Ball' variety, thrive best in partial shade to full sun. If you're growing them outdoors, a spot that receives morning sunlight and afternoon shade is ideal. Indoors, they should be placed in a bright room but away from direct sunlight that can be too intense and can cause the leaves to burn.

Temperature

For Forget-me-nots like the 'Blue Ball' variety, the ideal temperature range is between 60 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. They are hardy in zones 3 to 8, meaning they can survive minimum temperatures from -40 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit. However, prolonged exposure to temperatures outside their comfort zone may stress the plants or hinder their growth.

Pruning

Forget-me-nots like 'Blue Ball' should be pruned to remove spent flowers and encourage a second blooming. Deadheading, or cutting off the faded flowers, can be done periodically throughout the blooming season. After the first bloom, cut back the plant by about half to stimulate new growth and a second wave of flowers.

Cleaning

As needed

Soil

Forget-me-not 'Blue Ball' thrives in moist, well-draining soil enriched with organic matter. A mixture of peat, loam, and sand in equal parts can provide the texture and nutrients it needs. The ideal soil pH should be slightly acidic to neutral, ranging between 6.0 and 7.0.

Repotting

Forget-me-not 'Blue Ball' generally does not require frequent repotting and can be repotted every other year or when it outgrows its current container. It's best to repot in the spring before the onset of the growing season.

Humidity & Misting

Forget-me-not 'Blue Ball' prefers moderate to high humidity levels. To maintain optimal growth, try to provide humidity levels of around 50-60%.

Suitable locations

• Indoor

  Place in bright, indirect light and maintain moisture.

• Outdoor

  Plant in partial shade, keep soil moist, protect from harsh sun.

• Hardiness zone

  3-8 USDA

Life cycle

The Forget-Me-Not 'Blue Ball' starts its life cycle when its seeds germinate, usually in spring, after experiencing the stratification period needed to break dormancy. Seedlings emerge and grow into small rosettes, producing leaves that will photosynthesize and provide nutrients for growth. As the plant matures, it develops stems and begins to form clusters of small, blue, five-petaled flowers with yellow centers, typically in late spring to early summer. After pollination, often by bees or other insects, the flowers develop into fruiting capsules containing seeds. The plant completes its life cycle when these seeds are dispersed, often by falling to the ground near the parent plant or by being carried away by wind, water, or animals. Most Forget-Me-Not varieties are biennials or short-lived perennials, meaning after one or two seasons of flowering, the plant will die, leaving seeds to start the next generation.

Propogation

• Propogation time

  Spring-Early Summer

• The Myosotis 'Blue Ball', commonly known as Forget-me-not, is best propagated through seeds. The optimal time for sowing Forget-me-not seeds is late spring to early summer, once the threat of frost has passed. To propagate, scatter the tiny seeds on the surface of well-drained soil in a shaded or partly shaded area, since Forget-me-nots prefer cool conditions. The seeds need light to germinate, so they should not be covered with soil, but you can gently press them into the surface for good soil contact. Keep the soil consistently moist until germination, which usually takes 8-14 days. Once the seedlings are large enough to handle, they can be thinned out or transplanted to their desired location in the garden.