Growing Chinese Forget Me Not Sprouts: A Complete Guide for Beginners

Hey garden lovers! I’ve been growing Chinese Forget Me Not sprouts for years, and lemme tell you – they’re absolutely gorgeous and not that hard to grow once you know the tricks. Today, I’m gonna share everything I’ve learned about getting these beautiful blue blooms from seed to sprout.

What Are Chinese Forget Me Not Sprouts?

Chinese Forget Me Not (Cynoglossum amabile) sprouts are the baby plants that emerge when you first plant the seeds. Unlike their woodland cousins, these beauties:

• Grow as annuals that bloom in their first year
• Reach heights of 1-2 feet when mature
• Produce delicate blue, pink, or white flowers
• Make excellent cut flowers with sturdy stems

Getting Started: Seed Selection and Timing

When to Plant

The best times to start your sprouts are

• Early spring (3-4 weeks before last frost)
• Late winter for indoor starts (6-8 weeks before transplanting)
• Fall in warmer regions

Seed Selection Tips

Here’s what I’ve learned about picking seeds:

• Always buy fresh seeds – germination rates drop significantly with old seeds
• Purchase 2-3x more seeds than you think you’ll need (trust me on this!)
• Popular varieties include ‘Blue Showers’, ‘Firmament’, and ‘Mystic Pink’

Starting Your Sprouts

Materials Needed:

• Fresh Chinese Forget Me Not seeds
• Seed starting trays (128 or 200 cell)
• Well-draining seed starting mix
• Heat mat (optional but helpful)
• Spray bottle
• Dark space for germination

Step-by-Step Planting Process

1. Prepare Your Trays

   • Fill cells with moistened seed starting mix
   • Leave 1/4 inch space at top

2. Plant Seeds:

   • Place 2-3 seeds per cell
   • Lightly cover with soil (they need darkness!)
   • Water gently

3. Provide Optimal Conditions:

   • Temperature: 68-70°F (20-21°C)
   • Keep soil consistently moist
   • Place in dark location until germination

Caring for Your Sprouts

First Days After Germination:

• Expect sprouts in 5-10 days
• Move to light once sprouted
• Keep soil evenly moist but not soggy

Common Early Problems and Solutions:

Pro Tips from My Experience

After lots of trial and error here’s what works best

1. Temperature Control

   • Keep sprouts around 18-24°C (65-75°F)
   • Avoid cold drafts
   • Use bottom heat if possible

2. Watering Tricks

   • Water from bottom when possible
   • Use room temperature water
   • Keep soil moist but never waterlogged

3. Light Management

   • Once sprouted, provide bright indirect light
   • Avoid direct sun until hardening off
   • Use grow lights if starting indoors

Moving Forward: Transplanting Success

When your sprouts have 2-3 sets of true leaves (usually 3-4 weeks after germination), they’re ready for the next step. Here’s my transplanting process:

1. Hardening Off:

   • Start with 1 hour outside
   • Increase time gradually over 7 days
   • Protect from strong winds

2. Spacing Requirements:

   • Plant 9 inches apart
   • Rows 12 inches apart
   • Choose a spot with good drainage

Common Mistakes to Avoid

We all make mistakes! Here are some I’ve made so you don’t have to:

• Overwatering (biggest killer of sprouts!)
• Starting too late in season
• Using old seeds
• Planting too deeply
• Skipping hardening off process

Wrap-Up

Chinese Forget Me Not sprouts might seem tricky at first, but they’re totally worth the effort! Just remember:

• Use fresh seeds
• Provide darkness for germination
• Keep soil consistently moist
• Be patient (germination takes 5-10 days)
• Give them proper care after sprouting

P.S. Don’t forget to save some seeds from your mature plants – they often germinate better than store-bought ones!