How to Plant Monkey Flower Seeds: A Detailed Guide to Sowing Methods and Tips

The monkey flower (Mimulus) is native to Chile, and its flower face has blotches or spots, making the whole bloom look just like a monkey's face. So what is the best way to plant monkey flower seeds?

1. How to plant monkey flower seeds

Mix garden soil, sandy soil and leaf mold evenly to make the planting soil. Choose spring or autumn as the sowing time. Water the soil thoroughly, then scatter the seeds evenly on top and press them down lightly; no covering with soil is needed, and they will sprout in about a week.

2. Caring for monkey flowers

1. When the seeds are planted, make sure there is good ventilation, keep the soil moist, and place the pot in a shady spot.

2. Provide shade during the high temperatures of summer; in the other seasons it can take a moderate amount of light, and in winter it should get plenty of sun.

3. The suitable growing temperature for monkey flowers is 15-28°C. In winter the temperature should not drop below 10°C, and during summer's high temperatures the plant should be placed in a shady spot.

4. Apply a nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium compound fertilizer once a month; the amount does not need to be large, to prevent burning the roots.

5. After it blooms, if you want the flowering period to last a little longer, you can place it by a south-facing window, which can extend its blooming time; you can also pinch off the growing tips to encourage branching and more flowers.

6. Aphids are very harmful to monkey flowers: they not only suck the plant's sap but also spread various viruses. At the first sign of them, promptly spray with a 50% malathion emulsion diluted 1000 times.

Monkey flower seeds are tiny and relatively easy to plant, and the plant is well suited to growing in pots.