Four o’clocks are easy to grow from seed.
Plants get to be
two or three feet tall
in sunny spots or in part shade, and they bloom from midsummer until frost. In relatively warm-winter climates, four o’clocks will come back every year from tubers that overwinter in the ground.
Do four o’clocks have deep roots?
The stems of Smooth spreading four o’clock (Mirabilis oxybaphoides) spread along the ground. Roots:
Most species have a deep, woody taproot crowned with a branching structure called a caudex
. Marvel of Peru (Mirabilis jalapa) roots are fibrous.
Can you plant 4 O clocks in pots?
You can also grow four o clocks in 1 to 5 gallon-sized pots growing 2 to 5 plants per pot depending on the pot size
. Keep the containers well watered and fertilized monthly. Keep plants well watered and weeded. Fertilize in mid summer with an organic plant food to spur more growth and flowering.
Can you cut back 4 O clocks?
No pruning is really required
, but if you remove wilted flowers when they appear, this will enhance production of new flowers. Even though it tends to become invasive because four o’clock flower re-sows itself year after year, it is still quite easy to control its growth by pulling out excess plants when they sprout.
Do four o’clocks attract hummingbirds?
Named for the time of day the bloom opens,
four o’clocks will attract hummingbirds
and nocturnal pollinators to your garden. This bushy plant reseeds readily, producing hundreds of large black seeds that resemble hand grenades.
Do 4 O clocks need sun?
Grow four o’clocks in
full sun
in almost any type of soil but they do best in a humus-rich, well-drained spot. Plants can be started from seed sown outdoors after the danger of frost has passed or indoors up to 8 weeks ahead of time. Soaking the seeds in water overnight will speed up germination.
How do you get rid of 4 o clocks?
Mature four o’clock plants have a fleshy potato-like root that helps them to recover from herbicides.
Digging them up is a good technique if you have a small area
. If you decide to go the chemical route, a product that contains glyphosate plus triclopyr will work pretty fast but likely won’t give complete control.
What is eating my four o clocks?
Pesky, Leaf-curling Pests
The leaves of four o’clock plants are a source of food for
aphids, also known as plant lice
. They are small, pear-shaped insects that are often black, brown or green, although they can be other colors.
How do you overwinter 4 o clock?
Overwintering Four O’Clocks in Cold Climates
Brush excess soil off the tubers, but don’t wash them, as they must remain as dry as possible.
Allow the tubers to dry in a warm place for about three weeks. Arrange the tubers in a single layer and turn them every couple of days so they dry evenly.
Can you grow four Oclocks indoors?
Four O’Clocks
may be grown from seed sown early indoors and transplanted outside after frost
, or sown directly in the garden after frost. Sowing Seed Indoors: Sow indoors 6-8 weeks before frost in spring using a seed starting kit. Sow evenly and thinly and cover with 1⁄2 inch of seed starting formula.
What do 4 o’clock tubers look like?
The tubers were
between eight to ten inches long and the brown, tuberous roots resemble woody carrots
. The roots of four o’clock are supposed to get even bigger in warmer climates. Can you imagine? These tubers are the result of one season’s growth in a garden with less than ideal growing conditions.
How do you get seeds from 4 o clocks?
Gathering Four O’Clock Seeds
The seeds are difficult to find once they fall to the ground, so it’s best to pick them just as they turn dark brown and dry out. One way to ensure a good seed harvest is to
cover the flower heads with nylon pantyhose
, which will catch the seeds as they drop without restricting air flow.
How far apart do you plant 4 O clocks?
Plant Four O’clock seeds directly into the garden, just before the last frost in your area. Cover seeds with 1/4′′ of soil. Space plants
12 inches apart and thin to two feet apart
.
Are 4 o’clock plants perennials or annuals?
Hardiness Zones
Four o’clock is
a tender perennial
, meaning that the plant doesn’t tolerate cold weather. Other tender perennials include dahlia, canna lily, impatiens, coleus and tuberous begonia.
Are 4 o’clock flowers invasive?
Four-o’clocks are not considered serious exotic pests, are
not known to invade natural areas
and are options for gardeners interested in colorful, fragrant flowers that attract pollinators. DNR does not promote the use of non-native plants in natural areas, or exotics considered aggressively invasive.)
How long does it take for 4’o clocks to germinate?
They will germinate best between 65 – 75F in just
10 – 14 days
if the flower seeds are kept moist. If directly planting outdoors, Four O’Clock flower seeds should be planted in late spring or early summer.
Do 4 Oclocks attract butterflies?
Blooms open in the late afternoon and evening, hence the common name “four o’clocks.” Highly fragrant in a range of colors,
the four o’clock plant sports attractive flowers that attract butterflies
, bees, and hummingbirds.
Should I soak 4 o’clock seeds?
When growing four o’clock from seed, we recommend
either (or both) a good overnight soak in lukewarm water
, or mechanical stratification by scoring or lightly sanding the seeds to assist in germination.
Are 4 oclock flowers poisonous?
You are right: Japanese beetles love to dine on four o’clocks, and according to several university sources
these plants are poisonous to them
. They are also toxic to people and pets. They can cause vomiting and diarrhea if eaten and the sap can cause dermatitis.
