How to plant Four O'clocks
Core content of this article: experiences with the herbaceous flower Four O'clocks, how to plant Four O'clocks, if there are any mistakes, please correct them!
Four O'clocks are very common flowers. Some gardening enthusiasts want to plant them but don't know how. Since Four O'clocks seeds are easy to collect, they are usually planted by sowing. Let's take a detailed look at the planting methods of Four O'clocks.
In this article, we follow the sequence of Four O'clocks planting, including habits, fertilizing, pruning, etc.
If collecting seeds yourself, choose seeds that are black and not soft to the touch. After harvesting, store them in a shaded and well-ventilated place. Sow in late April or early May of the following year. They can be sown in the open field, with an optimal germination temperature of 14°C to 22°C, and they can germinate in 6 to 8 days. Since they have deep roots, it is not suitable to transplant them after sowing in seedbeds.
It should be noted that Four O'clocks are wind-pollinated flowers, and different varieties easily hybridize, resulting in the phenomenon of one flower having multiple colors. If you want to maintain the characteristics of a variety, you should isolate the cultivation.
Four O'clocks prefer warm and humid conditions, are not cold-resistant, and fear frost. They wither after frost, and the above-ground parts die in winter. In the Jiangnan region, the underground parts can safely overwinter and become perennial herbs. New plants can grow in the spring. Four O'clocks like sunlight and grow poorly in shaded areas or under large trees, resulting in thin and small plants, no flowers, or small flowers with faint fragrance. Four O'clocks thrive on fertilizer, and sufficient fertilizer can make the plants grow vigorously, with more and larger flowers and a rich fragrance.
After sowing Four O'clocks, the cultivation soil should be kept moist to facilitate seed germination and growth. During the seedling stage, watering should also be strengthened, ensuring thorough watering each time, preferably in the early morning or evening. It is not suitable to water at noon when the sunlight is strong and the temperature is high. The flowering period of Four O'clocks coincides with summer. If there is a lack of water at this time, it will not only affect flowering but also cause the leaves to wilt easily. Therefore, it is advisable to water thoroughly every 1 to 2 days. After rain, accumulated water should be drained promptly to prevent root rot.
Although Four O'clocks are herbaceous flowers, pruning is also very important. Neglecting pruning can cause the plants to grow wildly, which not only affects the ornamental effect but also makes them prone to lodging. Pruning Four O'clocks involves controlling their growth by regularly pinching the tips to prevent them from growing too tall. The branches that have been pinched are shorter and sturdier, with more and larger flowers. Additionally, thinning the branches is necessary to avoid a cluttered plant shape that is not conducive to viewing and is susceptible to diseases and pests. Thinning dense branches during cultivation allows the plants to have good ventilation and light, resulting in a beautiful plant shape.
The comprehensive knowledge on how to plant Four O'clocks shared above is hoped to be helpful to you.