How to plant four-o'clock seeds
Comprehensive introduction on how to plant four-o'clock seeds and the related guide on growing four-o'clock flowers, let's take a look together!
Four-o'clock is an annual herbaceous plant of the Nyctaginaceae family, also known as red mallow, powderpuff, evening primrose, scholar's flower, clove leaf, and bitter clove, among other names. It is commonly cultivated in various parts of China, both as an ornamental flower and planted in gardens and pots. Four-o'clock flowers come in pink, yellow, white, or with striped and spotted varieties, and the seeds resemble "black grenades."
Four-o'clock is native to the tropical Americas and prefers a mild and humid climate, being intolerant of cold. The aerial parts die in winter, while the underground parts can safely overwinter in the Jiangnan region, becoming a perennial herbaceous flower that sprouts new plants in the following spring. For outdoor cultivation, it requires deep, loose, and fertile loamy soil, while for potted plants, general flowering potting soil can be used. It grows better in slightly shaded areas. The flowers open from dusk to dawn and close under strong sunlight. With tree shade in summer, it grows and blooms well, but under extreme heat, it may exhibit leaf shedding. It thrives in well-ventilated environments and has a mosquito-repelling effect in summer. It can resist sulfur dioxide, and the flowering period is from June to October.
I. Propagation methods of four-o'clock:
The main propagation method for four-o'clock is by seeding, usually carried out from March to April each year. It can be done through seedling transplantation or direct sowing in the garden. If sowing in a greenhouse or in a warm indoor area using pots, it can be done as early as February. Common sowing methods include row sowing, furrow broadcasting, or bed surface broadcasting. After sowing, cover the seeds with soil so they are not visible, then use straw or plastic film to keep the soil moist. The daytime temperature should be around 21°C, and the nighttime temperature should not fall below 17°C. Generally, germination occurs within 7 days. Four-o'clock can be transplanted after it has 2 to 4 true leaves.
II. Transplanting: Four-o'clock can be transplanted after it has 2 to 4 true leaves. It can be planted in flower pots or around the courtyard. If planted in a continuous area, the spacing between plants should be 50 to 80 centimeters to avoid excessive density, which may affect ventilation and lead to severe powdery mildew later on. If direct sowing in pots or the courtyard, thinning can be done slightly after the seedlings emerge. If different colored varieties are planted close to each other, after one flowering season, the color of the seeds from the second year's planting may change. To maintain pure flower color characteristics, they should be planted separately.
III. Water and fertilizer management: This is relatively simple. After transplanting young seedlings, they should be watered frequently to keep the soil moist. During the growing period, it does not require excessive water. If excessive watering occurs, it can lead to yellowing and leaf shedding. Watering should be done thoroughly, which is beneficial for root growth. Pay attention to timely fertilization, using diluted decomposed human waste, decomposed cake fertilizer, etc., as topdressings. Dry cow or pig manure mixed with cake fertilizer powder and a small amount of ammonium sulfate or urea can be scattered in the rows for weeding and soil mixing. During the dry season in the summer flowering period, timely watering is necessary to avoid leaf shedding, and frequent fertilization can extend the flowering period.
IV. Daily management: Regularly cultivate the soil to remove weeds, keep the soil loose, reduce moisture evaporation, and promote air circulation, which is essential for the rapid and robust growth of four-o'clock seedlings.
V. Seed harvesting: The flowers bloom from June to October, and the black seeds, resembling "small grenades," mature in September to October. As the seeds turn black and mature, they can be harvested in a timely manner, dried in a well-ventilated area, and cleaned before being bagged and stored to prevent mildew and insect infestation.
The above introduction on how to plant four-o'clock seeds and the guide on growing methods hope to provide you with help. Don't forget to check out more flower cultivation experience and knowledge!