Four o’clock flower: Sowing, planting and harvest calendar
How do you successfully sow your four o’clock flowers under cover?
Start four o’clocks under cover in spring, around six to eight weeks before your region’s usual last frost date. Use identified Mirabilis jalapa seed, which is relatively large with a hard coating. Soaking in water overnight can help germination. Follow the supplier’s guidance and sow promptly afterwards rather than leaving wet seed lying around for several days.
Choose small pots with drainage holes and free draining seed compost. Place one seed in each pot and cover with about 0.5 to 1 cm of compost, unless your seed lot has different instructions. Water gently and maintain moderate moisture without leaving water in a saucer. A temperature around 18 to 21 °C is generally suitable. Emergence depends on seed quality and conditions, so a stated number of days is not a guarantee.
Once seedlings emerge, provide enough light to prevent long, weak stems. Keep them frost free and adjust watering to moisture in the pots. Gradually accustom them to outdoor conditions before planting. Wait until frost risk has passed before moving them to their final position, with spacing appropriate to the variety. Keep seeds separate from food supplies because they are not for eating.
How to sow four o’clock flowers outdoors?
How do you plant four o’clock flowers?
When does the four o’clock flower bloom?
