The Four O’Clock Flower plant, scientifically known as Mirabilis jalapa, is a beautiful ornamental plant that is native to tropical South America, but now can be found in many parts of the world. It is called Four O’Clock Flower because its trumpet-shaped flowers usually open in the late afternoon, around four o’clock, and stay open until the next morning. Here’s a detailed about how to grow and care for four o clock plant
Botanical Name -Mirabilis jalapa.
Colors -pink, red, white, and yellow.
Appearance:
The Four O’Clock plant is a perennial plant that can grow up to 3 feet tall. Its leaves are dark green, ovate, and slightly hairy. The plant has a bushy growth habit, and its stems are erect and branching.
Flowers:
The Four O’Clock plant produces trumpet-shaped flowers that are approximately 2 inches in diameter. The flowers come in a variety of colors, including pink, yellow, red, white, and purple. The flowers are also often bi-colored or multi-colored, with stripes or splashes of different colors on the petals.
Blooming time:
The Four O’Clock plant is named for its unique blooming habit – the flowers typically open in the late afternoon or early evening, and remain open throughout the night. The plant blooms from mid-summer to early fall.
Fragrance:
The flowers of the Four O’Clock plant have a sweet, pleasant fragrance that attracts hummingbirds, moths, and other pollinators.
Note :-It is important to note that all parts of the plant, especially the seeds, are toxic if ingested, so it should be kept away from children and pets.
Grow And Care:
The Four O’Clock Flower is a relatively easy plant to care for. Here are some tips on how to take care of it:
Planting:
The Four O’Clock Flower can be grown from seeds or cuttings. If planting from seeds, sow them directly in the soil after the last frost, as they don’t transplant well. If planting from cuttings, take stem cuttings in early summer, and plant them in well-draining soil.
Watering:
The Four O’Clock Flower needs regular watering, especially during dry spells. Water the plant deeply, but don’t let the soil become waterlogged.
Fertilizing:
The Four O’Clock Flower doesn’t require a lot of fertilizer. You can fertilize it once a month during the growing season with a balanced fertilizer.
Pruning:
You can prune the plant to shape it and encourage bushiness. Prune it back in early spring or after the flowering season is over.
Pests and diseases:
The Four O’Clock Flower is generally not susceptible to pests and diseases. However, it can be affected by spider mites, aphids, and powdery mildew. You can use insecticidal soap or neem oil to control pests, and treat powdery mildew with a fungicide.
Overwintering:
In colder climates, the Four O’Clock Flower will die back to the ground in the fall. You can then cut it back and cover the area with mulch to protect the roots. In warmer climates, it may continue to bloom throughout the year.
Overall, the Four O’Clock Flower is a low-maintenance plant that can add beauty and color to your garden or landscape.
Propagation:
The Four O’Clock Flower can be propagated by seeds, cuttings, or root division. Here are the steps to propagate the plant using each method:
- Propagation by seeds: The Four O’Clock Flower produces seeds after flowering. Collect the seeds when the seed pods have dried and turned brown. Sow the seeds directly in the soil after the last frost, or start them indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost. Sow the seeds 1/4 inch deep and keep the soil moist until the seedlings emerge.
- Propagation by cuttings: Take stem cuttings from the plant in early summer. Cut a 6-inch section of stem that is not flowering, remove the bottom leaves, and dip the cut end in rooting hormone. Plant the cutting in well-draining soil and keep it moist. The cutting should root in 2-3 weeks.
- Propagation by root division: Dig up the plant in early spring before new growth appears. Cut the root ball into sections, making sure each section has roots and stems. Plant each section in well-draining soil and keep it moist until new growth appears.
Once the new plants have rooted or started growing, care for them as you would mature Four O’Clock Flower plants. With proper care, the new plants should mature and flower within a few months to a year. Happy Gardening…
