When Does the Four O'Clock Flower Bloom? Save These Planting Methods

When people mention the four o'clock flower (Mirabilis jalapa), most probably picture a purple jasmine blossom. In fact, although it belongs to the Nyctaginaceae family, it is not a jasmine. Below is an introduction to its information and when it blooms! In addition, friends who like the four o'clock flower can also check out its planting methods.

I. Basic Facts About the Four O'Clock Flower

1. Origin and Alternative Names of the Four O'Clock Flower

The four o'clock flower is a herbaceous plant that can grow to one meter tall. It is also called rouged flower, pink bean flower, supper flower, top scholar flower, clove leaf, bitter clove, wild clove, and so on. In rural areas it is also called cooking flower and bathing flower.

The four o'clock flower is an annual herbaceous plant native to tropical America, and it is now widely cultivated in both temperate and tropical regions. In China, this plant is often grown as an ornamental flower and can frequently be seen in many parks and home courtyards.

2. Appearance of the Four O'Clock Flower

The stem of the four o'clock flower is upright and cylindrical, with multiple branches, each branch or stem having slightly swollen nodes; the leaves are ovate or ovate-triangular with acuminate tips, and both sides of the leaves are free of down; the flowers of the four o'clock flower usually cluster several together at the tips of the branches, in colors of purplish red, red, yellow, white or variegated, and it produces black seeds every year from August to October.

3. Value of the Four O'Clock Flower

In addition to its ornamental value, the roots and leaves of the four o'clock flower can be used as medicine to treat illness. It has quite good effects for clearing heat and detoxifying, promoting blood circulation and regulating menstruation, and nourishing the body; in addition, its fruit can be ground into powder and mixed with water to apply to skin ulcers.

Special note: The four o'clock flower used as Chinese herbal medicine must be used under a doctor's guidance, and you must never pick and use it yourself.

II. When Does the Four O'Clock Flower Generally Bloom?

1. Blooming months: The four o'clock flower is a flower with a relatively long flowering period. Generally, its flowering period can last from June to November.

2. Blooming time of the four o'clock flower: Although the flowering period of the four o'clock flower is long, it does not bloom all day. Generally, it opens around dusk when the sun sets (around five or six in the afternoon), and closes its flowers the next morning.

III. What Are the Planting Methods for the Four O'Clock Flower?

The planting methods for the four o'clock flower are relatively simple, and it is also very easy to manage. You should save the methods introduced below.

1. The suitable sowing time for four o'clock flower seeds is March to May each year. During this period, temperatures rise and sunlight is abundant, making it the best time to sow four o'clock flower seeds. The seeds used for sowing can be mature black seeds picked from adult plants, or they can be purchased from markets or nursery seed companies.

2. The most suitable temperature for four o'clock flower seeds to germinate is between 15°C and 20°C. Because the roots of the four o'clock flower are very deep, it is not suitable to sow and transplant on seedbeds with exposed bottoms. The seeds are best planted in loose, fertile loam or sandy loam with deep soil layers and rich in humus. In addition, in open ground it can be propagated by spring sowing and can also self-sow and propagate.

3. After the seedlings of the four o'clock flower grow three or four leaves, they can be planted out. After transplanting, the seedlings should be shaded to protect them from the sun.

4. Daily management of the four o'clock flower is relatively simple. Spray an appropriate amount of water in the evening on sunny days, and apply a thin fertilizer once or twice in the evening each week. This is more conducive to its normal growth.

5. The four o'clock flower has relatively few pest and disease problems. Basically, as long as you pay attention to maintaining moisture, it will rarely grow aphids.