purpleinopp said: Is it your time yet, Evelyn? I'm seeing the old tubers putting up foliage here at this time, and a few new volunteer sprouts. I moved a few of the new ones, and then it started raining. Very happy about that.

Hi Tiffany ~ Yes, I have started some recently on a heat mat. It is way too cold outside right now. It is raining, but we are expecting snow later on. I hope these old seeds germinate, as I have many. (It seems as if I am more if a seed collector than a seed starter!)

P. S. Has anyone successfully started old 4 o'clock seeds?

I started some of my own seeds collected fall of 2021 and only about 1/2 of them germinated. I could of picked them too early though, they're sometimes hard to find at the right time before falling to the ground so I tend to force them open to get to the seeds.

Nancy ~ A girls gotta do what a girl's gotta do! (To get those seeds!)

evelyninthegarden said: P. S. Has anyone successfully started old 4 o'clock seeds?

Mine germinate by themselves in spring...

(Packaged seeds)

I tried to get rid of mine but after I dug out all of the tubers they kept coming back from seed for at least four years. Maybe they have staggered germination programmed into them...

Vigorousness.

sedumzz said: Mine germinate by themselves in spring...

In the packages?

Lol, on the ground

I'm seeing buds, should have blooms soon. I've had these plants around for almost 40 yrs but still don't understand them. Last year, it was July before there were any blooms.

I have a handful of volunteer seedlings coming up already

I never had many in previous years, but this spring, there are quite a few. They're frustratingly sensitive to being moved, even if a tiny golf ball size tuber has started. Hoping their fast growth and 100% shade will help me get rid of other sun-loving weeds in some areas. If not, at least I won't be able to see them under there.

What color(s) did you already have? I used to have some with "broken" colors in OH.

I started some 'Broken Colors and they are ready to plant. A lot more aeeds...

Awesome! I look forward to some pics when they are ready.

purpleinopp said: Awesome! I look forward to some pics when they are ready.

Ready or not, they all got planted. 😁

Of course, there are seeds of other varieties.i have not sown or started any others.

I have a love/hate relationship with 4 0'clocks. Many many years ago a plant popped up in my yard and was identified as these. They are the fuchsia colored ones which I love but millions of babies germinate afterwards. Been pulling them out and thrown away.



How do you keep the seeds from dropping and germinating?

they do self seed with a passion. But they are easy to pull or weed wack. I am forever killing weeds, so a few more does not make any difference:)

They are about the most attractive weeds!

My theory is that they are going to crowd and shade out my other weeds, and the hummers LOVE them, so why not just let them do their thing and then I can quit pulling so many actual weeds. The hummers are why I'm gardening anyway, so it seems like a win-win to me, I'm letting the 4'o'clocks & milkweeds duke it out. Those areas are so full of Florida Betony earlier in the year, it's hard to believe it's the same spaces. Who will win? Oh the suspense!