Ask-a-Dave's-Gardener: Four O'clock tubers not growing!, 4 by Gitagal

Gitagal wrote:
tx_flower_child--

Since you are asking me--I can just tell you what i would do---OK?

I don't think it is worth the time and effort to dig up the old tubers.
Instead--IF you like those 4's so much--I would go gather some seeds
and grow new plants from them.
I can vouch from experience that a seed-grown 4'Oclock will attain a
massive size in just one season. About 3' x 3'.
Here--in Baltimore--the seeds start ripening in late September to -October.

Now--you and I are in different zones. Mine is 7a--yours must be 8 or 9?
SO--I would start your seeds either earlier--indoors--or just drop the seeds
where you want them to grow around October.
4's drop a load of seeds every season. If it is growing in decent soil,
those seeds will sprout all over--even in your lawn.

OK! Now to get back to your questions--but I think I already answered some of them.

1--Start with seeds....

2--As I said--i would not bother transplanting the old tubers.

3--IF you are set on digging up and transplanting the tubers--yes! I would do it
when the plant has stopped blooming and is going dormant.
PS--I have read that if you let a 4's plant grow again and again over the years--
it will be impossible to dig it up and transplant it. Just look how big the roots
I showed you got in just one--and in two years. I would Google it and read up on this.

4--As I said--I would plant them from seed-the plant will be "fresher" that way.
As long as your 4 gets some sun, I don't think it matters. They will grow anywhere.
I would put the 4-O'clock in the category of a "garbage plant"...like a Morning Glory..
>b>Invasive....one has to spend lots and lots of time puling up the seedlings from everywhere.

The "4" I have grown has always been the "Broken Colors". The blooms come out every
which color--or a mix of colors. That what makes this one interesting, Google this one!

Here are some pictures of mine--several years ago....like, 207--2009.

Pic. #3 shows just TWO 4'Oclocks grown from seed. See!! You will have
a large plant in just one season. Note the asst. color changes from the same plant.


Pic. #4 shows where the seed sits when it is ripe. If you do not collect it--
it will just roll of and fall to the ground. MORE seedlings next year!

Gita