four oclock seeds

Submitted by vringsgarden on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 21:11
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Yall, do not laugh at me when I ask this question Yall know this is my first time at collecting seeds.On four oclocks is the black thing the seed or is the seed inside the black thing?Dont laugh...velvet
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Gloria's picture

4 o'clocks

Submitted by Gloria on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 22:37.

I have a couple of 4 o'clocks this year. I believe the seeds came from Dizzy D..thanks Dizzy.

They are easy to grow from seeds. Hadn't had any of them or seen any since I was a young girl and Mom had some of all colors in her yard. I was showing my oldest brother around my flower beds and he remembered Mom's flowers too. He asked "were's the 4 oclocks?" I was so proud to say "come over this way....I got em."

DizzyDaffodil's picture

Like I said...

Submitted by DizzyDaffodil on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 23:08.

Fun to share!

You're welcome Gloria! I have 2 different pinks, yellow and white this year.

DizzyDaffodil's picture

4 o'clocks

Submitted by DizzyDaffodil on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 22:23.

Velvet, that little round ball is the seed & when it turns black it is ready to harvest. Don't try to take them when they are green. Any seed is much better when fully mature & left to dry on the plant as long as possible. Once it is collected, you will want to let it fully dry in a quiet place, so it doesn't get knocked over. I like to place my seeds in stacked paperplates in the garage. Then after they've dried, I remove any chaff or debris and package them for trade. Be sure you mark which seed is which. Wink

When 4 o'clock seeds are ready, they will almost roll out into your hand. They are also VERY prolific, easy to start from seed, and fun to share.

 

skbeal's picture

The seed is a hard black

Submitted by skbeal on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 22:23.
The seed is a hard black thing. When it's ripe and ready to pick, it will practically fall off the plant. You can shake it and the little seeds will come loose. It's round, hard and black. If you've seen canna seeds, they are similar in size to small black canna seeds only they don't have the smooth surface. If you'd like some 4:00 seeds, I've got gazillions of them. I also have tubers.

Susan,The Assistant Administrator, the Texas Yankee and the Texas Rangerette.

Poppylover's picture

Tubers

Submitted by Poppylover on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 23:15.
Do you treat the tubers just as you would dahlia's? If you save the tubers the plants would be larger next year than they were this year? My first year with 4 o'clocks also!
DizzyDaffodil's picture

re: Tubers

Submitted by DizzyDaffodil on Wed, 08/27/2008 - 23:37.

4 o'clocks are supposed to be hardy to about zone 6 - I am in 5a & have mine planted right next to the house in a sheltered area. They have come back each year - so far... figure it is the residual heat from the house & foundation that keep them coming back. Of course, I also end up with some extras since I generally miss at least a few seeds. LOL!

You can lift the tubers just like you would a dahlia & store approx the same way. The tuber will look like a floppy carrot.

grannyrose's picture

This is

Submitted by grannyrose on Fri, 08/29/2008 - 17:45.

my first year growing 4 O'clocks. I got some from dizzy and a few other members. I planted then late and they are still small. I look forward to seeing them bloom.

Grannyrose

grannyrose - Calendar Team Leader - Zone 9 http://www.gardenhere.com/content/Grannyroses-Trades