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I think I'm about to be overrun with Four O'Clocks...

13 years ago

My sister in law gave me five four o'clock seedlings last spring, and I planted them on the side of our house that gets the most sun. They thrived -- became 3 feet tall by mid-summer. They died off on their own around Sept. and I pulled away and discarded the dead branches. I dug up the tubers and stored the in the garage to replant this year.

Well, I don't think I needed to. On and near each spot where the shrubs were, there are about 20-25 new four o'clock seedlings popping up. It's like they just multiplied. Could this be from shed seeds during last summer?

Should I uproot some or let it go?

Thanks,

Megret

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Comments (2)

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
13 years ago
i am jealous..

they do not winter over.. and the cardinals and jays steal all the dropped seed ...

so though you complain ... it bums me out ...

if a few plants covered the area.. how is 100 plants going to be better...

one thing for sure.. dont kill them all.. until you are sure those stored roots are viable ...

so my vote... thin vigorously ... but not all .. and when they are in the 2 or 4 leaf stage.. they transplant easily

one thing for sure.. it probably wasnt worth the effort to dig the others up last fall ...

ken
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prairiemoon2 z6b MA
13 years ago
I love Four OClocks, but I think I read somewhere that it can come back a little too strongly, especially in the warmer climates, not necessarily my zone. So I've done mine in large pots every year and I enjoy them just as much that way without worrying about whether they will become too much work. I collect the seed and start them fresh each year. They produce a LOT of seed and they are nice and large and obvious. They do drop if you don't keep up with collecting them once they start producing seed.
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