I'm still waiting on the ones I sowed in January! I re-sowed 2 more containers just about a week ago. I was reading on another forum that it's suggested not to bury the seed; just press down into the surface, so that is what I did this time. We'll see how it goes.
Hope we see some sprouts soon!

Vera

That's one that I can't get to germinate. I've given up...

I have had great results with them last year and this year. I sowed on 2/12 in '06 and on 3/4 this year. Though I had a bunch of them in beds last year only 2 reseeders have appeared so far this year, 2 days ago.

Karen

They might need warmer soil. 4 o'clocks come from somewhere down south (Mexico or south), so they might need to feel more at "home." Mine popped up this week.

They run later. I don't expect mine for a week or two, but we'll see. When they start popping though, they pop like popcorn.

Karen, and anyone who has had success - do you cover them, or just poke them in the dirt?
Do you soak them?
I soaked my second batch 24 hours.

I do hope they come to life! I really like them.
I W/S'ed them last year, but of course I can't remember anything about what I did.

well, I will wait and hope. I hope mine 'pop like popcorn'. lol

thanks for your prompt replies!

ellen

I've never, ever had any trouble getting my 4'oclocks to germinate. i just poke them down in the dirt -- probably no deeper than 1" and more likly about 1/4-1/2". I've never soaked them. If you want them to 'pop' a little sooner, make sure your containers are good and moist, make sure you have plenty of vent holes, set them in the sun and wait for the popcorn!

As they germinate, move them out of direct sun to more sheltered sun until you can get the lids off.

good luck!

I just poked them into the soil, maybe about 1/4 or 1/2 inch down from the surface. I don't nick or soak anything, too much work. I'm slow enough at sowing as it is!

Karen

They seem to respond better to being poked down just a bit rather than tossed. If they are winter sown, I do not soak them. Probably wouldn't hurt to soak if you are direct sowing though.

For the past several years they have volunteered in my front bed.I have tried every year, up until last, to pull them before they flower.Last year I gave up and let them grow to several inches and moved them all to one area.I don't really like them as there dosen't seem to be enought show for the space.Anyhow they usually don't pop up till my spring bulbs are going down, this year that won't be for couple weeks as my tulips have not opened yet.