Transplanting Four O’clock Plants: Vital Strategies for You

Transplanting four o’clock plants requires extra attention when you are taking them to a new space. When transplanting the Mirabilis jalapa or o’clock plant, you should select a sunny or partially shaded location with well-drained soil. It is good to put compost or manure in the soil where you want to place your Mirabilis jalapa plant.

See more detail in this article as we give you a step-by-step guide on growing tips on how to transplant this variety.

How to Transplant Four O’clock Plants? Remarkable Nuggets

To transplant four o’clock plants you must first choose the area, prepare the soil and dig up the plant. Thereafter plant the plant, water it and mulch it. The flowers of the mirabilis plant tend to bloom around 4 p.m., which answers “Why is it called 4 o’clock plant?”

1. Choose the Area for Transplanting

Choosing the space for transplanting four o’clock plants is an essential step that you should take. You should find a place that meets the appropriate growing conditions for your o’clock plant. Four o’clock plant requires well-draining soil, full to partial sunlight, and sufficient space to grow and spread as highlighted earlier.

You should also consider the size of the plant and how much room it needs to grow prior to transplanting it. Four o’clock plants can grow up to two or three feet tall and approximately one foot wide, so, ensure your place is spacious enough. You also need to ensure it is not too close to other plants, as this can interfere with their growth.

It is recommended that you make sure that there is a distance of at least 12 inches between each plant. Please note that these plants grow best in moderate temperatures. Therefore, you should ensure that the area you choose has temperatures that are not too extreme. If you stay in a cooler climate, plant them in a spot that receives full sun.

2. Prepare Your Soil

You should identify an area with well-draining soil and some shade. Use a garden fork to loosen the soil where you are going to plant your four o’clock . This is of paramount importance as it helps to boost aeration while also mixing the compost. Usually, it is easier to transplant your plants right after a good rain when the soil is moist.

Dig a wide dip hole and ensure that the root ball of your plant will fit in. The root ball should sit about an inch below the soil surface.

The best time to transplant o’clock plants is in spring. You can take your four o’clock plants in containers and grow them in other pots if you don’t prefer planting them directly on the ground. You should make sure that the new pots contain soil that is rich in humus because these plants perform well if your soil contains good nutrients.

3. Dig Up the Plant

Digging up the plant is the next step after preparing the soil. You may need a hand trowel, spade, or fork to extract the plant without damaging it. You should carefully lift the plant by inserting the tool of choice into the soil under the root ball and easing the plant out.

If it is necessary to pull the plant out, support the main stem with one hand and ease it gently upward with the other. You should avoid holding the plant by its fragile stems. Remove the root ball of the plant but take extra care to avoid its damage. However, four o’clock tubers are the ones that are used for transplanting.

If the root ball of your plant is damaged, your plants might become more prone to infections and water uptake after transplanting might become relatively inefficient. Both results will negatively affect your plant’s ability to fight transplant shock and recover.

4. Plant the Four O’clock

After uplifting the plants from their original position, it’s time to introduce them to their new location. Start by holding the plant in its hole, then backfill the fresh soil around the plant’s roots. Tamp the soil in with your fingers to remove any air pockets.

You should apply water to the plants you have transplanted but don’t create waterlogged conditions. Your soil might need fertilizing to supply some nutrients to the newly growing plants during the first few weeks after the move. To aid the production of early flowers, sprinkle one tablespoonful of balanced fertilizer, such as 10-10-10 into the soil around each transplant.

After transplanting, you will notice new leaves and stems after a couple of days. Your plants will show a bushy appearance and produce some flowers over time. When it is receiving the light it requires, the four o’clock plant showcases a more vibrant and healthy appearance. Your cats and dogs should keep away from the plants because available information renders the o’clock seed and four o’clock flowers poisonous.

5. Water the Plant

The plant will need adequate moisture after transplanting. Watering generously promotes root growth and establishes your plants’ health. Quench the thirst of your plant immediately after planting and keep the plant lightly moist for the first two to three weeks until it establishes itself, after which you can reduce the watering frequency.

Be sure to water deeply and evenly over the root ball and the nearby soil. Make sure the soil is moist without being waterlogged, as this can lead to root rot. If you’re not sure when to water, insert your finger into the soil around the plant base to feel how moist it is. If it feels dry to the touch, it’s time to water your plants.

Cutting back four o’clocks is done when you want to obtain a somewhat characteristic shape of your plants. You can do this to four o’clocks in containers or after several months following transplanting your plants to a new space. You can also prune the plant to remove the dead leaves or encourage flowering.

6. Mulch the Area

Mulching the area after planting your Hibiscus plant helps to retain moisture and can improve soil quality. Adding a layer of mulch, such as organic matter or dead leaves around the base of your plant, can help to control weed growth. Mulch can also help to maintain ground temperature, thereby making the growing environment healthier.

Avoid placing the mulch too deep around the roots of your plants. In fact, half-an-inch to an inch of mulch near the plant is adequate. When placing the mulch, make it appear like a doughnut around the base with a center of bare soil. The circular ring created should be a few inches away from the plant stem to prevent excessive moisture that might cause rotting.

For the best effect, use the same mulching material you used in the soil. Once you have completed mulching, you should always inspect your plant for any excess water since excessive mulching tends to retain too much water. Too much moisture can prevent the air from getting to the roots of your plant, and this may be a threat to its growth and ultimate survival.

Frequently Asked Questions

– How Can Four O’clock Plants Be Grown From Seed?

Four o’clock plants can be grown for seed by sowing the seeds of four o’clock plants directly in the soil in your garden or pots. Make sure you soak the o’clock seed in water in order to achieve optimum germination.

It’s also possible to sow seeds within six to eight weeks before the anticipated last frost date in your region. Be sure to sow them in a seed-starting mixture at a depth of about 1/4 inch, close to a source of light. Keep sufficient moisture as you wait for the seeds to germinate, but keep in mind that waterlogged conditions will cause diseases and may lead to decay of the seeds.

In warmer zones, there is a considerable chance that if your plants drop to the ground in autumn, they will eventually self-seed in the garden. If you want, you can pull, remove, or relocate those seedlings to other areas. So, if the question “Do four o’clocks reseed themselves?” was ringing in your head, this information in this section has just answered you.

– How to Induce Blooming in Four O’clock Plants?

To induce blooming in four o’clock plants  you should expose them to sufficient sunlight. This will let flowers bloom at a more rapid rate than expected. However, too much heat may be the cause if your plant doesn’t appear to be blooming at all.

Four o’clock usually blooms approximately at 4 p.m., so, if it is hot, they might postpone their bloom till further into the evening. Sometimes you might not see it but your plant could still bloom during the night. A very nutrient-deficient soil might also lead to limited blooms. Make sure that the soil has sufficient phosphate to support flowering by having a soil test done. All this information also applies to transplanted four o’clock plants.

– What Causes Curling Leaves in Four O’clock Plants?

The causes of curling leaves in four o’clock plants are poor conditions that can lead to some typical problems. Curled leaves on a plant can be brought on by diseases and pests. For example, aphids suck the sap from the leaves, so they cause leaves to curl at the corners.

Conclusion

Four o’clock plants can be transplanted using simple steps and this is best done in spring. Take a quick review of some vital points below:

• When you choose the location to place your transplanted plants, select an area where there is enough sunlight, well-drained soil, and be sure to add compost or manure.
• When you are digging up your plants in order to put them in a new location, be cautious not to hold the fleshy stems or damage the root ball.
• You should water your plants immediately after you have transplanted them, but avoid keeping the soil soggy, otherwise, root rot may occur.
• Mulching is essential once you have transplanted because it controls weeds and also conserves soil moisture.

With regard to how to store four o’clock seeds, be sure to keep them in a dark place, away from the reach of your pets. Use the information that you learned from this article to transplant your plants today and enjoy the process!