TheNaturePlanet

Four - o'clock flower (Mirabilis jalapa) is a perennial herbaceous flower, often cultivated as an annual plant. The height of its plant is usually about 1 meter. Its stems are erect, with many branches, and the nodes are slightly swollen. The leaves are opposite, the leaf blades are ovate or ovate - triangular, with the apex gradually tapering, the base truncate or cordate, the margin entire, both surfaces glabrous, and the veins raised.

The flowers of the four - o'clock flower are highly distinctive. Usually, several flowers cluster at the ends of branches, and the flower shape is trumpet - like. The flower colors are rich and diverse, including purplish - red, yellow, white, or variegated, etc., looking especially gorgeous in the sunlight. Its flowers usually open in the afternoon and close from evening to early morning, emitting a faint fragrance. This unique flowering habit adds a mysterious touch to it. The fruit is black, spherical, with a wrinkled surface, resembling a small landmine, so the four - o'clock flower also has the nickname "landmine flower".

The flowering period of the four - o'clock flower is relatively long, usually lasting from June to October. During the entire flowering period, it can continuously bloom, bringing us a long - lasting visual enjoyment. In a warm, humid, and sunny environment, the quality and quantity of its flowering will be more remarkable. However, it should be noted that the climatic conditions in different regions will have a certain impact on the flowering period. For example, in the warmer southern regions, the flowering period may be a little longer, while in the north, the flowering period may end earlier with the decrease in temperature.

Here are some methods of planting and maintenance of the four - o'clock flower for you.

1. Soil selection: The four - o'clock flower has low requirements for soil, but loose, fertile, and well - drained soil is preferred. You can mix decomposed leaf soil, garden soil, and river sand in a certain proportion to prepare the soil. Such soil can ensure sufficient nutrients and avoid root rot caused by waterlogging.
2. Sowing time and method: The four - o'clock flower is usually sown in March - April in spring. Sow the seeds point by point in the prepared soil and cover them with a thin layer of soil, with a thickness of about 2 - 3 times the diameter of the seeds. Keep the soil moist after sowing, and the seeds will germinate in about a week under suitable temperature (about 15 - 20℃).
3. Light requirements: The four - o'clock flower likes abundant sunlight but can also tolerate semi - shade. In high - temperature summer, appropriate shading can avoid leaf burn. It can be planted in sunny but partially shaded places in the courtyard, or you can choose a position with scattered light on the balcony.
4. Watering management: Keep the soil moist during the growth period. In spring and autumn, water the plant every 2 - 3 days according at the weather conditions. In summer, the temperature is high and water evaporates quickly, so it needs to be watered every day. At the same time, you can spray water around the plant to increase the air humidity. In winter, the plant grows slowly, so reduce the watering frequency and keep the soil slightly dry.
5. Fertilization points: During the vigorous growth period, apply a thin liquid fertilizer every 1 - 2 weeks. The liquid fertilizer can be a decomposed cake fertilizer water or a compound fertilizer solution. During the flower bud differentiation period, apply more phosphorus and potassium fertilizers, such as potassium dihydrogen phosphate solution, which can promote flower bud differentiation and increase the number and color of flowers.