Mine don't open until late and they close in the morning before 10:00. Someone on this garden web explained what triggers it years ago, but I forget.

Hey all,
I was reading recently about four o'clocks and found out why. It is not actually the time of day that causes the flowers to open, but the drop in temperature. It didn't specify how much of a drop was needed. It also stated that on cloudy days they tend to stay open longer in the mornings. With it being so hot, mine haven't started to open until 9 p.m. Definitely had to enjoy them in the dark!
BTG

I grow them for the smell and because I can't stop them. They took over a daylily bed and I am going to let them have it. It is a tough spot; four o clocks smother weeds and don't have to be watered.

Thanks, BTG, I was wondering what it was. It seemed like it was 90 degrees as soon as these plants were big enough to have buds. Maybe this will motivate me to get out early with a cup of coffee.

Do they have a nice scent? Having not seen them open I guess I have been missing that. From your post Helen it looks like they must self-seed for you. If they are not too aggressive I wonÂt mind. My snapdragons have been seeding but not so much that it is invasive.

I was reading on another forum that Four OÂClocks are apparently tasty to Japanese Beetles but poisonous to them. They will eat the leaves then die. Anyone with any experience of this? I have lots of JB but have not seen any signs of them eating the Four OÂClocks.

I bought the broken colors, a yellow foliage one, and fuchsia and white from seed exchange. I did not replant. The fancy ones gradually died out the tall fuchsia ones reseed and take care of themselves.

linnea - I read about that on this forum (I think "littleone" posted it here), and i reposted it on the Gardening in Carolinas forum... BUT... I have four oclocks planted all around my Rose of Sharon and two other hibiscus plants and I had (and still have, but not as much now) l00s of beetles a day - They NEVER, NEVER touched the four oclocks and NEVER NEVER stopped eating my other plants. I was so annoyed this morning when I found about 60 or 70 more on my Rose of Sharon and it's the end of July!

I can't believe I have now had tons of Jap Beetles for two months exactly today (since end of May)

Carrie

Sorry - CORRECTION: I think "littleone" posted it on the Wintersowing forum - maybe they work for her - but they don't work for me...

carrie

They are not on my four o clocks. Rose of sharon and wild grape and a weedy vine is all they are eating in my yard so far.