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Mirabilis jalapa [ mih - RAB - ih - liss , ha - lick - a ] is one of the most widely grown metal money of the family line Nyctaginaceae .
By the agency , theBougainvillea treeis also in the Nyctaginaceae family .
The works is native to Peru , also educate in Myanmar and tropical area in America .
It run low by several coarse names including :
Mirabilis Jalapa Care
Size & Growth
Miracle Flower of Peru is a tender , and shaggy-haired repeated plant featuring an erect stem and grows up to 2′ – 3′ feet in height .
Since it is a tight - growing flora , it quickly originate to maturity .
The dark-green - colourize , ovate leaves have pointed ends and spring up up to 4 ” inches in length .
In line to its small size of it , the roots of the Four O’Clock Flower are tenacious ( a invertebrate foot or more ) and very heavy ( they can count up to 40 pounds ) .
Flowering and Fragrance
The efflorescence ’s bloom time is from other or mid - summer to decrease is the most distinctive feature of this plant life .
They issue forth in a variety of striking colors , such as crimson , yellow , white flower , magenta , and pink flowers .
But , what ’s more , interesting is many times , a unmarried plant can bring forth flower in dissimilar colors .
In rarified case , the plant can produce bi - non-white flower .
Another distinct feature of speech , unlike most works , its heyday exposed in the late afternoon or sometimes at dusk and only last till the next morning .
It is this interesting plant feature that give advance to one of its vulgar names – the 4 o’clock flower .
This flowering plant life has tubular flowers or funnel shape - shaped fragrant flowers , but just like the flowering pattern , the fragrance can vary .
Sometimes , the flush of the marvel of Peru plant have a sweet and strong smell , but at times , they do not have any noticeable sweetness .
Due to their bright colors , the flowers draw in butterflies and hummingbird so it makes for a big pollinator .
Also cross-pollinate by long - tongued moth , such as the sphinx moths or hawk moths and other nocturnal pollinators attracted by the bouquet .
Light & Temperature
The 4 O’Clock Flower can grow in full sun as well as part shade .
Although the plant species is winter hardy , it thrives in strong weather .
Mirabilis jalapa is mature as an yearbook in USDA hardiness geographical zone 7 – 10 .
Watering and Feeding
Once established , Miracle Flower of Peru plant do not have any special watering or feeding necessity .
They can easily mature in any rich potting compost with even watering .
However , when the tubers are plant , water them with about an inch of water and preserve the dirt wet for the first duad of week .
After the two weeks , reduce the tearing to once a week .
An inch of pee , once a week , is enough to keep the plant hydrated in the grow time of year .
Soil & Transplanting
Mirabilis can easily digest unlike type of garden soil . However , the soil want to be well - enfeeble and stay consistently moist .
Mulch around the plant to keep the soil moist and the industrial plant blooming .
Grooming and Maintenance
4 O’Clock Flower is a downhearted - upkeep plant and does not need regular trimming or pruning .
However , since its stems are brittle and fallible , they may need to be defend to prevent breakage .
How to Propagate Marvel of Peru
Propagation is carry out through cum and roots .
When using four o’clock ejaculate and sowing directly in the reason around the first frost , wait for the end of the freeze season .
Sow seed indoors for about 6 to 8 weeks prior to the end of the frost season and transplant them to the ground when the last frost engagement has transcend .
When using antecedent , comprehend the tuberous roots in fall and stored them in a circumstantially moist sensitive in a dry and cool street corner of the service department or basement throughout the winter season .
constitute the roots after the last of winter . This assure better flowering .
No matter what method acting of propagation you apply , verify the planting location receive 4 to 6 hours of full sun daily .
Under optimum conditions , the plant can self - seed .
The seeds germinate speedily at a temperature of 64 ° degrees Fahrenheit ( 18 ° 100 ) .
Four O’ Clock Flower Pest or Diseases
4 o’clocks are not susceptible to any serious pests or diseases .
However , aphids can attack during the summer months . Spray plant with a blast of water to dispatch the aphid . Ifthe pestilence still existuse an insecticide . We like Neem vegetable oil anatural insect powder for plants .
More on – > Natural Aphid Control
Miracle Flower of Peru Uses
Mirabilis jalapa plant has traditionally been used for address a variety of health trouble .
Apart from the medicative uses , the marvel of Peru is widely cultivated for ornamental purposes and known as an aphrodisiac .
Its colorful peak bring clamant beauty to garden and parks .
