Expert: C.L. Fornari - 7/11/2006

Question
These seed are a named variety that I bought at a local Wal-Mart. If they are sterile,does that mean that they will never bloom out all the way?
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Followup To

Question -
I live in Central Mississippi and have grown four o'clocks for years.I just recently planted some mixed seed.The plants are full of blooms,but the flowers won't open up all the way and they are not producing seed.What is causing this to happen and what can I do about it?I've never had this problem with this plant before,so I'm lost as to what the problem is.  Thanks

Answer -
Linda,
Were the seeds you planted a "named variety" - that is, were they a special hybrid, bred to be certain colors?  If so, it's possible that the flowers are sterile.  If the flowers don't open all the way they can't be pollinated, so that's why no seeds...the question is, are they not opening because that's what the variety you planted do, or are you usuing seeds you've saved from before, in which case why aren't the flowers opening?

How does the foliage look?  Normal?  Growing well?

If you planted seeds saved from before, and they always opened in the past, I'd look for answers in what has been happening around that area - too much rain?  Is the area shadier or sunnier than in the past?  Have you used any herbicides or pre-emergants such as Preen this season?  Anything being applied to a nearby lawn that's different from the past?  If all the flowers aren't opening, that argues for something that is happening at root level, or in the total environment.  

Have you tried looking inside the closed flowers to see if there is an insect inside them?  Sometimes insects "glue" leaves and petals together to make a hiding place.  I'd open a few flowers and see if there are critters inside.

If none of this applies, wait a couple of weeks, water deeply less often (deep soaking less often is better for plants than a little every day) and fertilize with a liquid fertilizer that has fairly balanced numbers (not one of the so-called blossom-booster types) - fertilize after you water so you're never fertilizing a thirsty plant.  Even if you never find out the cause, it's possible that the plants could grow out of it.

I hope this helps - if you need to send more details, feel free to ask follow-up questions with more information.
all the best,
C.L.

Answer
Linda,
It is possible that this variety, bred for a particular color or shape etc, isn't good about opening the flowers.  I would follow the recommendations I gave you before and hope for the best.  If they never open fully, you'll know to avoid this variety in the future!  

have a good summer,
C.L.