10 O’clock Flowers, also called moss rose or sun rose, belong to the Portulacaceae family. They come from South America and are now loved and grown all over the world as annuals or perennials for their bright, beautiful flowers.
These flowers get their nickname because they open in the morning and close up in the evening. They’re tough plants that can handle dry conditions and love sunny spots with good drainage. People enjoy planting them in gardens and pots.
Table of Contents
- Steps to Cultivate 10 O’clock Flowers
- Step 1 – Pick a sunny spot with soil that drains well:
- Step 2 – Plant the seeds after there’s no more frost:
- Step 3 – Add a thin layer of soil over the seeds:
- Step 4 – Water the seeds carefully:
- Step 5 – Keep the soil moist while the seeds germinate:
- Step 6 – Space out the plants:
- Step 7 – Fertilize after the plants are settled in:
- Step 8 – Get rid of dead flowers to keep them blooming:
- Step 9 – Water well but not too often:
- Step 10 – Guard against extreme temperatures:
Steps to Cultivate 10 O’clock Flowers
Step 1 – Pick a sunny spot with soil that drains well:
10 O’clock Flowers love the sun and do best in places where they can get plenty of it. Make sure you choose a part of your garden that gets a lot of sunlight, so the flowers can bloom well.
It’s important not to let the roots sit in water, as they can rot. Look for soil that doesn’t stay soggy.
If your garden tends to hold water, or if it’s very humid where you live, you can make the drainage better by mixing in some compost or sand or by planting in a raised garden bed.
Step 2 – Plant the seeds after there’s no more frost:
10 O’clock Flowers are usually grown from seeds that complete their life cycle in one season. Plant the seeds once the cold weather has passed, usually in the spring when the ground is warm.
Spread the seeds on top of the soil and press them in lightly with your hand. Don’t cover them up with soil, because they need light to sprout.
Water the seeds just enough to keep the soil moist, but be careful not to overwater, as that could cause the seeds to rot.
Step 3 – Add a thin layer of soil over the seeds:
Once you’ve scattered the seeds, put just a thin layer of soil on top. This little bit of soil helps hold moisture for the seeds and gives them the dark environment they need to start growing.
Step 4 – Water the seeds carefully:
After planting the seeds and covering them lightly with soil, water them gently. This helps the seeds begin to grow.
Use a watering can or a hose with a fine spray to avoid disturbing the seeds or soil. Keep the soil moist until the seeds sprout.
Step 5 – Keep the soil moist while the seeds germinate:
After planting and watering the seeds, it’s important to keep the soil moist (but not too wet) until the seeds grow, which should take about 5 to 10 days depending on the weather.
Water as needed to maintain the right level of moisture. Avoid letting the soil dry out or become waterlogged, as this can stop the seeds from sprouting.
Step 6 – Space out the plants:
When the sprouts have a couple of real leaves, thin them out so they’re about 6 inches apart. This gives them enough space to grow without competing with each other.
Remove the extra plants by snipping them at soil level. Keep the ones that look strong and healthy.
Step 7 – Fertilize after the plants are settled in:
Once your 10 O’clock Flowers have a few sets of true leaves, you can start using fertilizer to help them grow bigger and bloom. Choose a balanced fertilizer, like a 20-20-20 mix, and follow what the package says about how much to use and how often. Don’t fertilize too much or the plants might grow lots of leaves but not many flowers.
Step 8 – Get rid of dead flowers to keep them blooming:
10 O’clock Flowers bloom a lot, but you can help them bloom even more by taking off flowers that are done. Just cut off the old flowers at the base of their stem. This makes the plants look better and encourages new flowers to grow.
Step 9 – Water well but not too often:
These flowers don’t need much water. Too much water can harm them. When you water, make sure to give enough water to soak the soil. Let the soil dry out a bit before watering again. This helps the roots grow strong and avoids rot.
Step 10 – Guard against extreme temperatures:
Although 10 O’clock Flowers are tough, they don’t like very hot or very cold temperatures. If the weather gets too extreme, consider using a cover to keep your plants safe, so they can keep growing and flowering well.
