Four O Clocks and Hornworms

JLJ_ · June 12, 2016

I've grown Four O Clocks in the past, and they did OK -- never seemed to come back well, just grew as annuals, though I was growing them in a warmer area than this -- but I was also even more frantically busy then and perhaps they didn't get enough care.

I suspect that they'd grow here as long as I dug the tubers in fall -- and abundant flowering in mid-late summer, especially once I had grown tubers to replant, is attractive -- but I'm somewhat concerned about who all they might attract.

I gather from discussions I've seen concerning them that they vary widely in fragrance. Whether this variation is due to genetic properties of the particular seed/strain planted or to some aspect of growing conditions I don't know. Does anyone?

And . . . if they did produce the delightful fragrance many report . . . how bad are they about attracting pregnant tomato hornworm parents to the area? Anyone noticed?

I've never had a hornworm problem -- but I believe the parent moth is generally listed as living throughout the 48 states as well as in southern Canada and parts of Mexico -- so I don't think I can't count on their not coming here unless they have an aversion to altitude?

And we don't have roadrunners to deal with them. Lots of magpies, which would probably like them, but I'm not sure they're adapted to tomato hornworm hunting.

Tracydr · June 12, 2016

I was thinking it was tobacco ( nicotania) that attracts hornworms.
I bet Remy knows. Maybe send her a message?

PhilaGardener · June 12, 2016

Four O'Clocks are a nectar source for the hornworm moth adult, but I'm not sure I would let that keep me from enjoying them.

Labradors2 · June 12, 2016

Four O'Clocks are supposed to kill Japanese Beetles! Too bad I never remember to plant the seeds early enough......

Linda

Tracydr · June 12, 2016

Quote:

Originally Posted by Labradors2

Four O'Clocks are supposed to kill Japanese Beetles! Too bad I never remember to plant the seeds early enough......

Linda

Okay,planting those next year for sure now!
I must have picked 100 of them off the asparagus this weekend.
Cool though that I got to see an assassin bug kill and eat one!

Worth1 · June 12, 2016

There are a lot of horn worm type worms out there not all of them eat tomato plants.
They have certain things they are attracted to and that is it.

Plus there is the tomato horn worm and the tobacco horn worm both will eat tomato plants but they aren't the same worm.
The moths even look somewhat like each other for many of these worms but they have slight variations to them.

Worth

Lastfling · June 12, 2016

Quote:

Originally Posted by Labradors2

Four O'Clocks are supposed to kill Japanese Beetles! Too bad I never remember to plant the seeds early enough......

Linda

Hmmmm, wonder if the one I saw on my Four O'Clocks this morning had a death wish 😄

MissS · June 13, 2016

Japanese beetles are attracted to Four O'Clocks and eating the plants are fatal to the beetles too. I plant Four O'Clocks up and down my drainage ditch to keep the JP's numbers down. It seems to work pretty darn well.

Moths in general are attracted to flowers with scent. There are many types of Sphinx Moths which the tomato hornworm is only one of them. Not all of them are pests and need to be destroyed. In fact I actually enjoy having most of them around. They are fun to watch hovering through my gardens.

clkeiper · June 15, 2016

Quote:

Originally Posted by MissS

Japanese beetles are attracted to Four O'Clocks and eating the plants are fatal to the beetles too. I plant Four O'Clocks up and down my drainage ditch to keep the JP's numbers down. It seems to work pretty darn well.

I never have heard this. What a treasure trove of information.

MissS · July 6, 2016

Well the Japanese Beetles have arrived in force here this week. I noticed one of my 4 O'Clocks was badly eaten. I looked under it and low and behold a pile of dead JB's. Yes! This is a plant for me.....

clkeiper · July 7, 2016

That is so awesome. I have a linden tree and red raspberries. Those nasty beetles devour everything.. or at least ruin it so I still have to pick and toss the berries. wasteful! ... what a nuisance they are but at least they have abated somewhat.

Worth1 · July 7, 2016

Quote:

Originally Posted by clkeiper

That is so awesome. I have a linden tree and red raspberries. Those nasty beetles devour everything.. or at least ruin it so I still have to pick and toss the berries. wasteful! ... what a nuisance they are but at least they have abated somewhat.

They all went to the sushi bar.

Worth

September 2, 2017

I'm looking for a forum to get info on four o"clocks- can someone direct me? I'm looking for seeds for the multicolor or tie dye ones. Thanks

730dcm · September 3, 2017

You know they flowers are closed pretty much all the time only open in evening night and early morning. I bought the mix pack from rare seeds . Com

MissS · September 3, 2017

The seeds for the multi-colored flowers are available at most garden centers and box stores in the spring.

June 12, 2016	#1
JLJ_ Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Wyoming Posts: 759	Four O Clocks and Hornworms I've grown Four O Clocks in the past, and they did OK -- never seemed to come back well, just grew as annuals, though I was growing them in a warmer area than this -- but I was also even more frantically busy then and perhaps they didn't get enough care. I suspect that they'd grow here as long as I dug the tubers in fall -- and abundant flowering in mid-late summer, especially once I had grown tubers to replant, is attractive -- but I'm somewhat concerned about who all they might attract. I gather from discussions I've seen concerning them that they vary widely in fragrance. Whether this variation is due to genetic properties of the particular seed/strain planted or to some aspect of growing conditions I don't know. Does anyone? And . . . if they did produce the delightful fragrance many report . . . how bad are they about attracting pregnant tomato hornworm parents to the area? Anyone noticed? I've never had a hornworm problem -- but I believe the parent moth is generally listed as living throughout the 48 states as well as in southern Canada and parts of Mexico -- so I don't think I can't count on their not coming here unless they have an aversion to altitude? And we don't have roadrunners to deal with them. Lots of magpies, which would probably like them, but I'm not sure they're adapted to tomato hornworm hunting. Last edited by JLJ_; June 12, 2016 at 09:58 AM.

June 13, 2016	#8
MissS Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Pewaukee, Wisconsin Posts: 3,149	Japanese beetles are attracted to Four O'Clocks and eating the plants are fatal to the beetles too. I plant Four O'Clocks up and down my drainage ditch to keep the JP's numbers down. It seems to work pretty darn well. Moths in general are attracted to flowers with scent. There are many types of Sphinx Moths which the tomato hornworm is only one of them. Not all of them are pests and need to be destroyed. In fact I actually enjoy having most of them around. They are fun to watch hovering through my gardens. __________________ ~ Patti ~

July 6, 2016	#10
MissS Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Pewaukee, Wisconsin Posts: 3,149	Well the Japanese Beetles have arrived in force here this week. I noticed one of my 4 O'Clocks was badly eaten. I looked under it and low and behold a pile of dead JB's. Yes! This is a plant for me..... __________________ ~ Patti ~

July 7, 2016	#11
clkeiper Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: ohio Posts: 4,350	That is so awesome. I have a linden tree and red raspberries. Those nasty beetles devour everything.. or at least ruin it so I still have to pick and toss the berries. wasteful! ... what a nuisance they are but at least they have abated somewhat. __________________ carolyn k

September 3, 2017	#15
MissS Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Pewaukee, Wisconsin Posts: 3,149	The seeds for the multi-colored flowers are available at most garden centers and box stores in the spring. __________________ ~ Patti ~

June 12, 2016	#2
Tracydr Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2011 Location: Laurinburg, North Carolina, zone 7 Posts: 3,207	I was thinking it was tobacco ( nicotania) that attracts hornworms. I bet Remy knows. Maybe send her a message?

June 12, 2016	#3
PhilaGardener Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Near Philadelphia, PA Posts: 1,940	Four O'Clocks are a nectar source for the hornworm moth adult, but I'm not sure I would let that keep me from enjoying them.

June 12, 2016	#4
Labradors2 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Ontario Posts: 3,894	Four O'Clocks are supposed to kill Japanese Beetles! Too bad I never remember to plant the seeds early enough...... Linda

June 12, 2016	#6
Worth1 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Den of Drunken Fools Posts: 38,539	There are a lot of horn worm type worms out there not all of them eat tomato plants. They have certain things they are attracted to and that is it. Plus there is the tomato horn worm and the tobacco horn worm both will eat tomato plants but they aren't the same worm. The moths even look somewhat like each other for many of these worms but they have slight variations to them. Worth

September 2, 2017	#13
JoParrott Guest Posts: n/a	I'm looking for a forum to get info on four o"clocks- can someone direct me? I'm looking for seeds for the multicolor or tie dye ones. Thanks

September 3, 2017	#14
730dcm Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: USA Posts: 28	You know they flowers are closed pretty much all the time only open in evening night and early morning. I bought the mix pack from rare seeds . Com