Mirabilis (multiflora)
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Cheryl Decker Nursery Manager USDI NPS - Zion National Park SR 9 Springdale, Utah 84767-1099 http://www.ggnpa.org |
| Family Scientific Name: | Nyctaginaceae | ||
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| Family Common Name: | Four O'clock Family | ||
| Scientific Name: | Mirabilis multiflora (Torr.) Gray | ||
| Common Name: | Colorado Four o'clock | ||
| Species Code: | MIRMUL | ||
| Ecotype: | Zion National Park, Utah | ||
| General Distribution: | Mirabilis multiflora is found from Oregon and California east through the Great Basin States to Colorado and south to Arizona, New Mexico and Texas. | ||
| Propagation Goal: | plants | ||
| Propagation Method: | seed | ||
| ProductType: | Container (plug) | ||
| Stock Type: | 1 gallon containers | ||
| Time To Grow: | 1 Years | ||
| Target Specifications: | Height: N/A<br> Caliper: N/A<br> Root System: Firm root plug in container. | ||
| Propagule Collection: | Seeds are hand collected from sites within the Park when fruits have fully matured. | ||
| Propagule Processing: | Seeds are stored in sealed containers under refrigeration between 40 and 60 F. | ||
| Pre-Planting Treatments: |
Seeds are scarified with sandpaper prior to sowing. Seeds are naturally stratified outdoors during fall months. Sowing Methods: Seeds are sown in Dyna flats with drainage holes containing a medium of 1.5 parts vermiculite, 1 part sterile sand, 1 part coarse turface, and 2 parts peat moss (v:v:v:v). Trays are watered thoroughly after sowing and are not allowed to dry out completely during stratification and germination. |
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| Growing Area Preparation/ Annual Practices for Perennial Crops: |
Seedlings are grown in a shadehouse from April to October. | ||
| Establishment Phase: |
Transplant emergents at cotyledon stage from germination flats to 1 gallon containers. It is important to transplant at the cotyledon stage as root growth is fast and deformation will occur if delayed beyond this stage of development. We sometimes incorporate 13:13:13 NPK Osmocote time release fertilizer into media. |
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| Active Growth Phase: | Seedlings are hand watered throughout the growing season after they are well established. Throughout the active growth phase, we irrigate when containers are nearly dry as a method of hardening the plants while they are being grown. | ||
| Other Comments: | Watering can be tricky--Mirabilis multiflora is a very drought tolerant plant and does not respond well to excess water. However, when grown in pots, the soil can not be allowed to dry out completely for more than 1/2 day. | ||
Citation:
Decker, Cheryl. 2003. Propagation protocol for production of Container (plug) Mirabilis multiflora (Torr.) Gray plants 1 gallon containers; USDI NPS - Zion National Park Springdale, Utah. In: Native Plant Network. URL: https://NativePlantNetwork.org (accessed 2025/04/21). US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, National Center for Reforestation, Nurseries, and Genetic Resources.
