Four O’Clock Seed – Durability

Q: I have seeds for four o’clock flowers that I helped my grandmother harvest 40 years ago. They are still in the little change purse she put them in. Is there any hope of them sprouting now?

A: The skin of a four o’clock seed is famously hard, protecting it from inclement conditions, so yours might still be viable. Moisten a paper towel, wrap the seeds in it, put it in a resealable plastic bag and place the bag in a warm spot. I use the top of my refrigerator because it’s always warm there. If the seeds sprout, each one can be gently transferred to a four inch pot full of potting soil.