Question
Hi Tom,
How do I divide huge Four O'Clock tubers? Can I just cut them with a knife into several smaller pieces? My tubers weigh approximately 2 - 3 lbs each & are misshapen looking nothing like the smaller carrot shaped ones. Also as I was lifting them I accidently sliced through a couple of them. Will they be alright? Thank you for your time.

Answer
Hi Lana,
Thanx for your question.  When dividing four o'clock tubers (Mirabilis jalapa), cut the tuber in sections that have a growing "eye" on them (like potatoes).  A section with no growing point (eye) will not grow.  It sounds like your tubers are old which is fine.  The younger ones tend to look more like carrots.  If you accidentally slice through a couple of tubers you might want to dust the wounds with a horticultural fungicide.  Or, if there are eyes on both sides of the cut, just divide the tuber.  I hope this helps.
Tom