Ricinus communis (Castor bean) http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?LHEHW 13 July 2008 Ricinus communis (Castor bean) Red type This plant is grown due to its tropical appearance with the large leaves. This plant is doing well and should become quite large by the end of the season. The beans must be accounted for, since they are deadly. I pick them before they fall from the pod cluster.
While deadly, the beans are beautiful, very intricately marked, and are used to make jewellery in Mexico.
http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?XIXCL 19 August 2008 Ricinus communis (Castor bean) Plant is growing well, and seeds are forming.
Your castor bean is fantastic, Durban! Mine never got so large. Did you start it from seed or a potted plant?
The seed is started in a pot about 15 of March, and put out in the garden about 1 June. My effort is to see how large it will grow. This red one is particularly large this year, usually the green type is larger, but this year I only have the one red type. The saved seeds germinate 100% This is the 2006 effort with the green type. http://www.durgan.org/ShortURL/?YPWYY
We had a green one growing outside our back door in the house we rented in college. At the time we had no idea the seeds etc. were toxic! It got so big...well over 7'.
I think climactic conditions play a major part. I gave one of my seedlings from earlier this year to a friend, and just saw it two days ago. Hers was reasonably shaded, whereas mine are in full sun. She also put hers in a 10 gallon pot directly from the quart pot, and I have mine still in 1-gallons. Hers is 5' now, and mine are maybe 3... She also hardly waters hers, and I water mine every day. ?!?!? Haven't a clue...
