Castor Beans

Anyone growing Castor Bean plants this year? I found a pack of "Impala" seeds and started them indoors. The first batch rotted. The second batch I started in a damp paper towel in a sealed baggie. When they sprouted, I transplanted the two seeds into pots. They have now sprouted and are approx. 5 in. high. I have grown Castor Beans before (variety unknown) and never had such a hard time getting them to germinate. Granted, the ones planted directly outdoors usually germinate trouble-free but this year I was busy getting their growing area built and ready.

Has anyone here tried the "Impala" variety? These were the only Castor Beans I have found in all the usual stores that sell seeds.

Would you like some more? I ordered an assortment on ebay and have extras. They are not individually labeled and there are approx 7 different kinds/sizes/colors. I nick and soak mine overnight and have sprouts within a couple days. Email me and I can send you some if you like.

I have soaked mine, gotten them to sprout in the plastic bag and now am waiting for them to pop up out of their pots. Tap tap tap. Mine are a red variety, carmancetia, that I got from another DGer. I just love them but may have over extended, not thinking I soaked and sprouted them all and now I have about 64 pots!!!!!!!! What was I thinking???

I just love them and they are a conversation starter for sure.

Joy

WHOA! 64???!!!...LOL
I did 12 last year and said I'd do less this year but did 12 again due to the variety I received.
We'll have to remember to post pics!
Barbara

Barbara/Chocolatemoose, I didn't even know there were that many different varieties. The last time I grew them was about 5 years ago from very old saved seeds. They didn't grow as tall so I tossed the rest of the seeds thinking they were probably past their prime. I have a small backyard so the most I can plant w/o shading out the entire yard is about 2 plants. I'm hoping the two that finally germinated will grow well for me. They are out being hardened off now.



Joy, I think Carmencita may have been the ones I grew also. Mine were red/burgundy and very tall. We removed a pine tree this year and lost the shade that it provided on the patio so I thought maybe a couple of castor beans would give us some shade. The two that germinated look kinda leggy but maybe they'll right themselves once they're in the ground.

Oh yeah, 64 POTS!!!!!

I know!!! What was I thinking! Will share with friends and have a shade garden for sure this year. They are slow at breaking ground though. So maybe I won't have so many to plant. :'(

Don't worry Joyous, with 64 pots, when they start going it's gonna be like popcorn! Get yourself a Panama hat and a machete!!!

I am growing them for the first time this year. I have a dark purple heirloom variety from a swap. Although I soaked them, they took a while to take off. They seem to like the hot weather. I can't wait until they get bigger.

I got good germination, so I shared a couple with my gardening neighbors. They are a novelty around here. None of us has grown them before.

GardenQuilts, if you've never grown them before, you're in for a nice surprise. It's hard to believe that a little seed can produce such a giant plant in one season. They really give your garden a tropical feel.

My castors have rooted into their new spot and seem to be growing well so far. Our weather started out weird this year so I wonder if they will reach their full potential this summer.

Here's a pic of them, they're the two in the back.

I started caster bean seeds inside and in the garden. Mine are about the size of the above and I just saw sprouts coming up from what I spread out a couple weeks ago. I love them.
Marie

Mine are small, but it will be fun to see how big they get. I gave one to my gardening friend, Tallulah, whose grandma is my neighbor and friend.

My castor beans approx. 2 months since last pic.