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Gibsonii Castor Bean
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Posted by carriein z5 NW. IN (My Page) on Thu, Mar 16, 06 at 16:13
| This plant apparently has a tropical like appearance so I chose to post it here!
I know it is toxic. I've never grown it before but it looks intriguing so I thought I'd try it out. I Wintersowed some seeds. My kids are 9 and 11 so I'll have them keep away from it. I do have a small dog.
Do you know this plant? Do you have any advice? |
Follow-Up Postings:
RE: Gibsonii Castor Bean
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| The seeds contain ricin. Pretty easy to cut off the seed pods before something/one eats them. The seeds sprout fast.
I'm trying to get some going this spring. 
... a castor "tree" at San Antonio Botanical Gardens. If your garden is a mass of green, these purple leaves offer great relief. |
RE: Gibsonii Castor Bean
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RE: Gibsonii Castor Bean
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| I can't think of what the advantage would be to "winter sowing" these seeds. You'd have lowered germination due to winter cold and wet, plus the possibility of dead seedlings if there's a late hard frost. Much better to direct sow after the safe planting date or start indoors 3 weeks or so before setting plants out (fast growers don't need a lot of lead time). |
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