|
|
Post by andy on Jan 5, 2008 9:45:35 GMT
Anyone grow it ?...has it been banned ?
Really fancy a bash at growing this annual from seed if you can still get them. Would fit in nicely into the exotic garden.
|
|
|
|
Post by Cheerypeabrain on Jan 5, 2008 9:50:31 GMT
Chiltern seed and Nicky's seed both do Caster Oil Plant seed Andy, and T&M I think. They are beautiful plants...unfortunately too big for my garden ;D
(and then there's the fact that they're very poisonous...but a lot of other plants are and we still grow them.)
|
|
|
|
Post by Rosefriend on Jan 5, 2008 10:26:43 GMT
It seems to be having a bit of a "come back" here in the last couple of years - mostly by newbie gardeners. If that means that the seeds are easy to germinate, I haven't a clue but the red leafed variety does look rather nice.
I am amazed that a lot of people do not know that is is very poisonous although it does say it on the seed packets here.
RF
|
|
|
|
Post by andy on Jan 5, 2008 10:35:37 GMT
We used to grow them as "dot plants" in our summer bedding displays in the parks around brighton. They got to about 4' x 4' if i remember correctly.
|
|
|
|
Post by Rosefriend on Jan 5, 2008 10:44:21 GMT
I must admit that if I had the room I would love to do a group of three - all red leaved ...now that would really be impressive wouldn't it.
However single plants still look good - have a go Andy... I bet it would look lovely with the other exotics.
RF
|
|
|
|
Post by jean on Jan 5, 2008 13:49:07 GMT
I grew some a few years ago before they were banned. I have seen them in seed catalogues since though. Its a good plant to grow as an annual as the foliage certainly adds something to a border  On sale here www.packetseeds.com/html/ricinus_communis.html |
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 5, 2008 14:24:48 GMT
They are absolutely spectacular, and I was thinking of growing one of the red ones for the front raised bed this year - I'm surprised they were banned, since there are lots of poisonous plants easily available  ... cheers ... |
|
|
|
Post by beanie on Jan 5, 2008 15:52:50 GMT
i grew ricinus impala last year, it's a super plant, someone gave the tip of not letting the roots fill the pot before i moved them into a bigger one, so as not to slow the growth. seemed to work.
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 5, 2008 16:41:32 GMT
Ooooh, now I can't wait .... I'm seeing it with Cannas ;D ..... wish I had a bigger garden ... cheers ...
|
|
|
|
Post by andy on Jan 5, 2008 17:02:58 GMT
Ooooh, now I can't wait .... I'm seeing it with Cannas ;D ..... I'm seeing it with hardy exotic gingers, tuberous begonias, cannas, tree ferns, japanese bananas, Fatsia, black bamboo and some taller grasses ;D ;D ;D |
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 5, 2008 17:10:50 GMT
Ooooooh Andy, now I really do need a bigger garden ;D ... cheers ...
|
|
|
|
Post by Cheerypeabrain on Jan 5, 2008 20:29:32 GMT
Ooooh, now I can't wait .... I'm seeing it with Cannas ;D ..... I'm seeing it with hardy exotic gingers, tuberous begonias, cannas, tree ferns, japanese bananas, Fatsia, black bamboo and some taller grasses ;D ;D ;D DON'T GET ME STARTED!!  |
|
|
|
Post by Rosefriend on Jan 5, 2008 20:36:54 GMT
I'm seeing it with hardy exotic gingers, tuberous begonias, cannas, tree ferns, japanese bananas, Fatsia, black bamboo and some taller grasses ;D ;D ;D phew....and I thought you were nice........big big sigh!!!!!!!!!!! RF |
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Jan 6, 2008 14:01:40 GMT
Naughty, Andy ;D What about us all doing a Ricinus trial, then? ... cheers ...
|
|
|
|
Post by chickadeedeedee on Jan 6, 2008 20:10:43 GMT
PLEASE don't grow it if you have small children or pets. The whole thing is poisinous but mostly in the seed. It contains a toxin, ricin, which is one of the deadliest toxins on the planet. Even the tiniest fraction of an amount will kill a horse!  |
|
|
|
Post by Cheerypeabrain on Jun 14, 2008 6:49:50 GMT
I have only gone and bought one....New Zealand Black ;D I was just wondering, if it's so poisonous, can you compost the plant? especially if you're going to use the compost in the veg patch?  I intend to nip off th flowers before they set seed...have planted it in the centre of the flower bed ;D |
|
|
|
Post by jean on Jun 15, 2008 20:40:45 GMT
Lol CPB, I've got a few in pots in the GH too. I've seen them grown in bedding displays but I'm not quite sure where to plant them out. I've grown them before and they can reach quite a height - no children, pets or horses in the vicinty  |
|
... cheers ...
