Tuesday, September 23, 2014

The Ricin Report

I almost called this post "the come back kid" but then decided to go with something a little more scandalous, or at least to try. So back towards the end of July when I declared the castor bean pictured below my weekly "fav" plant I was pretty sure it was going to be the reigning champion for size this growing season.

But ever since it bloomed (and look seed pods!) it's slown down.

Where as this guy, who was under 10" then, has exploded and seems determined to reach the top of the fence and beyond. Right now he's almost 5ft tall, in just 2 months time he's grown that much!

And that trunk, it's beefy, over an inch wide. It should be noted this monster is from seedlings given to me by Alison last spring. Alison your offspring is amazing, thank you!

It's especially wonderful that the foliage is in a place I can see it up close.

The three plants out in the front garden haven't grown much at all since the July post.

Back then several people said increased water would do the trick, along with heat. The heat we've had and the watering has stayed pretty consistent between them all, in other words it alone shouldn't account for the growth spurt on the comeback kid.

As you can see these two seedlings haven't grown more than a couple of inches.

What's the difference? I'm going with Heather's theory that they grow to fill the space available to them. The one in the back garden had nothing encumbering it's march up and out, where as the ones out front had to contend with neighbors nearby. Whatever the reason I'm thrilled at this beefy Ricinus communis in my garden...

All material © 2009-2014 by Loree Bohl for danger garden. Unauthorized reproduction prohibited and just plain rude.

31 comments:

  1. Wow, this is a stunner. If you have any spare seeds, I'd love some. I have just the spot for it.

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  2. They're pretty plants (even if they do have a dark side). I'll have to try planting some next year. When did you put your seeds in?

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    1. None of mine were seeds, I got seedlings about 5" tall from Allison and bought a couple of taller plants at a sale in May.

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  3. Mine from Alison started out with a growth spurt, but despite no issue with surrounding space, it never thickened up or got really tall. It's about 3 feet and I do love how it looks in my barrel planter with some trailing rosemary at its feet.

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    1. And that's all that matters Jane! (that you love how it looks)

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  4. Nice timing -- I posted about my castor bean today too. :)

    I think water and heat are important, but also to plant the seed directly in the ground, or at least ensure that your pot-started plants do not become root bound, even a little. I may do more experimenting next year to see how to avoid the "my potted castor bean won't grow" problem. Interesting that transplanting doesn't seem to cause them problems.

    My experience is that competition doesn't matter: my biggest castor bean plant is in the middle of a jam-packed perennial bed that also has been taken over by plumbago.

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  5. Also, it's funny to hear you use the word "monster" to describe this. Ah, the difference that climate makes. :)

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    1. I've seen many larger castor beans around town, however in my history of growing them (remember I am a self declared failure) this one IS a monster.

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  6. At least one did perform as you'd expect a ricin to be. Great looking plant the one at the back :)

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  7. Hooray for the comeback kid! Such a handsome plant! I got a couple from Alison as well but think I put them outside too soon as they never really hit their stride.

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    1. I was worried that I had done that too, I don't know what got into this one.

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  8. WooHoo! It's strange how differently they act, it's so hard to know what did the trick. But I'm thrilled that one of those ugly ducklings turned into a lovely swan. I've seen huge ones, ten feet tall or more, in other gardens this year, and can't help wondering what did that. None of mine have gotten that big, and I sowed three different varieties. And look at all those lovely seedpods! I hope they self-sow for you like crazy!

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    1. Me too, thank god Lila isn't interested in plants/seedlings.

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  9. Aren't these fun plants to grow?! I love them, haven't grown them in a few years but now I'm feeling inspired. 'Zanzibarensis' (gigantic plants, huge green leaves) and 'Impala' (somewhat smaller, subtly dark coloration, with bright red fruits) were my favorites. Too bad I'll have to wait until next spring...

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    1. Maybe it will be an early spring? You deserve an easy winter after last year...

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  10. Foliage looks fabulous! I noticed the green one here below the park that I see on dog walks has been hammered with Round-up, which is okay. Here, its a weed. Where you are, it's a gorgeous ornamental. Location, location.

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    1. Weed indeed, I've seen how they can take over in. Southern California!

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  11. I love Ricinus. I've tried to grow them from seeds a couple of times but had no succes. I´ll have to try again. Could the difference in growth have to do with different soils or soil depth, or something like that?
    How great is that Alison gave you all so many ricinus to enjoy :)

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    1. It sure could, I just wonder why this one sat still for so long before taking off.

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  12. Agree that root/space competition isn't the reason, and that growing in place from seed is your best option, especially if you wait to sow until the soil has warmed up. Berkeley/Oakland hills isn't ideal jamming hot/humid/moist summers either, but they often are perennial here, and I've had them get 18 feet tall by the 2nd/3rd year. It's interesting to hear your enthusiasm for the plant, most people rarely plant them around here.

    But once they've become well branched trees, they lose those extra extra large leaves, and become a bit more ordinary. Best enjoyed in a client's garden IMO, as I've too little full sun to grow them well, and prefer other semi-weedy giants like Bartlettina sordidum, Montanoa grandiflora, Polymnia maculata, Dahlia imperialis and other similar winter blooming giants. These definitely enjoy the cooler, foggy summers, and never sulk.

    Enjoy yours to the end of the season, and I hear you've gotten some rain. We just got our first .2" last week, sure felt good!

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    1. Recently visited your part of the world and I have to say I don't remember seeing a single castor bean.

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  13. They look great! There are a lot of them in the garden at work here.

    I can see the blue in the rocks around the agave! It echoes the bluish purple tones in the shine off the Ricinus as well as the bluish shine from the metal and even the darker rocks around the Pseudopanax!

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    1. Good eye! I realize now I never did post the photos I took of that project and how nicely it turned out. Thanks again for the slate pieces!

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  14. You know my feelings on these, but I have to say I do really like the purple version. The red trunks are cool, too, and the leaves contrast beautifully with the plants around them.

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    1. I don't think I would ever bother with the green leafed plants, the purple are so much more striking!

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  15. Very interesting theory. She could be right. However, I have one plant that is over six feet tall, rivaling my Musa basjoo. It's in part shade. The ones in full sun (receiving the same amount of water) are comparatively sad and sorry, topping out at two feet. I notice that your big one is parked against the fence. Is it getting a bit of shade? Maybe that little bit of shelter plays a part in how big they get.

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    1. You might be right about the fence playing a role, although not to provide shade because the plant in question is planted on the south side of it. Shelter might be a key factor though = heat...

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  16. I've never grown castor bean, though I think it's lovely! But I do love playing "plant detective" since the same thing happens in my garden all the time--even 3' apart. It took me three tries to find the perfect spot for a rusty blackhaw viburnum.

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  17. What can we expect from a plant with murder in its heart? It has to be sneaky and keep us guessing. I will continue to court it despite (or perhaps because) of its sinister ways.

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