tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1018965493805276234.post4448238685514240674..comments2024-03-28T13:54:16.110-07:00Comments on danger garden: The Ricin Reportdanger gardenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09227500551609537140noreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1018965493805276234.post-89511313944713351622014-09-25T17:13:00.665-07:002014-09-25T17:13:00.665-07:00What can we expect from a plant with murder in its...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.rickiihttp://bannersbyricki.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1018965493805276234.post-71909543403854215902014-09-24T18:09:24.324-07:002014-09-24T18:09:24.324-07:00I've never grown castor bean, though I think i...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. LindaCTGhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10177442713100751193noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1018965493805276234.post-86884801567086735922014-09-24T16:56:07.176-07:002014-09-24T16:56:07.176-07:00You might be right about the fence playing a role,...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...danger gardenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09227500551609537140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1018965493805276234.post-41189414051835304162014-09-24T16:54:38.139-07:002014-09-24T16:54:38.139-07:00I don't think I would ever bother with the gre...I don't think I would ever bother with the green leafed plants, the purple are so much more striking!danger gardenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09227500551609537140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1018965493805276234.post-22927578750011664702014-09-24T16:53:58.061-07:002014-09-24T16:53:58.061-07:00Good eye! I realize now I never did post the photo...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!danger gardenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09227500551609537140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1018965493805276234.post-80522060218620548882014-09-24T16:52:39.677-07:002014-09-24T16:52:39.677-07:00Recently visited your part of the world and I have...Recently visited your part of the world and I have to say I don't remember seeing a single castor bean.danger gardenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09227500551609537140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1018965493805276234.post-88540828122964502442014-09-24T16:51:28.204-07:002014-09-24T16:51:28.204-07:00It sure could, I just wonder why this one sat stil...It sure could, I just wonder why this one sat still for so long before taking off.danger gardenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09227500551609537140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1018965493805276234.post-51117775475947143202014-09-24T16:50:52.052-07:002014-09-24T16:50:52.052-07:00Weed indeed, I've seen how they can take over ...Weed indeed, I've seen how they can take over in. Southern California!danger gardenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09227500551609537140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1018965493805276234.post-42477735917339038232014-09-24T16:50:21.432-07:002014-09-24T16:50:21.432-07:00Maybe it will be an early spring? You deserve an e...Maybe it will be an early spring? You deserve an easy winter after last year...danger gardenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09227500551609537140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1018965493805276234.post-13032255204983221572014-09-24T16:49:43.493-07:002014-09-24T16:49:43.493-07:00Me too, thank god Lila isn't interested in pla...Me too, thank god Lila isn't interested in plants/seedlings.danger gardenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09227500551609537140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1018965493805276234.post-85381084591221902532014-09-24T16:49:04.217-07:002014-09-24T16:49:04.217-07:00I was worried that I had done that too, I don'...I was worried that I had done that too, I don't know what got into this one.danger gardenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09227500551609537140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1018965493805276234.post-76543338365941478402014-09-24T16:48:13.307-07:002014-09-24T16:48:13.307-07:00Thanks guys!Thanks guys!danger gardenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09227500551609537140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1018965493805276234.post-8423019346066115712014-09-24T16:47:57.896-07:002014-09-24T16:47:57.896-07:00I've seen many larger castor beans around town...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.danger gardenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09227500551609537140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1018965493805276234.post-18051563359040712692014-09-24T16:37:16.294-07:002014-09-24T16:37:16.294-07:00And that's all that matters Jane! (that you lo...And that's all that matters Jane! (that you love how it looks)danger gardenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09227500551609537140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1018965493805276234.post-82707466667246853202014-09-24T12:33:14.756-07:002014-09-24T12:33:14.756-07:00Very interesting theory. She could be right. Howev...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.GRACE PETERSONhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04520343332670354262noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1018965493805276234.post-52153165230521414292014-09-24T09:57:52.078-07:002014-09-24T09:57:52.078-07:00None of mine were seeds, I got seedlings about 5&q...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.danger gardenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09227500551609537140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1018965493805276234.post-61685918237363769532014-09-24T09:56:25.207-07:002014-09-24T09:56:25.207-07:00I'm sure I will!I'm sure I will! danger gardenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09227500551609537140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1018965493805276234.post-3350873456519908232014-09-23T22:38:21.305-07:002014-09-23T22:38:21.305-07:00You know my feelings on these, but I have to say I...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.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14528403806024368437noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1018965493805276234.post-38251965913957974752014-09-23T20:57:41.594-07:002014-09-23T20:57:41.594-07:00They look great! There are a lot of them in the ga...They look great! There are a lot of them in the garden at work here. <br /><br />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!Evan Beanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06732413653862912387noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1018965493805276234.post-10245903705402968302014-09-23T20:07:46.083-07:002014-09-23T20:07:46.083-07:00Agree that root/space competition isn't the re...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.<br /><br />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. <br /><br />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!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1018965493805276234.post-31358538262802337452014-09-23T19:48:51.827-07:002014-09-23T19:48:51.827-07:00I love Ricinus. I've tried to grow them from s...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?<br />How great is that Alison gave you all so many ricinus to enjoy :)Lisa C. D.https://www.blogger.com/profile/12172903134507691227noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1018965493805276234.post-60207880767823798982014-09-23T15:59:12.785-07:002014-09-23T15:59:12.785-07:00Foliage looks fabulous! I noticed the green one h...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. Hoover Boohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03083294821646284424noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1018965493805276234.post-15580555392151252802014-09-23T11:51:04.518-07:002014-09-23T11:51:04.518-07:00Aren't these fun plants to grow?! I love them...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...DC Tropicshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18325534376342345900noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1018965493805276234.post-56435524294014238362014-09-23T11:23:36.072-07:002014-09-23T11:23:36.072-07:00WooHoo! It's strange how differently they act,...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!Alisonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16323262555906240701noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1018965493805276234.post-65307511499665434952014-09-23T11:20:39.223-07:002014-09-23T11:20:39.223-07:00Hooray for the comeback kid! Such a handsome plan...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. outlawgardenerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08273973572989510382noreply@blogger.com