It's still April and these things are making seeds. Do I need to cut the seed heads off before they mature? Will the plants die if they complete the process of the seed making?
Castor bean advice
The plants are annual so they only last one season, but they might keep growing after some of the seeds mature, you could pick them to encourage new growth, but I caution you to be extremely careful, both the plant and the seeds are very poisonous, watch out if you have small children and pets.
here is some info http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ricin
Josephine.
Thanks, Josephine. I'm aware of their toxicity, but I'm 5'3'' and the plants are 7 feet tall, it's going to be a challenge to keep the blossoms from setting. I don't want them to die, their mission through the summer is to shade things growing at their feet.
We had a nice winter and they didn't freeze back this year, as they do usually.
We had these in our yard when I was
a child and thet do not die after seeds set.
They are "annuals" in that thry are tender
when temps go below freezing, but dont
die if it doesnt freeze or hard frost.
This plant, like many other annuals, are
tender perennials in tropical climates.