Castor Bean contest?

Well, Kell . . .
your state? or is that a secret?

I couldn't get the purple one from Debby, to grow. It is still very short. I should have seeds from the red spire though.

I just happened to think.....my castors are close together and they may have cross pollinated, so if I have seeds, and you get any of them, you may have a surprise on your hands. LOL!!

This message was edited Wednesday, Aug 6th 10:23 AM

Brugie: That is very strange, my purple castor is almost 7 ft. tall now. They were out of the same lot of seeds, planted the same day and same way. Start cursing at it.

I threatened it with the weed eater a couple of days ago. I'm going to see what I can do to help it out. I like the color of the leaves. Of course, you saw that pathetic little green one I grew. May be the soil on that side of the house.

Brugie: Could be they don't like the soil. I have two datura's that I planted in the same spot as last year and they don't like where they are, didn't do well there either year. So I will have to remember not to plant any datura in that bed.

Update: I measured mine last night and they came in at 12 feet, 4 inches! Nat

This message was edited Thursday, Sep 4th 2:49 AM

CC: Remind me in the fall.

Me too, Debby............I just gotta have some purple too!
Bodaman..........you created a monster!!!

"eyes"

Eyes: I started a list for the purple castor beans and you are on it along with CC. and Playsndirt.

Oh me too, please????

Me too debby, Please.

Pruning flowers standing on a chair,gonna have to get a ladder next time!

Vince across the road.

I didn't prune my flowers, can't get to them, they are tall enough anyway.
Looks like you have the whole neighborhood into plants!

LOL Root! Vince looks like he is not so sure about this plant thing! LOL

Can I post the one with "the most potential" or maybe we can call it a "Bonzai Castor" This one got left behind when I planted the others, which are 4 feet tall or so (I got a very late start). This one is not much larger than a soda can.

Question here - would it be possible to put it in a larger pot and keep it as an indoor plant until next year or should I give the little guy a chance and move him out with the big boys?

In the picture above,where I am pruning blooms.the one one the right was kept in a pot all winter under lights,it looked exactly like yours,only a couple months ago,I thought it would never take off,so I guess it can be done.

Another question - *I never lack for questions* - Could some of my big ones be transplanted inside for the winter or would it not be worth the effort. I do have a HUGE heated basement, temp stays about 60 year round - would I have a chance at keeping any of them alive to get have something next year earlier in the season. Our winter goes SOOO late, that few things can be planted outside before May, so May and early June are not especially exciting around here.

I wouldn't!They get so big from seed,all you should have to do is start a few weeks early.

Sounds good, I'll take your advice - that makes for one less dependent over the winter. I did get a very late start with these, planted the seeds in mid-May.

We will all have to swap seeds at the end of season,I have loved this thread!

Root - wonderful idea. I do have three kinds, hopefully they'll produce some seeds. I'd really like to try some more next year.

I don't know what kind mine are but would love to trade.

Here is a picture of Red Spire. In the background there are a couple of other kinds. It has been years since I've grown castors and I'd forgotten how pretty and tropical they look.

That is beautiful brugie! I love your whole yard. Could you post more pics?

Brugie, What is the blue flowers to the left of the red castor beans? I guess you know blue is my favorite color.

Here's an updated picture of mine. I cannot believe how much they have grown in just 10 days. Not too bad for a first time grower! Nat

BusyBee, actually those flowers are more deep in color and a little bit more purple looking. It is the Jackmanni clematis. Here is a blue one that I love. The Bluebird Rose of Sharon. I have one at each end of the big bed. As soon as our ground gets a good rain, I can dig some seedlings. I know that first on my list is Azalea and then two others after that. If there are plenty and I think there are, you are welcome to some.

Weeds, I hate to mess up the thread, but I'll add one more picture. I don't think Bob will be too upset.

One more picture. My yard is more like a jungle this year. I wanted a tropical look and I sure have it. Everything grew much bigger than I thought it would and some things got crowded out. This picture is part of a bed that is actually the front. The picture above with the Red Spire is the back side of this bed. It is about 40 ft. long and six foot deep. Was going to mention that I have Dwarf Green, Red Spire, Royal Thai, and a purple castor bean. Royal Thai being my favorite. Huge leaves on it compared to the others.

Thanks Brugie, That is very kind of you. Just let me know when to send postage or whatever you want.

Brugie: Can you please post a pic. of Royal Thai, I have never seen that one. Thanks.

Brugie, where did you get your seeds? I've been looking around a little bit and haven't found anyone that has a good variety of them

That's it in the middle top of the picture Deb. I'm having computer problems so I hope I can get this posted for you.

I just took a measurement,I'm at 12 ft. even.
Nat.I let my neighbor Sam look at this thread and he said you are in the lead!

Just behind you Root at 11 1/2 feet; It's getting hard to measure them!

Thanks for the invite Root! I just went out this a/m and measured my castor beans.
Although I couldn't hold the tape measure, and the camera. They measured 11'tall!

Molly, your picture is very pretty. Nice and tropical looking.

Thanks!

I think mine are of a dwarf variety...........RTOFL
they're just not taking off real fast this year, they're only about I would guess, close to 6 feet
can't compete with all of you :(

molly, that pic makes you think of a tropical rain forest for sure :)