The ( flower ) of the castor bean is not spectacular. There are no petals to the flower. It is a creamy white flower that is mostly pollen. When the male bud opens it releases the pollen to the wind and it catches onto the red spiny female seed pods. The red seed pods are definitely more noticeable from a distance. In warmer climates the castor bean plant is a perennial. that will live many years.
You can Google, castor bean varieties , and get pictures, uses of the castor bean.
I didn't count the different varieties but there many, distinguishing difference's the color of the stalk as well as the leaves.
I plan to try leaving one plant stay standing this winter, just to see if it will come back. It may even give some adventurous Mole something to think about. LOL
Oh, Something I did last year. I used three leaves of the plant in sand casting a bird bath. Which incidentally I haven't finished yet. But the large veins make a striking design in the concrete. I didn't get around to making stepping stone squares this year, but the leaves would make a nice design on stepping stones in the flower garden too.
Jeanette I did get a lot of seeds. But many of the seeds will not germinate. I think it has to do with either polination or weather the seed pod was mature enough, at the end of the season. but the imature seeds will usually float in water. The ones that float get mashed and mixed into bait for mice. don't like them little buggers either.
Well off to do another favor, for someone else. But then what else would I do right now, ha ha
Straw Bale Gardening (Part 17) - General discussion
Russ!! A perennial! the Castor Beans? I did not think that. Now I know I am going to have to start some. I have a picture I took out of the newspaper that I will try to scan tomorrow to send you all. It is pretty cool of just what you are talking about Russ.
It isn't very dark tho and I don't know if my printer will scan it dark enough. Do any of you know how I can darken it on the scanner? I would love to send it to you.
I had thought I would start one on the bottom of my perennial garden and not stake it or any thing, just let it ramble throughout and maybe that would keep the moles away?? What do you think?
It's things like this that make me wish spring would get here pretty soon!! BUT, the weather lady is starting to use the "S" word. Won't be long now.
Jeanette
Well, I have heard that castor beans work to repel moles, so I sure will try them next year. I also used a powder I bought at Lowes which had 10% castor, but it was expensive, and I have a lot of ground to cover....I will google to try to find out where to buy the seeds.... just an FYI.... I have heard that some people are sensitive to the plant - I don't know if it's just the sap that can be irritating, or the whole plant, but in any case, be careful the first time you use them. anne
Hey lonejack, great to see someone from my neighborhood using bales - I just bought a bunch and hope to try them next spring. Are you growing anything in them now? I'm pretty new to portland and would love any advice you have to offer about growing veggies and fruits here. Would love to know more about your irrigation system, too.
anne
There is one article that kind of links the Castor bean to the same family as the rubber tree. Where they get the milky sap that is rubbery.
It did say something about the sap being an irritant.
As far as being perennial I believe that would be limited by the zone you are in.
I am just experimenting with this one. I have my doubts that it will come back. I won't be out anything by trying. Without going back to the article, I am only guessing but I think it referred to zone 8 and warmer.
The stalks are woody but have a hollow core. The sap in mine is clear.
I do remember being given Castor oil for something and even though I no longer remember the taste, I do remember it was nasty. I don't know if it took care of the problem or not. Nor am I willing to taste it to find out. LOL
A durivitive (my spellcheck says I am wrong in the spelling of that and it didn't like my spelling of "spellcheck" either, lol) 2 words I guess. Anyway that the durivitive is deadly. Ricin. A man was just convicted last year in our area for using it to try to kill his wife with. Something you do with the plant.
I bought a bottle of the caster oil at the health food store. I was going to try to use it to spay, mixed with water, on my garden for moles. But then decided to try to plant the beans instead.
Jeanette
Jeanette, Yes the ricine, is a highly processed powder, from the castor bean. Also there is the ricine gas, I would have no knowledge of how that is processed. but I think that in the form of the actual bean and the roots have to do with the quantity thing, that the mole would have to eat, before it would actually kill it. or anything. I am still very careful around it. As the whole plant is supposedly poisonous. I use care when getting the bean out of the spiny shell. Of course there a lot of house plants that are poisonous. defenbackia is one. Now the century plant ( mother in laws tongue) is one with a rather interesting story. Feed it to your mother in law and she will lose her voice ( for a while). lol
EEs if eaten could cause considerable irritation.
Many of us like the, lowly kiwi. It also has an irritant that has caused some people some grief with lips swelling up or even large blisters.
I think that was the demise of one of my koi, a year or two ago. one of the canes or vine drooped into the pond, and I had 5 koi floating. I managed to save 4 of the five. I used fresh water from the hose turned low to get water flowing through their gills to resuscitate them. It took about an hour before they could stay upright in the water and not roll over onto their side and float to the surface.
We just have to be careful with our Green Thumb activities and know what we are dealing with. I am including a pic of an EE leaf from the EEs planted in a ring around a walnut tree in the front yard
What plant fell over into the pond and killed koi?
You are so right Russ, if we just went out and looked around the yard or at the plants in the house to discard any that were not poisonous we probably wouldn't have many left. I remember your EE ring. Now, what do you do with those in the winter? Do you have a picture of the ring? Would love to see it. Those are very beautiful plants.
Jeanette
Remember the other day I was telling you about an article in the newspaper Russ and Donna, about one of the things a woman does with the leaves? This is a fountain. And there was one more. If you are interested I won't bother the rest with the picture but if you want it I will send it D-mail.
Anyway here's one. It won't hurt the rest to look at it. LOL
Jeanette
Jeannette-
I would love to see more about the fountain. Thanks, Rachel
Rachel, here is another picture but the article is pretty long. If you want me to copy it and send it to you I can do that. Also, if I can find it, there was an article I read on how to make these from leaves like the Caster Bean, Rhubarb, Elephants Ear etc. This article is about a woman who has made a business out of making and selling these fountains. I think you can read on the bottom of this picture what she sells them for. Very interesting. Gosh Rachel, maybe you and I could go into business. LOL, just kidding. On my part anyway.
Jeanette
I've always wanted to learn how do the leaf castings.
Jeanette; There was an article in backyard living. This lady was using rhubarb leaves as a pattern design in sand casting birdbaths. The second picture looks very similar to what she was doing. This could even be the same person. I really like that fountain.
Anyway the article told how to do the sand casting. Which is what prompted me to give it a try. My birdbath don't look that good though. Kind of thick and I didn't do that good of a job. I think I may have used a heavier piece of plastic over the sand. Some of the wrinkles of the plastic show too. But it is a one of a kind, and it will work. I probably didn't even have the right consistency of the cement.
Wvdasy; That was a kiwi vine. that was down into the one pond. After I got 4 of the five koi resuscitated. I started checking. Water samples were fine. There were quite a few leaves missing off the vine that went down into the pond..And checking on the toxicity of the kiwi on line, is where found the pictures on some children, that were affected. by eating the kiwi fruit. I would think that it would be the same as a person that is allergic to bananas.
I can't prove that it was the kiwi vine. but every thing else was A OK. And They probably ate all the missing leaves.
I will try find the issue of Backyard Living that had that article on sand casting. See if I can scan it in for you. Russ
This message was edited Nov 7, 2007 7:48 PM
Russ, that would be really nice. I don't think Kent would like our using this forum for that though. Altho, this time of year it isn't really that active. I saw another one of those bird baths that a woman made from that. I was thinking it was in a freebie Garden Gate issue. But, I do get the Backyard Living too so you could be right.
I thought rather than use this forum or the D-mail that I would just copy the article and mail it to Rachel. But, in case I can't find mine, if you find yours go ahead and scan it into this forum with the instructions how to do it. That is unless Kent, or someone else complains in the meantime.
I am assuming that Rachel, your address is in the exchange? If not, and you want this information, send me your address thru D-mail.
Think we've got you covered Rachel.
Jeanette
Jeanette you may be right about the garden gate. I didn't find that article, but I did find the instructions on the internet.
1Step OneFind a leaf. To make your sand cast function as a birdbath, a large leaf is best, such as a rhubarb or elephant ear leaf.
2Step TwoMake a dome shaped pile of sand on a hard surface. The pile of sand needs to be approximately two inches larger then your chosen leaf. Cover your pile of sand with a piece of plastic wrap.
3Step ThreePlace the leaf face down on the pile of sand. After placing the leaf you might need to adjust the sand pile to make sure that the leaf is fully supported.
4Step FourCover the outside of the leaf with concrete. Put the concrete in the center of the leaf and work it towards the outer edges. You want the concrete to be about one inch thick in the center and gradually taper down to approximately 1/4 inch along the edges.
5Step FivePut plastic wrap over the concrete covered leaf and wait for it to dry. It will take a couple of days for the concrete to dry thoroughly.
6Step SixRemove the plastic wrap and carefully turn the sand cast leaf over after the concrete is fully dry. Lift the second sheet of plastic wrap off of the leaf.
7Step SevenPeel off the leaf. Most of the leaf will pull off easily, but you will might have to use a scrub brush to remove any pieces that do not come off. Wait a week for the concrete to cure before sealing or painting.
8Step EightPaint your sand cast birdbath in the color of your choice. If you do not want to paint it, you can apply a coat of concrete sealer before filling it with water for the birds.
Tips & Warnings
You can place your new sand cast birdbath on the ground in your garden or yard or on a pedestal.
If the leaf you want to use as a hole or tear in it, you can take a small piece from another leaf and place it over the damaged area as a patch.
Hope this is a help. Russ
Look in the hypertufa forum, there is a ton of information on leaf casting.
Michelle in Michigan
That was my next suggestion to Rachel, Michelle. Thanks. And, Scooterbug is a big help if she gets stuck.
Thanks Russ. That was a lot of work typing that all out. A pain in the butt. Whoops.
I really liked the ones I found in the paper. The lady did a good job.
Jeanette
Thanks for all of the info and yes my addy is in the exchange. Rachel
Jeanette, I enjoyed seeing the pictures of the sand cast fountains and the other things the lady made. I always wanted to try making the large leaf sand casts. Maybe I will get ambitious next spring and try.
Donna
Jeanette ; I will Have to admit I didn't type it out.
after I found it I just done a copy and paste. That will work for most printed material. but not pictures.
I know I still have the magazine, just can't put my finger on it.
This is a shot of the ring sorry some of my plant tubs are still setting there.
Russ
Russ, you didn't say if you have to dig the EE. Are they tubers?
Jeanette
Sorry, My mind is kind of like a sieve. Most EEs are a tuber almost ball shaped. Yes they do have to be dug up and stored dry. If they freeze they are done for. The leaves can take a light frost then they should start to wilt. Dig them and let them dry. Store them like potatoes cool and dark. If there are any new tubers wait till spring to separate. They can be started indoors in a pot. to get a head start. They can be grown in a container they do like nitrogen rich moist soil. They like hot humid conditions. I don't get as good a growth, as I plant them in partial shade. That makes it easier for me to keep the soil moist.
If you fertilize once a month with nitrogen rich fertilizer the may even grow larger, like an Elephant's ear.
My daughter in Seattle planted some. I am going to have to ask her how they did. I doubt that she dug them for winter since she is zone 8.
Rachel, I will try to get your stuff copied tomorrow.
Jeanette
Guys, If you really want see what an EE can do, check out the Aroid Forum, Bye, KK.
Yup KK, I don't think you would even have to dig them, at the end of your summer. Those are some very large EEs. With our weather, as far as the EEs are concerned, we don't really have the long hours of sun. or the constant humidity, for them to get that big.
Russ
Yes, one of the DGers in Houston sent me pictures of his and they are almost like trees down there. But, you can't have everything. If you have the right light etc, they would make lovely house plants.
KK, that's not fair comparing a zone 4 or 5 with a zone 10. : ) I think if Russ goes to the trouble of planting and digging them every year that it is pretty good. Kind of like dahlias or begonias. I am sure in zone 10 they probably bloom year round. Don't know. Do they have to have that rest in the winter to get their strength for next summer's blooms?
That's not bale gardening tho so I guess I should be asking on the other forums. Just curious.
Jeanette
Jeanette I think they would do alright in a bale. But then that wouldn't exactly be making the best use of a bale. They like good drainage. Some grow EEs in a pond, but I don't think that would be the best for saving the tubers. I tried it and they didn't get very big, and just sent roots all over. I'm thinking of putting some at the edge of the garden this next spring. I want to see if they will do better there. I don't have real good soil in the ring where I have had them for a couple years. The tubers did not form very well. I didn't fertilize them either. Usually the bigger the tuber the larger the plant will get. This year the largest tuber disintegrated but I got 8 different plants from it. Hope they all keep over winter.
And yes zone 10 compared to zone 4 is like compareing apples and oranges. LOL Or should I say a Peterbilt to a VW bug???????
Kaelkitty;
I tried the chard with putting a little nutmeg in it. Decided to add a little more flavor. Cut up a couple tiny onions and one banana pepper and just a little butter. we both eat it then. We will try it again, at least. LOL Next spring we will have some spinach again.
Hi all,
Jeanette I wasn't suggesting an unfair comparison - I KNOW you can't grow them that size when you have to dig them every year - even though I don't have to dig mine they actually don't get that big either, our humidity is too low and the plants seem to keep their leaves smaller to prevent wilting. Mine do however, flower - weird rather than beautiful, I have other aroids with truly amazing flowers like Dracunculus vulgaris. I just thought Russ might like to see what the plants can do under the right conditions. Anyway every climate has it's good and bad points, there are plenty of cool climate plants I fancy madly, but can't grow here.
Russ, I am glad you liked my suggestion re the chard. I like your recipe as well - I wonder what people did do for flavour in food before the onion! They seem to wind up in almost everything Mum and I cook. I have even (accidentally) made onion jam - I was trying for relish, but I cooked it too long! Also re the EE I'm pretty sure they all "rest" in the off season, it's just that some die right back to the tuber, and some keep a few leaves, but don't grow any new ones for a couple of months. Obviously the climate has an effect - I get the feeling that some species can go either way, depending upon the local climate where they are grown. They are real food hogs though so I'd give them a good dose of fertilizer once you have them replanted and growing again.
We will now return you to your regular program on Bale Gardening, LOL! Bye for Now, Kaelkitty.
PS, In case any of you were wondering where my username comes from - This is Kael, he thinks I am his kitty, so Kael's Kitty became Kaelkitty because it is easier to type
Beautiful Kael!! What does that name mean? Does it sound like Kayel? Is that how you pronounce it? He is gorgeous.
Didn't mean to sound snippy over the comparisons in zones KK. I guess I do get kind of disgusted with our cold zones sometimes. But, even we need a rest from gardening just like the plants do. I did smile tho. LOL
Would love to see a picture of them flowering KK.
Jeanette
Yes Jeanette it is pronounced Kay-el. He will be five on the 13th of December coming up. When he arrived in my life he was the tiniest ball of fluff, just seven weeks old - who would have thought he would grow into the 14lb/6.5k monster he is today. He measures 33in/84cm from nose to tail tip and he is quite happy to stand on his back legs and put his front paws up on the desk in order to drag me away from the computer, if he feels like he is not getting enough attention! What makes his size so hysterically funny is that his mother is a tiny black and white SHORTHAIR less than half his size. We have always joked that his father must have been a giant mutant squirrel on steroids! (and no we don't have squirrels here so that made it even more of a mystery).
About the time I got him I had just finished reading this book. The giant cat on the cover is named Kaelas and he is the "king" of all of the magical animals in the story inside. They are both black and white, and even as a kitten my boy was pretty regal so I took the name from the book and shortened it (as he was so tiny at the time I thought he should have a smaller name) LOL, little did I know then how big he would end up being! This has lead to the other joke with my friends, that his size is due to the "morphic resonance" from his name! This just goes to prove that science fiction and fantasy book readers are an even odder bunch of people than plant fans in my opinion, but at least we relish our "oddness" - the rest of the world just doesn't know what they are missing!
Kael goes to work with me every day in the shop and he is chief customer greeter. Sometimes I think more people come in here to see him than to buy a book! I must go now customers to sort out, see you, KK.
Cool story KK. Cool Cat Kael. I can see why you work in a book store?? It takes a person that loves books and do I dare say "fantasy" to work in one.
You know Kent and one or two of the others are going to come and jerk us back to the strawbales.
You see, there are places here in the states that people are just starting to plant theirs. I wonder if they call this "spring" where they are? come on you guys in the south, do you call this spring where you are? That is the craziest thing I have wondered yet. If you look at a calendar, spring starts the 21st of March I think it is.
Hey that's cool. Just ??? 4 months till March. I've got some bales spoken for. Have to finish cleaning up, before I start hauling them in. LOL Also need to cut down that dead walnut too. That is the one that took a direct hit from a bolt of lightning. Glad it was the tree and not the house.
I will be placing them in the poorest part of the garden. I will still have a dirt garden as well. Some things need to be in dirt. I am going to try useing the old rotted straw, grass clipings and leaves, with a little dirt, for some of the sweet taders. Will also cut some of the vines back, just have to see if that works any better.
And Kent, I will try to prune up just so high so as to keep from haveing to crawl on hands and knees to pick the lower maters. LOL
Will space them further apart too.
And Kaelkitty you will have to keep us informed as too how they do for you. We all love pictures. Even of Kael LOL
Jeanette: talk about whatever you like! :-)
Russ: 10-4 on the pruning!
Kent
I guess we've all been taking advantage of the last little bit of half way decent weather, to get things cleaned up and ready for the next 4 months of nasty stuff.
Have to admit that I have been mixing the leaves grass and dirt. Took down the poles for the cattle panels. Getting the new spot ready for the bales. That also involves dismantling an old storage shed and cutting down that dead walnut tree. I would just drop the tree but one limb would smash right down on the fiberglass roof that I plan to reuse.
I also had one of those dome, canvas covered buildings to take down and relocate. I will be putting it back up and covering it with clear fiberglass panels. I want to use it for a greenhouse. To help harden off some of the tender plants next spring. I really don't know if I can get all that done, as I sure take a lot of rest breaks.
Any way; "Hi " every body! See me waving to you? LOL
Hi back to you Russ, I see ya.
Sounds like you've got a ton of work to do before next season rolls around. You better get busy, and don't take too many of those rest breaks.
Bob put the boat in the hoophouse for the winter. Come spring I might have to blast it out of there. Either that or get the fishing licenses and the poles and gear out. That will probably do it.
You all have a nice Thanksgiving, and drive careful for those of you who will be traveling. Going by plane? Make the pilot drive careful.
Jeanette
We have no plans for travel this Thanksgiving. I'm going to roast a bird, put out invites to family. If no one shows, I guess I will find as many ways to serve turkey as there is for sweet potatoes.
I'm just not going anywhere, unless I absolutely have to.
Well You and Bob, Take care. Come spring, if the boat is still in the hoop house, You could tell him It would be kind of big for a flower pot.
Heh Heh heh.
Have fun.
I don't have travel plans for Thanksgiving other than a few miles to a friends house. After what I did last Monday wouldn't be up to traveling too far anyway.
I was leaving our Senior Center to just go across the street to Garden club meeting and someway missed my step and fell flat on my face into our recently gravel re-topped street .nose and upper lip look awful. But anyway I have really good bones as nothing broke. But everything still hurts especially my middle finger and left knee. I thought I was being careful but obviously not careful enough. Am so thankful no teeth broke and hip joints still okay. I was told when I had the second replacement spikes installed in my hip joints, both, that if I did break either, that there was at that time ,12 years ago, nothing else could be done, only a wheel chair. So you know I try to be careful.
Happy Thanksgiving to All.
Donna
Oh Donna, so sorry about your fall. Happy Thanksgiving to you too.
Jeanette