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When to Move Castor Bean Seedlings Outside ?

8 years ago

I've managed to get these nice Castor Bean seedlings this far (about 10"), but they still look quite frail.

The frost & freezing are behind us now, so that's not an issue. I'm concerned that the stems of the plants may need to be staked since they look like a gentle breeze would easily break them over.

Is staking common after moving the plant outside or, will they be sturdy enough to make it on their own?

Featured Answer

laceyvail 6A, WV

8 years ago

If frost and freeze is over, start hardening off the plants, then when they are used to the sun, plant them out. You are aware, I hope, of how very poisonous they are, especially the seeds.

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Comments (6)

ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
8 years ago
outside in full shade for a week ... then any sun but mid day ... say 11 to 4 pm ... then into the ground

since we have no clue where you are we cant really opine on your presumption that frost freeze is done ... its not really a calendar thing...

ken
whistle_gw thanked ken_adrian Adrian MI cold Z5
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whistle_gw
Original Author
8 years ago
Oops, forgive me for leaving out a crucial piece of information. We are in zone 7.
wisconsitom
8 years ago
I design lots of ornamental plantings and planters for my city. One year not too long ago, I spec'd a cultivar-was it 'Rosalita'?-for some of these sites. Then I accidentally opened my mouth to a supervisory person about the intensely poisonous nature of the seeds of this plant and ended up having to remove them all. Sometimes it's better to just keep quiet! There's lots of plants with toxic parts and even some poisonous ones, but you generally don't see lots of kids being poisoned. In fact, it almost never happens. Very cool plants.
whistle_gw thanked wisconsitom
greenhearted Z5a IL
8 years ago
Cute plants! If you're in a breezy area, I think I'd be inclined to loosely stake them (so they can still move some but not enough to snap) until they feel more substantial. But I've never grown them before so I could be entirely wrong.

I am attempting these for the first time this year. I got three seeds from a local red leaved plant. The seeds themselves are quite beautiful, pearly white with red streaks. I decided to go the direct seed route and planted them in a half barrel and made a greenhouse of sorts with clear plastic. I checked yesterday and was just starting to get sprouts!
whistle_gw thanked greenhearted Z5a IL
wisconsitom
8 years ago
Just so we're all aware, the toxin found in this plant-and especially in those cute seeds-is ricin. You don't want to consume ricin!

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