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Olafhenny · 03-26-2011, 09:06 PM

This picture, which I posted once before shows last year’s castor bean plant to the left of the banana.

It is a very attractive plant, but poisonous. I do not know how it compares with oleander, Rhododendron
or other poisonous garden plants, but the fact, that the seed pods are so attractive makes the especially
dangerous to inquisitive children. So be warned.

I collected seeds, - plenty of them. I first soaked them for about 24 to 30 hours in plain warmish tab water
in a 26^C environment.

This photo shows in the upper row three seeds prior to soaking and the lower row 3 after soaking.

Then I placed them on top of some moist soil in an empty strawberry container, which allows with
the lid closed some ventilation, while keeping most of the moisture in.

After two or three days they looked like this, all shriveled back to the state before soaking.

Since I only wanted 2 or 3 plants, I had the luxury to split my seeds into 3 parts: 1/3rd I tossed back into the
water and left them there, 1/3rd I left on top of the soil and the last 1/3rd I buried lightly.

As you can see in this picture, there was no contest. The seeds in the soil won hands down.

I still have seeds left. I’ll be pleased to stick them into an envelope and send then to anybody, who wants some.
Just PM me your mailing address.

Best,
Olaf

03-26-2011, 09:06 PM	#455 (permalink)
Olafhenny Olafhenny's Photo Gallery Location: Penticton, BC, Okanagan Valley, Canada Find me on the map! Zone: Hardiness Zone 6 Name: Olaf Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 1,705 BananaBucks : 274,386 Feedback: 0 / 0% Said "Thanks" 2,050 Times Was Thanked 2,012 Times in 876 Posts Said "Welcome to Bananas" 77 Times	Castor beans This picture, which I posted once before shows last year’s castor bean plant to the left of the banana. It is a very attractive plant, but poisonous. I do not know how it compares with oleander, Rhododendron or other poisonous garden plants, but the fact, that the seed pods are so attractive makes the especially dangerous to inquisitive children. So be warned. I collected seeds, - plenty of them. I first soaked them for about 24 to 30 hours in plain warmish tab water in a 26^C environment. This photo shows in the upper row three seeds prior to soaking and the lower row 3 after soaking. Then I placed them on top of some moist soil in an empty strawberry container, which allows with the lid closed some ventilation, while keeping most of the moisture in. After two or three days they looked like this, all shriveled back to the state before soaking. Since I only wanted 2 or 3 plants, I had the luxury to split my seeds into 3 parts: 1/3rd I tossed back into the water and left them there, 1/3rd I left on top of the soil and the last 1/3rd I buried lightly. As you can see in this picture, there was no contest. The seeds in the soil won hands down. I still have seeds left. I’ll be pleased to stick them into an envelope and send then to anybody, who wants some. Just PM me your mailing address. Best, Olaf __________________ The reason I joined this forum was to share experiences, my own and those of others and to learn from them. Last edited by Olafhenny : 03-26-2011 at 10:09 PM.