View Full Version : Help with mystery seeds...
The Hollyberry Lady
10-14-2009, 08:16 AM
Recently, someone anonymously mailed me some mystery seeds that were not labelled. The seeds are inside these prickly balls...
http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo193/hollyberrylady08/DSCI1298.jpg
When you remove the seeds from the pods, here is how they look...
http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo193/hollyberrylady08/DSCI1299.jpg
After 10 days, they began to sprout. Here is how they look now...
http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo193/hollyberrylady08/DSCI1300.jpg
The person said they were mystery flower seeds. Does anyone have a clue as to what they might be?...
: )
Randy4ut
10-14-2009, 08:41 AM
They are Ricinus communis. Castor bean and are very poisonous. May want to read up on them before handling too much. I grow them every year, but don't start them til first of February. Mine get over 12' tall every year. They do not bother me when handling, but I wash off after I finish whatever it is I am doing with them. Some folks are affected greatly by them from just handling the plant and/or seeds.
Beautiful plants that do add a nice tropical feel wherever they are planted.
The Hollyberry Lady
10-14-2009, 08:49 AM
Thank you, Randy!!!
http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo193/hollyberrylady08/149069-8.gif
How awful that the person didn't warn me they were poisonous!!! I've been handling them like crazy!!!
: O
I am going to go wash my hands, keyboard, and anything else I've touched. WOW!
I love castor bean, and I think this might be the purple leaved variety, because I remember mentioning on another forum that I wanted some.
Thanks again, for helping me with these seeds. I sure appreciate it.
: )
bikoro child
10-14-2009, 08:53 AM
they are poisonous on ly if you eat them!!
The Hollyberry Lady
10-14-2009, 09:49 AM
No chance of that happening, but thanks for mentioning it. So glad I posted these shots today.
Thanks for all your help, guys. I will continue to show shots of it as it grows. Here is what someone else said about my seeds and sprouts on another forum...
Looks like castor bean. Maybe the reddish/bronze variety. If it is, just a heads up- castor beans/plants are considered to be poisonous. Even though castor oil has medicinal uses, ricin (a gnarly poison) is synthesized from it as well. Cool plant though. Have some in far down in my canyon.
: )
The Hollyberry Lady
10-14-2009, 05:20 PM
I thinned a few sprouts, and kept only the two strongeset ones. They're raising up fast now...
http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo193/hollyberrylady08/DSCI1313.jpg
: )
Blake09
10-14-2009, 09:16 PM
Yes castor bean... how did I miss this thread!?
In the genus world record book the plnt is the #1 most toxic in the world! anything that bites the leaves, seeds die including pests like spider mights, aphids, etc. dies/ They have no pest problems.
:D
The Hollyberry Lady
10-14-2009, 09:22 PM
Well, I knew all about the poisonous part, but not the fact that it has no pests!!! That's just great!
I still have to worry about Henry though, so I intend on keeping it far away fom him...
http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo193/hollyberrylady08/DSCI1229.jpg
I am really hoping it turns out to be the purple leaved variety, as I am told in another thread that it might be, because of the color of the sprouts.
I will post shots as it grows for me...
: )
Jananas Bananas
10-14-2009, 09:52 PM
You sure do a heck of a job growing things from seed (I read all your threads :)). I can usually get sprouts but they die in the "hardening off" process. Any secret tips you can share with me?
The Hollyberry Lady
10-14-2009, 09:59 PM
If you have a hard time with the hardening off process, then try to sprout your seeds in the conditions they'll be growing in right from the start, so you don't have to be bothered.
Thanks for the compliments - I do like to grow mostly everything from seed, yes. I am so looking forward to seeing how this Castor Bean plant will turn out - and whether or not it's purple...
http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo193/hollyberrylady08/avatar_17243.jpg
: )
Jananas Bananas
10-14-2009, 10:03 PM
I have some "Jigsaw" pepper seeds I am trying to get for you if you don't have that one. I haven't seen it in your pictures. You can google it to see what it looks like. It is a dwarf multicolor purple leaf. It's very pretty.
Worm_Farmer
10-14-2009, 10:10 PM
Purple Caster Bean!
I cant find where my pictures went, They make an awesome color show. The leafs look almost like a metallic purple on top of green / bronze leafs. Red stalks / steams, and BRIGHT hot pink spiky seed pots in clusters. I still have a few seeds left but have not been able to get one to grow all the big yet. I think about 3' is the biggest I have had don't know what I am doing wrong or what they really like. They also help with nematodes and moles, that's the reason why I picked them up in the first place. I am sure you will enjoy growing them.
The Hollyberry Lady
10-14-2009, 10:16 PM
I'd love some - those look cool. We'll discuss it in pm tomorrow, if that's ok.
Going to bed now...
: )
The Hollyberry Lady
10-14-2009, 10:18 PM
Thanks Worm Farmer - for the information. Yours sounds gorgeous!
: o
Taylor
10-15-2009, 12:05 AM
If they don't turn out to be the purple variety, I can send you some, but those look identical to our purple ones, sprout and all. Ours come up volunteer every year, even some seedlings are coming up in the yard now after a cool spell a few weeks ago triggered them to do so.
bikoro child
10-15-2009, 12:34 AM
Instead of ricinus communis you can get ricinus zanzibariensis which make a tall plant 10feet high whith big leaves
Ricin de Zanzibar - Feuilles endommagées et de grande taille - Les galeries photo de plantes de GardenBreizh (http://gardenbreizh.org/photos/pourquoi/photo-253376.html)
The Hollyberry Lady
10-15-2009, 08:04 AM
Thanks, Taylor, but I am pretty sure that this is the purple variety. I guess time will tell...
That is one big tree, Bikoro child! It's a little too large for me, but it sure is nice.
: )
The Hollyberry Lady
10-15-2009, 10:30 AM
Here are my castor bean seedlings this morning - nearly raised up...
http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo193/hollyberrylady08/DSCI1317.jpg
They remind me of pink flamingos with their heads buried in the dirt!!!
: )
The Hollyberry Lady
10-15-2009, 04:43 PM
Well, here are the cotyledon leaves, trying to rise up this evening...
http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo193/hollyberrylady08/DSCI1321.jpg
: )
The Hollyberry Lady
10-18-2009, 06:40 PM
Here is my tall little seedling - pic taken earlier today. Keeping only one plant, so I thinned the other sprouts.
These are just the cotyledon leaves now, but the 1st set of trues leaves are beginning to form. I can see that this is a very fast growing plant...
http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo193/hollyberrylady08/DSCI1324.jpg
: )
Blake09
10-18-2009, 06:59 PM
Cool, they look so big.
:)
Cool, they look so big.
:)
Yup and the pots so small!!!:ha:
Randy4ut
10-19-2009, 06:28 PM
HBL,
I hope you know what you are getting yourself into if you are planning on growing this as a house plant!!!! Here is a pic of two plants that are 5 months from seed...
http://i113.photobucket.com/albums/n225/randy4ut/Misc%20Plants%202007/100_2073.jpg
BTW, I am 6'4" for scale.
I just cut down my purple and regular variety of castor bean that I started in February. They were over 14' tall... Hope you have tall ceilings. Another thing that you may not like about growing these as a houseplant... They shed their older leaves pretty badly...
Ueberwinden
10-19-2009, 07:25 PM
Something else that is nice about casters is moles absolutely hate them. We have problems with grubs from time to time. Casters solve both problems.
Michael
The Hollyberry Lady
10-19-2009, 09:42 PM
Randy, that is one magnificently gorgeous specimen!!!
http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo193/hollyberrylady08/2-8.gif
Bob, never you mind about how big or small the pot is! I think I will keep my mailbox stuffed full for awhile longer, what do you think? lol.
Big pots are not as "necessary" as people claim they are. Small pots control growth, and allow plants to bloom and produce much sooner. I have done many experiments.
I will put your banana plants in the size pots you want me too, but as far as my other plants go - how can I say this nicely...
BUTT OUT!
: o
Now then, here are some shots of my little caster bean boy that I took this afternoon. You can see how tall its become...
http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo193/hollyberrylady08/DSCI1339.jpg
This shot shows the true leaves forming between the cotyledon leaves...
http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo193/hollyberrylady08/DSCI1340.jpg
Tomorrow, I will transplant the little fella into a bigger pot - but (((((((NOT))))))) because Bob said so.
: )
Ueberwinden
10-20-2009, 06:46 PM
If you are interested in experimenting with the different types of castor bean plants I know of a source that has either 4 or 5 different types.
Michael
jeffreyp
10-20-2009, 06:51 PM
too bad there wasn't a ricin free castor bean....
ROCK DOC: Ricin-free castor beans possible » Standard-Times (http://www.gosanangelo.com/news/2009/aug/08/ricin-free-castor-beans-possible/)
Fly Fishing, Fly Fishing Gear, Fly Fishing Trips, Fly Fishing Techniques and News - MidCurrent (http://www.midcurrent.com/news/2009/09/zm-castor-bean-shades.html)
The Hollyberry Lady
10-20-2009, 07:18 PM
Really? Yes, I would be interested - apart from goofing around with Bob, who always likes to boss me around and tell me what size pots to put my plants in. Pay no attention to this.
Now where were we?
Oh yes, the seeds. 4 or 5 different kinds? Wow!
Here is how my castor bean boy looks tonight...
http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo193/hollyberrylady08/DSCI1360.jpg
: )
The Hollyberry Lady
10-20-2009, 07:42 PM
The sad truth is that Bob is afraid to respond because I have told him that if he continues to raz me about the size of my pots, I will keep the banana plants he sent me in super small pots, and torture them to the bitter end!!!
http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo193/hollyberrylady08/333_half_evil-2.jpg
He is terrified that I will carry out my threats!
http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo193/hollyberrylady08/flower_shocked.gif
The Hollyberry Lady
10-21-2009, 08:33 PM
Here it is today - the 1st set of true leaves are developing...
http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo193/hollyberrylady08/DSCI1387.jpg
: )
The sad truth is that Bob is afraid to respond because I have told him that if he continues to raz me about the size of my pots, I will keep the banana plants he sent me in super small pots, and torture them to the bitter end!!!
http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo193/hollyberrylady08/333_half_evil-2.jpg
He is terrified that I will carry out my threats!
http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo193/hollyberrylady08/flower_shocked.gif
You have me all wrong Hollyberry....as usual:ha: Bonsai is a time honored and respected horticultural practice..... Don't forget to prune the roots once in a while so your miniatures will remain proprtionate to the pot:ha:
The Hollyberry Lady
10-24-2009, 01:00 PM
You and your bonsai! Did you ever stop to consider that maybe I don't want a mammoth size plant?!!!
I use small pots to control growth sometimes. You're just jealous because my plants don't have to be swimming in oversized, massive, gigantic pots, like yours do, to grow well and look great!
: P
Here's my castor bean boy today...
http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo193/hollyberrylady08/DSCI1388.jpg
: )
Arigato Hollyberry!!!:ha::ha::ha: Must admit it looks good so far.
The Hollyberry Lady
10-24-2009, 02:12 PM
You're welcome!
Finally giving credit, where credit is due, huh?
http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo193/hollyberrylady08/thavatarCAY5QAM6-1.png
: P
The Hollyberry Lady
11-02-2009, 07:19 PM
Here it was earlier today...
http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo193/hollyberrylady08/DSCI1439.jpg
: )
figafita
11-02-2009, 11:21 PM
I receive 3 castor oil seeds from a friend and I planted 2 but only one grow. Mine is about the same size like yours but doesn't look the same. May be I'll take a picture tomorrow and I'll post it.
Yours is a giant, it grows so fast.
The Hollyberry Lady
07-22-2010, 10:27 AM
Well, here I go again. That plant was way too huge for inside (as many people warned me it would be) but this new one that just sprouted today is going into my garden soon...
http://i375.photobucket.com/albums/oo193/hollyberrylady08/2nd%20album/DSCI3141.jpg
Have two sprouts actually and gonna grow both outside. I'll post shots as they grow...
: )
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