Five Mistakes to Avoid Growing Ricinus communis - Castor Oil Plant

It is difficult nowadays to find Ricinus communis plants for sale in your local garden centre however the seeds are still readily available from trusted online retailers should you decide you can't live with out them and are prepare for the faff of growing your own. However, there are some mistakes that are often made when growing these impressive plants so before you start check out English horticulturist Simon's five mistakes to avoid when growing Ricinus communis, otherwise known as the caster oil plant.
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[@robineggels1563]

The wife flaps continually about this plant. I've been growing it from my own seed stock for years. So far zero fatalities. So long as you're not putting seeds into your bean chili's there's a near zero of negative outcomes.
The plant looks amazing, everyone comments on it when they come round. I grow Zanzibarensis and NZ Purple.
Zanzibarensis works well as a poor man's T.Rex plant.
Nice vid.

[@walkingtalkinggardeners]

Hi Robin, and thanks for the comment. There is definitely a lot of fuss about Ricinus seeds, but trear them with respect and there is no problem. I like the cultivars you mentioned, I'll see if I can get hold of that Zanzibarensis. Kind regards Simon

[@robineggels1563]

@@walkingtalkinggardeners I've got a bunch of seeds [zanzibarensis] if you want any of mine.

[@louisedavey3603]

thanks very useful info :-)

[@walkingtalkinggardeners]

You are very welcome, Louise. Simon

[@tbrandvks1]

Thanks for the info-most helpful. I'll be growing from seed for the first time. When ready to plant out (in pots) what soil would be best? For most plants I usually use a 50:50 mix of multi compost and JI No 3 and feed with liquid seaweed - would that be OK for Ricinus?

[@walkingtalkinggardeners]

Hi Roy, the compost mix is absolutely fine but these can be big leafy plants so I would also use a high nitrogen feed such a miracle grow over the growing season. Also just keep an eye on watering as they can be prone to drying out too much in a pot. However avoid waterlogged conditions. Kind regards Simon

[@auntyp2980]

Im a huge fan of castor

[@walkingtalkinggardeners]

Me too, I have just sown some more for this year's display. Simon 🙂

[@RACHEL-pu9gf]

Do you pinch out the tips please to make them branch out more?

[@walkingtalkinggardeners]

Hi Rachel, pinching out tips to encourage branching is a viable method, but i haven't needed to with mine. You can check out how they established in my videos from last late summer/early autumn. Kind regards Simon

[@adamfirst9321]

1:22 Also 6:48. !!!!!!

[@walkingtalkinggardeners]

Hi Adam. As they say, rules are for the guidance of the wise and the obedience of fools!