Ricinus seedlings

[kentvegplot]

I collected some seeds from my Ricinus communis plants last year and knowing how difficult they can be to germinate I put 12 into a small seed tray and thence into the heated prop.

Well, 9 came up and they grew so rapidly, that they were soon too tall for the prop and are now on a windowsill.

I realise I should have used individual pots for them but does anyone know for sure whether, when I pot them off, I can bury part of the stem? They look as if the first leaves are cotyledons, which would imply (I believe) that I could part-bury the stem as it would be inclined to grow adventitious roots.

Anyone know for sure?

Thanks

[sarraceniac]

Yup, I always pot on deeper (a lot deeper). I just put my seeds in today. If yours die let me know and I will send you a few thousand. Last years are not cut back yet 'cos I love those spiny pods in winter. When I offered some on the 'Seed swap' it was the only time I had no takers. Could it be because I pointed out that although attractive you should keep children, animals and your balmy Auntie Flo away from them?

[kentvegplot]

Thanks S, have repotted into much deeper pots. I'd like to get them out to the greenhouse to get more light, which I only keep frost free. Do you know what nighttime temp would be a minimum for them?

[sarraceniac]

I've had mine as low as 3°C. Of course I can only go by the min-max thermometer which means it could have gone down to that for half an hour or all night. I think, as with most semi-tropicals, the main threats are 1) low temp over a long period and 2) a sudden frost. I reckon that if I can get away with it in Yorkshire (albeit the mildest part in winter) that you should be OK in the Garden of England. And if winter should return unexpectedly you still have time to start again. My green Castors are not showing yet and my red ones are not even planted yet. The red are the really tender ones of course.