Riciuns communis (Castor Oil Plant)

[Ouya Mellsa]

I saw the lovely Ricinus on Carol Klein's show yesterday and it made me want to grow lots of them!

How easy are they to grow? I only have an unheated PVC greenhouse and don't like having pots in the house. Can I grow it?

[goddess]

Can't help with advice on how to grow them but i have been looking at them on Sarah Raven's website,they look amazing

[Nicki85]

We grow them every year- very easy!! I think we usually start us up at bit later April ish time. Fab plants and grow really well Just don't eat the seeds :O

[trish60]

We grow them every year- very easy!! I think we usually start us up at bit later April ish time. Fab plants and grow really well Just don't eat the seeds :O

Agree with this post.
Have grown them for about 10 years & usually save my own seeds but last year they didn`t germinate so we bought some from ebay in April
( Have just checked & there is only 1 seller who charges £4 so not a good deal at the moment)
& they still made a good show even though I planted them later than usual.
I plant 1 in a 3 inch pot upwards not flat, & not too deep even though they are big seeds when they have a few leaves plant them in the garden in well fertilised soil.
They like full sun & get very big so make sure you have enough room.
Remember ALL parts of this plant are extremely poisonous.

[kentvegplot]

Agree with the others - very easy to germinate (I used a seed tray first time, the seedlings nearly climbed out!)

Don't forget they are tender - and I found I needed to stake mine quite well against the odd summer storm.

I'm hoping my seed is alright for this year....

[Ouya Mellsa]

Thanks guys.....I will get some seeds!

[jojo2910]

Just got some seeds from Ebay - 10 for 99p + 95p P&P from total seeds

[Flummery]

It's the plant from which Ricin, the hugely fast and effective toxin favoured by foreign spies etc. is obtained. Be careful. It's a jungle out there!