Castor bean can also be overwintered. But as a rule it is cultivated as an annual in this country and has to be sown again every year. Growing this poisonous plant is easy if you know how to do it
How can I successfully grow castor bean?
To grow castor bean, you should sow the seeds in January after soaking them in warm water for 24 hours. Plant the germinated seeds in nutrient-rich, well-drained soil and water regularly. Fertilize every 1 to 2 weeks and protect against slugs.
The right time for cultivation
It is ideal to grow the seeds as early as possible. If they are sown in January, you will get large castor bean plants of considerable size and therefore more flowers and fruits by summer. These fast-growing plants can be sown by July at the latest. However, sowing after May is not advisable.
Preparing the seeds for sowing
Before you sow the seeds in spring, which you can harvest from your own plants in the fall or buy, you can shorten the germination time by soaking the seeds in warm water for about 24 hours. They have a hard seed coat that softens with water.
Sowing, moistening and waiting
The seeds are put into the ground. They are dark germs. The substrate should now be kept moderately moist for the next few days. The seeds will germinate within a few days in a warm place. A bright place is then the top priority.
Planting out or repotting the young plants
So it continues:
- Plant out from May (sensitive to frost)
- choose a sunny and wind-protected location
- Soil should be nutrient-rich and permeable
- Mix soil with compost (€12.00 on Amazon), stable manure or horn shavings
- alternatively grow in pots and later containers (choose small varieties)
Care in the first few weeks
In the near future, it is important that you water your castor bean plants regularly. The earth should not dry out. The miracle tree also needs a lot of nutrients. When growing in containers, fertilize it every 1 to 2 weeks. No further care is necessary.
Tip
When direct sowing - less recommended - you should cover the young plants at night in the first few weeks, for example with clay pots. Snails particularly like to eat young castor bean plants