Ricinus communis CASTOR BEAN (5 seeds)

Castor Bean, also known as Palm of Christ or Ricinus communis in Latin, is a fast-growing herbaceous plant in the Euphorbiaceae family. Originally from Africa, this tropical variety typically reaches 2 meters in height. While it is a perennial in warm climates, it is often grown as an annual elsewhere.

Its lush foliage consists of large, palmate leaves (30 cm long) with 5 to 9 pointed, serrated lobes, appearing in shades of bright green or deep purple with red veins.

The flowers look like small red and yellow pom-poms (2 to 3 cm in diameter) that grow in clusters starting in late June.

The fruit is a spiny round capsule that turns from green to red and finally brown when ripe. The Castor seeds are incredibly beautiful—smooth, light brown with dark brown streaks—measuring 2 to 3 cm and resembling a tick (the name Ricinus actually means "tick" in Latin).

- Uses:

Lore and Magic: Historically associated with magic and esoteric practices. Legend says that after an incantation, "Carapate oil" can regrow hair on the scalp.

Horticulture: The residue (seed cake) is used as an organic fertilizer and acts as a natural repellent against rodents and Colorado potato beetles.

Crafts: The seeds are often used in artisanal jewelry to make ethnic necklaces and bracelets, usually combined with other botanical seeds.

Do not consume for psychoactive or medicinal effects; cultivate solely for the preservation of the botanical species.

- Germination and Sowing:

• The best time to sow castor seeds is from mid-May to the end of July.
• Soak seeds for 12 hours in lukewarm water to break dormancy.
• Plant them 1 cm deep in moist seed-starting mix, ensuring the white part (the caruncle) faces downward.
• Water copiously using a sprayer.
• Keep the pots in a greenhouse at a high temperature between 30°C and 40°C.
• Germination begins within 3 to 4 weeks. Transplant into the ground once the seedlings reach 10 to 15 cm.

- Substrate / Soil Type:

It thrives in loose, well-draining soil rich in organic matter. For pot culture, ensure the bottom is layered with clay pebbles for drainage.

- Exposure / Light:

The Castor plant requires full sun. Bright light is essential for it to develop its signature large leaves and vibrant colors.

- Temperature / Hardiness:

Being a tropical plant, it thrives in temperatures between 27°C and 35°C. It stops growing if temperatures drop significantly. It is not frost-hardy (USDA zones 8b-11) and will die if temperatures drop below 0°C.

- Watering / Irrigation:

Water at the base during the first two weeks after planting. Once well-established, the plant becomes very drought-tolerant and rarely needs additional watering.

- Multiplication / Reproduction:

The Castor plant reproduces exclusively by seeds.

- Pests / Diseases:

Outdoor plants are rarely affected by pests or diseases due to their toxicity. However, in a greenhouse, they can be targeted by red spider mites or whiteflies.

- Maintenance:

At the end of October, cut back the dry stems and harvest the seeds for the following year.