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| Good evening folks. It's my first time to own Castor Beans seeds. I would like to really have a successful germination of these seeds. I would like to know how I should prepare the dirt once I direct sow them. And also, I'm in Chicago, when do you suggest me to put the seeds in ground?
Thanks! Neil |
Follow-Up Postings:
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| Neil, do I remember correctly that you were planning these as part of a mixed perennial/shrub planting in a new island bed design? I don't know what kind of soil you have, but working compost in to a new bed is never a bad idea - both sandy and clay based soils will benefit from the addition of more organic material. One old saying is 50 cent plant in a $5 hole, meaning take the time to prepare for planting - it's much easier than planting and wishing years later you'd done more soil prep. You'll want to loosen soil to a depth of several inches. If your planting area ends up a little high, that's fine, it will settle with watering, rains, and further decomposition of the composted material. If direct sowing, wait until after your last predicted frost date - they are not going to germinate until your soil warms. And I'll just add, I remembered the design plan you mentioned in another post because I wasn't convinced that was good placement for castor bean....unfenced front yard. I'm in between a grade school and a park, and while I don't have children often unattended in my garden, it's not beyond possibility and the toxic pods would concern me. |
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| Also, soak seeds overnight before sowing them. |
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- Posted by v1rtu0s1ty Zone 5a, Northern IL (My Page) on Tue, May 5, 09 at 22:02
| Thanks morz8! Should I warm the water before I soak the seed? Then change it after 12 hours and warm it again? And yes, I will be thinking about the placement of this plant. I'm actually thinking of putting a sign saying all plants here are poisonous! Please do not touch nor eat! :) |
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| Warm water from the tap to begin with should be fine, for an overnight soak you really shouldn't have to change water - just give it a head start on softening the seed coat. |
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- Posted by v1rtu0s1ty Zone 5a, Northern IL (My Page) on Tue, May 5, 09 at 22:52
| Thanks! I will keep you posted. :) |
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- Posted by v1rtu0s1ty Zone 5a, Northern IL (My Page) on Fri, May 8, 09 at 0:04
| hi morz, I placed the castor bean seeds on a warm water. All of them are floating. Is this normal? Are the seeds good? Please let me know. Thanks, Neil |
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- Posted by v1rtu0s1ty Zone 5a, Northern IL (My Page) on Fri, May 8, 09 at 12:42
| OMG, I can't believe what I am seeing. The warm water and soaking of the seeds really work. The white end part of the seeds is getting bigger. :D Here is the pic. It's the 12th hour they've been soaked. By the way, I've read that they don't like cold. Assuming in 4 or 6 days, I have seedlings. Then the following week, there is a forecast that it will go below 40F, how do we protect the seedling?
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| They do look happy to have received some water. If you do have seeds sprouting from direct sowing and are concerned about temps overnight in the 40's, you can always place an upside down pot or bucket over them in the evening - will give you a few degrees protection. |
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- Posted by v1rtu0s1ty Zone 5a, Northern IL (My Page) on Fri, May 8, 09 at 20:54
| Awesome! I never thought about that! ;) I've sowed the seeds in the ground. Do I water them everyday? Thanks again! :D |
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