castor beans = ricin

by plants 'n pots on March 19, 2004 07:59 PM

Happy 1st Birthday to your grandaughter! [party]

Just a reminder that every part of the castor bean plant is toxic -
ESPECIALLY the seeds,
so please be careful with your lovies!

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Lynne's knitting journal

"I'm spayed, declawed, and housebound - how's YOUR day going???"

by Jillie on March 20, 2004 02:22 PM

Happy B'day to yer GranBeebee, Catlover!!!!

Lynne, I confess, I won't get my beans in the ground until this morning as soon as I have daylight. Hollywood and I worked in the garden all day yesterday & she cleared an elevated spot on top of one of our retaining walls....perfect for big, showy plants. I'm excited. [grin]

Regarding the toxic properties of the beans: I left the seed packets outside on my potting bench for a coupla days. They got moist from the morning fog... I looked at the packets and the beans had eaten right through the paper!!! [shocked]

WOW! Potent stuff!!!

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by plants 'n pots on March 20, 2004 04:47 PM

'Morning Jillie ~

When you say "eaten through" the paper, do you mean that the seeds sprouted through it, or did the paper disintegrate where the beans were? It isn't the best quality paper, so I'm not surprised that it would go through... but still be very careful when handling. I'm always VERY CAREFUL to WASH MY HANDS IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING HANDLING these beans. I cannot believe how many of mine germinated - I went waaaaaaaaaay overboard in sowing because I wasn't sure how many would - now I'm gonna have to beg people to take some plants, but it's hard to find people who would, because they don't want to mess with the toxicity if they have children, pets, etc...

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Lynne's knitting journal

"I'm spayed, declawed, and housebound - how's YOUR day going???"

by Jillie on March 20, 2004 04:52 PM

Lynne, everywhere there was a bean touching the paper, it made a hole....wooo.... Thanks for the reminder about hand-washing after handling....45 more minutes or so and those babies are going in the ground....

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by plants 'n pots on March 20, 2004 05:04 PM

Wow Jillie! Scary stuff!!! [scaredy]

Have fun planting today -
I'M SOOOOOOO JEALOUS!

It'll be another few days before we see the ground again here - we ended up with 5 more inches of snow the last 2 storms this week. [Eek!]

I'm so happy today because it seems that ALL of the seed types I've sown indoors so far are showing some signs of life! [grin]

So I'll have at least a few of each of the types to plant out if we ever get out of this winter. [Roll Eyes]

Now, if I can only find some MORE ROOM to start more seeds....... [dunno]

I found a beautiful poppy yesterday to try - this seems to be my "year of the poppy try"... it is called "Coral Reef" and the picture shows it to look just like coral. I was always afraid to try poppies because I'd always read that they are so finicky. Well a friend of my husband's gave me some seeds 2 years ago but she didn't remember the color, and I finally potted a bunch of them up about a week ago and they all seem to be starting to germinate - I'll probably have more than I need of those too!!! [Big Grin]

Then I have the blue poppies that I mentioned in another post, and now these coral ones - great fun!

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Lynne's knitting journal

"I'm spayed, declawed, and housebound - how's YOUR day going???"

by Jillie on March 20, 2004 05:13 PM

quote:
I'm so happy today because it seems that ALL of the seed types I've sown indoors so far are showing some signs of life!

Oh, Lynne, isn't that the greatest??
Gotchur green thumb working....good for you!!!!

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by Jillie on March 20, 2004 11:08 PM

Okey-Dokey....

My Castor Beanies are planted.... [grin]

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by plants 'n pots on March 20, 2004 11:41 PM

Sounds good to me, Jillie!
I hope they grow very well for you -
my husband calls them the "jack in the beanstalk" plant because they get so large.
Mine are only in pots - are yours in pots, or did you clear space in the ground for them?
Can't wait to see what your climate does for them this summer!

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Lynne's knitting journal

"I'm spayed, declawed, and housebound - how's YOUR day going???"

by Jillie on March 20, 2004 11:55 PM

They're in the ACTUAL ground!!!

Hollywood cleared a place above our retainer wall yesterday....YAY!!!

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by plants 'n pots on March 20, 2004 11:57 PM

Full speed ahead then! [Big Grin]

Can't wait to see how huge they get!!!

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Lynne's knitting journal

"I'm spayed, declawed, and housebound - how's YOUR day going???"

by Jillie on March 21, 2004 12:00 AM

By the way...Thanks, Hunny-Bunny, for those seeds!! [kissies]

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by plants 'n pots on March 21, 2004 01:37 AM

It was my pleasure! [muggs]

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Lynne's knitting journal

"I'm spayed, declawed, and housebound - how's YOUR day going???"

by Phil and Laura on March 21, 2004 01:59 AM

Thought I'd go for my Patented, side by side comparison, and try starting some inside and some out, then to be honest, the last time I grew castor's It was in zone5/6, so maybe I should start them all inside in zone 4 [thinker]

I would like them to get as tall and showy as they did in Missouri!here the ground is only thawed on the very surface, the beauty bush and rose of sharon is very happy and leafy green under the lights in the basment [wayey]

by plants 'n pots on March 23, 2004 06:25 PM

Update on castor bean plants.

They are now growing in 3 inch pots and seem to be very happy so far. [grin]

castors

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Lynne's knitting journal

"I'm spayed, declawed, and housebound - how's YOUR day going???"

by Jiffymouse on March 23, 2004 07:28 PM

awesome lynne

by weezie13 on March 23, 2004 08:31 PM

Way to go Lynne,
They look very good!

Keep us posted, love to see how big they get!!

(Before they take you away, that is)

Weezie

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Weezie

Don't forget to be kind to strangers. For some who have
done this have entertained angels without realizing it.
- Bible - Hebrews 13:2

http://photobucket.com/albums/y250/weezie13/

by plants 'n pots on March 24, 2004 12:43 AM

Thanks guys!

Weezie - hope you're practicing baking some yummy cakes to bring me!!! [Roll Eyes]

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Lynne's knitting journal

"I'm spayed, declawed, and housebound - how's YOUR day going???"

by weezie13 on March 24, 2004 01:23 AM

How about some banana [nutz]

bread!!! hehehe

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Weezie

Don't forget to be kind to strangers. For some who have
done this have entertained angels without realizing it.
- Bible - Hebrews 13:2

http://photobucket.com/albums/y250/weezie13/

by Jiffymouse on March 24, 2004 04:31 AM

ok lynne, got my first bean "in the ground" (actually in a peat pot, but...) i'm so excited!! they are supposed to be perenial here. thanks [kissies]

for sending them!!

by Jillie on March 24, 2004 05:17 AM

Holeetamolee, Lynne, I can hardly wait for mine to come up....

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by Bill on March 24, 2004 04:29 PM

Castor Bean Ricinus communis

by weezie13 on March 24, 2004 04:55 PM

OOOH, I love my kids, but can't wait
til they are much older before I can grow
that plant, but as sooooooooooon as they are,
I'm growin' it!!!

Such beautiful color and leaves!!!!
[Eek!]

Weezie

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Weezie

Don't forget to be kind to strangers. For some who have
done this have entertained angels without realizing it.
- Bible - Hebrews 13:2

http://photobucket.com/albums/y250/weezie13/

by Jiffymouse on March 24, 2004 05:09 PM

I think they are beautiful. but... Lynne, did you know that there is a purple blooming variety? i found that out yesterday as i was planting my seeds!

by Jillie on March 27, 2004 10:39 PM

We have this dog next door....Ruby...who really isn't supposed to come onto our hillside...her owners try to control her, but she gets into this doggie "zone" and won't come when called when she's happily chasing squirrels from the base of our bird feeders.....

The beans are planted between our two houses...directly in the path Ruby takes when she's having a forbidden excursion into our yard....

She doesn't eat plants; sensible dog that she is.....but have I put her in any kind of danger by planting the beanies where she sneaks?????

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by plants 'n pots on March 28, 2004 07:10 AM

Sorry I can't help you with this question, Jillie... I haven't any experience with having the plants at ground level where creatures can get to them.

I hope it isn't a problem...

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Lynne's knitting journal

"I'm spayed, declawed, and housebound - how's YOUR day going???"

by Jillie on March 28, 2004 05:19 PM

Before the beans get sprouted, I'll warn our neighbors about the hazard of Ruby walking along the retaining wall where they're planted....
I don't want her to get sick....this is a NICE doggie....

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by weezie13 on March 28, 2004 05:39 PM

Is it in a pot or the ground??
Is it moveable???
Hate to take a chance??
Is she the type of dog that chews on plants??
(you know for roughage?? Like they eat grass?)
I thought, everything about the plant was very
poisonous, leaves, seeds especially?????

Better safe than sorry Jillie!!!
You know me, miss cautious!!

Weezie

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Weezie

Don't forget to be kind to strangers. For some who have
done this have entertained angels without realizing it.
- Bible - Hebrews 13:2

http://photobucket.com/albums/y250/weezie13/

by Jillie on March 28, 2004 06:50 PM

They're planted in the ground, at the top of our 5'6" retaining wall at the end of the patio, just inside our property line. No prob digging them up & sticking them in a big pot, if it's gonna hurt Ruby-dog......She's not a destructive doggie, very big, mannerly and sweet. She doesn't touch any foliage, only an "accidental trample" about once every two weeks when she answers the call of the wild for a squirrel-chase..... I'll talk to the neighbors today....Or , heck....maybe I'll just get'em outta there... [Confused]

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by plants 'n pots on March 28, 2004 06:54 PM

quote:
I thought, everything about the plant was very
poisonous, leaves, seeds especially?????

Yep Weezie... that's what I heard too, though I haven't heard of animals actually chewing on it-
the safest thing would be to mention it to your neighbor Jillie!

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Lynne's knitting journal

"I'm spayed, declawed, and housebound - how's YOUR day going???"

by weezie13 on March 28, 2004 07:55 PM

Jillie,
You said accidental trampling,
would a touch of the paw, on a broken
leave, stem (pieces are parts and parts are pieces)
but would the juice end up on the bottom or her
pad/paw, and would she later in her grooming practices like it/??

Just wondering, or giving extra thought if not thought about, it could very well be nothing buttttttttt.... just curious!! [dunno]

Weezie

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Weezie

Don't forget to be kind to strangers. For some who have
done this have entertained angels without realizing it.
- Bible - Hebrews 13:2

http://photobucket.com/albums/y250/weezie13/

by Jillie on March 30, 2004 04:33 PM

Yeah, I've been concerned about that, too...BUT...I saw some little miniature fencing at the home center...pretty reasonable...to edge the side of the plot next to the neighbors stairs. It's about 2' high...The neighbors told me that Ruby isn't allowed to have the chance of "bolting" now....She's only allowed out on the leash...due to her attention span...We have this adolescent coyote that's been hanging around our yards lately, so they've been watching her VERY carefully..

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by plants 'n pots on March 30, 2004 05:23 PM

Awwwww Jillie... it's so nice that you are so concerned about your neighbor pets! [kissies]

Scary about the coyotes, huh? We had a pack of about 5-6 running through our backyard a few months ago. Their cries were haunting! [scaredy]

We were very fearful for our outdoor feral cat - sometimes he disappears for a few days and we have to wonder if he's gotten into harm's way...
he usually comes to the door for breakfast and dinner like clockwork. We would take him indoors, but he's just too afraid still...

any signs of growth on your beans yet?
mine are up 6 inches now and are working on their first set of true leaves.

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Lynne's knitting journal

"I'm spayed, declawed, and housebound - how's YOUR day going???"

by plants 'n pots on July 15, 2004 08:12 PM

Here is one of my castor bean plants, on my deck in a large pot.
It is being guarded by my new Cat Chiminea - isn't he cute?

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Lynne's knitting journal

"I'm spayed, declawed, and housebound - how's YOUR day going???"

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