Ricinus, more good germination news..

[Kristen]

Echuims too! first time trying these, they won't get the flower tower till year 2 right?

More likely 3rd year I think. Keep in pot in greenhouse for first Winter, plant out Spring of second year, fingers crossed the following winter is mild enough for them to survive ...

I have read that overwintering for 2nd Winter in pots in greenhouse doesn't really work as they are getting ready for flowering and need more root space.

[Vagetarian]

I've just discovered that the variety I'm growing is supposed to flower early.

[Kristen]

I've just discovered that the variety I'm growing is supposed to flower early.

Echiums? Do you know the early flowering variety name? and if "flowering early" is likely to compromise height? as I want big'uns

[Vagetarian]

Sorry, I was talking about my Ricinus (Carmencita Red).

[Kristen]

Sorry, I was talking about my Ricinus (Carmencita Red).

Don't apologise, you're on topic! ... unlike me

[Kristen]

I've just discovered that the variety I'm growing is supposed to flower early.

I've sown mine "late-ish" last two years, in order that they aren't huge by planting out time, but I got no seeds last year, so I am thinking that I might do 1 or 2 "early" next year and pot-on so as to be sure of some seeds.

[Vagetarian]

I couldn't resist but to try and get it big before planting

[Deedee]

5 of mine finally germinated Cordy, 4 red and 1 of the rusty colour. They are now in the Greenhouse thank Gawd..

[jimhardy]

June is normally a big month fro Castors here....

I had some grow from maybe 8-10" tall to over 6' in about 24 days once...in June.

[derrick]

I find impala does ok for me always gets to 6 7 feet i have kept them in a unheated conservatory for the winter this winter was to much for them i lost them in april i have some seeds on the move now

[jimhardy]

My favorite are the Giant Zanzibar.

One year I had one with a 42" wide leaf and last year they reached over 15'.

Next favorite is the New Zealand purple.


The Castor beans from last year.


http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm22 ... 0_5509.jpg

and the New Zealand purple,


http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm22 ... 0_5508.jpg

[cordyman]

Well its out, pot was bursting full of roots and didn't want to have the early flowering and loss of size you guys talk about, so its fending for itself next to the bamboo grove

[Deedee]

Yours is way bigger than mine cordy, well done with the echium, none of mine germinated but my one from last year has survived..

[cordyman]

Yours is way bigger than mine cordy, well done with the echium, none of mine germinated but my one from last year has survived..

Thanks Dee, I planted one of the Echiums out at weekend...






ps. cake for anyone that knows what the red and green shoots are

[pdid]

The echium will soon fill that space! Green shoots look like crocosmia.