May 10, 2008


Welcome to our Castor Bean page...a special section of Wuv'n Acres©

First and foremost we emphasize the seeds and plants of the Castor Bean are poisonous.
We encourage you to read and research and be aware of what you are growing.
These seeds are not for irresponsible gardeners.

For detailed information about ordering, click here.

Photo by Karen Manasco 2007

Wub and Cody measure a Castor Bean by the road. Fifteen feet tall and counting!
Two seeds were planted side by side in April. This picture was taken in October.
Yes, fifteen feet tall in six months. No fertilizer, no chemicals. Just ordinary soil.
Zone 7-ish. Imagine if we had fed the silly thing!
The plant above was still growing as of November 13, 2007, frost was a certain demise!.

Click images for larger version of the pictures.

Images from our customers!

Photo by Mr. & Mrs. Esau 2006 Photo by Mr. & Mrs. Esau 2006
A grand example of what our customers grow!

Mr. and Mrs. Donald Esau of Nebraska were kind enough to share a few photographs of the castor bean plants they grew from our seeds.
Mr. Esau reports they grew 16-18 feet tall with leaves 3 feet across!

You can see for yourself that a majestic and beautiful plant will emerge and grow from a small seed about the size of a fingernail.
Indeed grand! Thank you so much, Mr. and Mrs. Esau, for sharing these glorious photos with Wuv'n Acres. If you have photos you'd like to
share on our website, send them our way and we'll be sure to credit the photo for you.



A few of the beautiful hues of the castor bean, one of many varieties we grow each summer.
The growth progress of a few castor beans in 2007:
(Click on images for a larger view)

Planted and sprouted, small but determined. April 2007 Not much going on, May 2007 Getting bigger by the day, with all the rain we've had. June 2007 July 2007 August 2007 September 2007 October 2007 November 2007

Purchase your seeds at any time of the year.
They will keep in a cool dry place until spring.
Be sure to keep them away from anyone who might consume them, as they are poisonous!

Don't forget, we have a very diverse garden thanks to our Honeybees!

PLEASE NOTE
We reserve the right to refuse shipment of these oilseeds out of the United States. Certainly we do not wish to imply a thing by such
a rule, please understand many countries prohibit import of garden seeds, with Castor Beans no doubt on top of such a list. For additional
information before ordering out of the U.S. click here.

These seeds are sold for the sole intention of ornamental foliage in a garden setting and prevention of garden pests such as moles. We keep
records of all sales for castor beans and will not hesitate to provide such records to authorized law enforcement or other professionally
licensed investigative parties in the event these seeds have been used in a manner other than which they were intended, which is strictly
for garden beauty.

Basically, if you are gardening with them and have no ill intent, there should be nothing to worry about.

_________________________________________________________

- Castor Bean - GIANT ZANZIBARENSIS / ZANZIBAR - 5 SEEDS - $3.00 Ricinus communis zanzibariensis
Whew! Close call! Our own garden seed supply was exhausted, but a fellow gardener has provided us with seeds of this beauty for our customers!
Saved by the bell! This gorgeous hunk of a plant features large leaves, large seeds , and a fabulous show! It is by far the most
popular castor seed we have available. A tough stalk supports all the huge leaves and big clusters of seed pods. Stunning!
Typically mainly green, this supply may show stems and veins in red or fuchsia as well.


Castor Bean - CASTOR BEAN VARIETY PACKAGE - 10+ SEEDS - $3.00 Ricinus communis
It has been a bountiful year, so we are thrilled to share the bounty with our customers! For a limited time only, this package will contain 10 seeds. While I cannot guarantee you will receive specific
varieties, I will try to include many different seeds in various colors and sizes. A great package if you wish for diversity. Typically, the
larger the seed - the larger the plant.

Castor Bean - CASTOR BEAN STRAIGHT RUN PACKAGE - 10+ SEEDS - $3.00 Ricinus communis
As the season progresses, our variety begins to dwindle and thus we end up with a large quantity of standard seeds. This package is great for those who wish to grow Castor Beans but aren't particular about the colors. Normally this package includes
a high concentration of green, but in 2007 we have added a bit of color to the package thanks to our diverse bounty.

- Castor Bean - RICINUS RED SHADES - 5+ SEEDS - $3.00 Ricinus communis
Beautiful shades of red, light red, dark red with foliage of green with red ribs and veins. Inflorescence color ranges from a dark pink
to a deep pink / red. Too much a toss to call it one or the other, so this is why we've used the term 'shades' in our description. Gorgeous!


- Castor Bean - #46 - 5+ SEEDS - $3.00 Ricinus communis
I have kept my eyes on this one because the seed pods were so unique, the seed balls were literally round. The carpels were thicker than
any seeds we've ever grown, and they explode open with greater force than the others. Interesting tidbit, the foliage is green, but the
veining and stalks are a color I just can't put my finger on. It is not red, not purple, but more of a very deep reddish pinkish fuchsia,
if you will. I'm sorry, I just can't figure out what to call the color. The plants average six to seven foot tall at the time of measuring,
which was in mid August. However, we've been without rain and have not watered regularly as of late, so they could very well get much
bigger if watered and fertilized well. Naturally that applies to any plant, but we're recognizing the potential for greater size because
the stalks were very thick. After the stalk has formed, the young foliage is very pretty, a bronze-red like color which later somehow changes to mainly green.


- Castor Bean - #35 - 5+ SEEDS - $3.00 Ricinus communis
Another unique plant due to the long spines on the seed pods. While they all have spines, these were the longest I've seen in all my
years of growing castor bean plants. The foliage is green, but the leaves are definitely smaller than other plants.
The stalks have a streaky red appearance. While I'm not sure the long spikes bear any significance to a differing variety, they sure caught my attention.

- Castor Bean - #24 - 5+ SEEDS - $3.00 Ricinus communis
Look at the seed pods and know that I have not altered the color. Yep, they look the same color in my garden. It's almost as though
there are light blue and light green seed balls on the stalk. Speaking of the stalk, it also has a chameleon appearance, as the stalk
looks light pink. When I wipe the white coating off, it looks red. Hmm. The foliage is green, but with a tiny hint of pinkish red
in the center of the leaf.

Seeds above which are labeled with numbers are special selections. We grow many castor beans and we try to keep them labeled correctly according to variety. However, in all the research I have done, I have come to the conclusion that there are many varieties out there which are mislabeled, and yes, I may even unknowingly do the same for some. This creates a problem in selling seed, because what one calls Carmencita Red, another calls pink and so on. It is also my opinion that several varieties are not widely grown, and thus not many know exactly what the proper names should be. As the numbered seeds do not truly fit into any of the named cultivar categories I have yet to find, they are simply listed by a number, which is a specific plant in our garden. We are not claiming to have created any new species, we're simply acknowledging the fact that some of these vary in height and color pattern too much to be considered a specific cultivar.

Castor Bean - CASTOR BEAN - MOLE PREVENTION - 10+ SEEDS / PCS. - $2.00 Ricinus communis
This particular package of seeds are a combination of non viable, broken, or immature for seeds not for planting, but still very useful as mole repellant. If you have trouble with those pesky little things in your yard and garden, a few seeds of the castor bean will assist in their departure. Place seeds and seed pieces in the burrows of these moles. Please note that I am all for more humane methods, but offer these seeds as a last resort to rid your garden of moles.



Out of stock??? What do you mean, out of stock???
These seeds seem to be out of stock all the time, why?

Over the years, our customers have learned that if they want the cream of the crop, they have to get the seeds at harvest time.
Many gardeners realize finding castor bean seeds can often be very difficult, and so they have learned to order early.

In late summer, and typically by at least September / October, we have harvested just about all of the seeds.
It is this time the orders for seeds roll in. While we have had to raise our shipping rates, please know the one time charge
pays for your entire seeds order, and we are always generous with seed count.

If you are hoping to get a particular package of seeds, you might consider checking back to our site in August of each year.
I try hard to keep the site updated as we harvest and as we run out of stock.


Click any of the images to view a larger version:








  • A side by side taken a few months apart several years ago



    • When things are very busy for me, I often leave the carpel (hard shell) on the seeds. Fear not, you can easily remove them. Be sure to use
    common sense and be careful when using any tool, folks. Simply place the edge of a knife blade (or other strong tool with a flat edge)
    on top of the section where the knife tip rests in this photo:



    Pull the blade towards yourself, using the edge of the blade to pull back on the little nub on the castor bean. The nub will release,
    then you can separate the dried carpel from the seed. You can also use a strong thumbnail to do this. Be careful, you may even wish to wear
    gloves - the spines of the carpel are often sharp. Be sure to wash your hands after touching the seeds and / or carpels.

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    Or you may order online instantly with Paypal!

    Note....many pictures are on this webpage. Be patient. Go get yourself a cup of coffee or let the dog out.
    When you return, the page should be loaded. You'll love all the pictures we provide, we promise!

    A castor bean is often given a bad rap and left out of gardens
    because of it's toxicity. Yes, it is poisonous.
    But why would you eat it???



  • Tyson next to Zanzibar leaves 2001
  • A very thick stalk
  • Cody with a yard stick and a big castor 2000
  • Tyson holding Mr. Sexy 2000


    • RICINUS COMMUNIS (ry-cih-nus ka-myu-nuhss)

    Scared of planting these because of what you've heard? Egads, poisonous? Harmful? Deadly?
    Yes, if you eat the seeds. Simply cut the seed stalks off before they grow. Now wasn't that easy?
    Let's get back to gardening, shall we?



  • Beautiful hues of purple, bronze and red!





  • Cody amongst the foliage 2001
  • Castor bean "ristras" saved from the approaching frost





  • Various shades of the stalk colors we grow




    • Beautiful seed pods forming, taking on a red-pink tinge!

    A member of the spurge family...

    Euphorbiaceae
    Ricinus communis



  • Image by Thomas S.
  • Tyson by the castors 2001





  • Top of photo shows young castor plant
  • Emerging seed * Young seedling
  • Photo on right shows castors killed by frost




    • The various hues in the leaves are amazing!

    Short growing season in your area? Start them indoors for a big jump start! Gigantic and fast growing.



  • Assorted varieties of castor beans / seeds


    • This is such an interesting plant! Soak the seeds overnight and bury them.



    Note the white filmy tissue which coats the seedling leaves. This will fall off or you can assist if your seedling if
    doesn't seem to be able to shed it before it dries.

    Below is a castor just a few weeks old:



    Soon your large leafed beauty is on it's way. Best treated as an annual, though often volunteer here in Oklahoma.
    Each Spring I find them popping up in my garden!



    Seed pods typically have three seeds, but I grew this five seed pod in the summer of 2001.
    Four chamber pods are pretty common oddities around here as well.

    A hardy perennial in the warmer climates. I strap mine to the chain link with cable ties when they are younger
    to protect them from strong winds & keep them growing straight when facing northern winds.

    Dense leaf coverage, excellent shade for poultry.
    We have many pets and have yet to find one of them interested in eating our plants.
    Fear not for Fido.

    Gorgeous statement if several are planted together as a focal point in your yard or garden.
    Changed your mind about planting them?
    Just cut them down, and they are gone. Though I live in zone 6-7, I was amazed to see many castors voluntarily pop up in Spring!
    Looks like they're quite a hardy self-seeding annual!

    Stalks may be green, mint, pink, red, mottled and more! The stalks are incredibly thick.
    My Zanzibar castors have reached to 15 feet without fertilizer! Size depends upon soil and weather conditions.

    Wait 'till you see the seed pods! Gorgeous!

    Harvested from my own trees!




    THESE SEEDS AND PLANTS ARE POISONOUS


    But actually, so are many plants you already have right now, but you wouldn't eat them, would you?
    Though the castor has a bad reputation for it's toxicity, there are number of poisonous plants right in your own home.
    You teach your child not to eat certain things. Make sure he or she knows not to eat plants, too!

    Not advised for persons with horses or livestock; they may eat the plants, pods or seeds.

    Also known as Castor oil plant / Bush / Tree, Castor bean, Eranda, Gana Garchak, Higuerilla, Hintyagi Agaci,
    Huile Ricin, Jarak, Christi or Pei, Khirwe, Palma Sittamoonaka Ma, Pi Ma, To-Goma, Tartago, Ricino

    But we'll just stick with 'castor bean'

    HOW TO GROW CASTOR BEANS...

    Plant them, water them. It's that easy.

    If you want to get technical or live in a cold area, you might play around with different methods, but they do
    require warm soil to germinate. While they tolerate drought, they perform quite well in warm weather with regular watering.


    If you begin your seeds indoors in peat pellets, watch out.
    Some of the castor bean varieties seem to take off like crazy, while others may just sit there doing nothing for weeks.
    This is good and bad. The good thing is, that means your seeds are healthy. But you have to watch the roots, castor beans develop
    very vigorous roots in a short period of time. If they are developing roots which have grown outside the peat pot,
    transfer them to a plastic pot. When warm weather arrives, simply transplant them to a full sun location.




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    New project underway to help sort the multitude of names out there for castor beans:

    BLACK BEAUTY DARK BROWN LEAVES TURN GREEN?
    CARMENCITA DEEP RED, REDDISH BROWN LEAVES 6' TALL
    COCCINEUS BRONZE LEAVES
    DWARF RED SPIRE
    GIBSONII MIRABILIS 4' TALL DARK RED LEAVES AND STEMS
    GREEN SPIRE
    IMPALA 4-5 FEET, REDDISH PURPLE , MAROON TO CARMINE YELLOW BLOOMS
    NEW ZEALAND DEEP COPPER RED IN ALL PARTS
    RED SPIRE
    ROYAL THAI
    SANGUINEUS DEEP RED
    SCARLET GREEN BURGUNDY
    SCARLET QUEEN BURGUNDY