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Popular Mechanics" ranks the castor bean as one of the world's top 10 dangerous plants, and also named it the most likely poisonous plant to be in your garden right now because of its frequent appearance in nurseries. Although castor oil has been used as a home remedy for ages, the castor bean contains ricin, which is a poison. Ingesting castor beans can be fatal, so keep them away from pets and small children. Despite its deadly qualities, the castor bean plant is an attractive addition to the garden and grows well in the right conditions. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Find a soil site that receives plenty of sunlight.
2. Amend heavy soils with organic matter a few weeks before you plant castor beans. As noted by the Purdue Department of Horticulture, castor beans aren't too picky about the pH of the soil, but they do need good drainage conditions. Incorporate the organic matter thoroughly into the top 3 or 4 inches of the soil.
3. Soak the beans in water for 24 hours before you plant them. Soaking helps the seeds germinate faster after you plant them.
4. Plant the castor bean seeds in the spring. Castor beans need 140 to 180 days of warm temperatures to become established. Cover the beans with 1 to 3 inches of soil.
5. Water the soil thoroughly and keep it moist during the germination period. Castor beans usually emerge within 14 to 21 days.
Tags: castor bean, before plant, inches soil, organic matter, plant them