The castor bean plant in the garden is a visual treat and easy to care for for the hobby gardener. You can find out how to plant and grow it here.
The variety of plants makes the garden fascinating. Each individual area invites you to take a botanical walk, during which the different plants are viewed from a different perspective. When trees, shrubs and perennials from our latitudes are paired with exotic plants, the overall impression of such a garden becomes particularly impressive. The castor bean bush (Ricinus communis) can also arouse amazing interest.
Many hobby gardeners know the castor oil plant as a miracle tree. The plant is always a small miracle. This plant is native to Northeast Africa and the Middle East. But castor oil also thrives in Central Europe. While in its ancestral home it develops into an approximately 5 meter high perennial tree, here it only grows as an annual plant. After all, the plant can be between one and two meters high.
Profile on the miracle tree
The large, splayed leaves can grow up to a size of 70 centimetres. Depending on the variety, they become shiny green to reddish and deep purple. The ricinus blooms from August to October. Meanwhile, the plant has formed large panicles of flowers. However, the flowers themselves are inconspicuous. But what catches the eye is the overall impression of the miracle tree.
On the other hand, the red-brown, thorn-armored capsule fruits that set later are attractive. The castor seeds look like tiny ticks that have sucked their fill. From them, the castor oil is obtained, which is further processed into medicines and cosmetics.
Caution: the seeds are poisonous. There are no antidotes.
❏ Choose a sunny and sheltered location
It is best to choose an absolutely sunny location for the castor bean bush. On the one hand, the plant grows well, on the other hand, its colors come into their own and shine from afar. A wind-protected place is just as important so that the large leaves and shoots are not damaged.
❏ The soil should be permeable andbe nutritious
The Miracle Tree has a high nutrient requirement. The well-drained soil should be deeply enriched with compost or manure about 2 weeks before planting.
❏ The castor bean plant will be planted from mid-May
- The miracle tree looks particularly good when you plant it alone. Wait for the ice saints and plant this attractive plant from mid-May. When planting, you can incorporate an organic long-term fertilizer, such as pellets or horn shavings.
- Bear in mind that the roots spread very quickly, so castor oil plants should not be planted too close to streams or paths.
- You can also keep the plant in a bucket, but then the miracle tree will not be as strong. Nevertheless, the shrub looks decorative on the terrace or in the background of a perennial border.
❏ Water regularly and fertilize weekly
- In principle, the castor bean bush survives longer periods of drought. This is not a problem in its ancestral home, because it has years to develop into a strong miracle tree.
- Here in Central Europe it should develop into a massive shrub in a year. Therefore, it is advisable to water it regularly. After all, the plant evaporates a lot of water through its large leaves, which has to be replenished.
- The more you water, the more lush the plant will grow. The only thing you should avoid is waterlogging, which damages the plant as a whole.
- Since the miracle tree is a heavy feeder, it has to be supplied with nutrients again and again. It is recommended to supply it with a liquid complete fertilizer every week. This is how it develops its compact growth.
❏ Roots overwinter in the ground
As soon as it gets cold in autumn, the above-ground parts of the magic flower die off, just like perennial plants. The roots with their systems for new shoots, which are below the ground, usually survive the winter undamaged and sprout again in spring. Only very hard winters can mean the end of the underground parts of the plant. Prevent this danger by covering the root area with leaves and brushwood.
❏ Overcoming castor bean in the bucket
As a container plant, you can cultivate the evergreen miracle tree for several years. However, there must be sufficient space available for this. In addition, the shrub needs enough light for the winter. The rather dark basement is completely inappropriate for this. A conservatory is bestwhich goes over two floors if possible, since the castor bean can actually be very large. While the plant in the conservatory survives the cold season, it needs to be watered abundantly. This is important because the large leaves evaporate moisture. So the soil should always be moist, but not wet.
❏ Snails - pest for young plants
The miracle tree is not attacked by diseases and pests. Although there are some pests that are up to mischief in every garden and do not stop at the bush, they do not cause any major damage to larger castor bean plants. Only snails can become a danger to young plants. To prevent this, place a snail collar around the little plant.
Conclusion: The miracle tree grows in its homeland of North Africa as an evergreen, large tree and shrub for several years. The local Central European climate only tolerates the plant quite well as an annual plant. At the end of the growing season, the above-ground part of the castor bean plant dies off. However, the roots can overwinter in the ground with their systems for new shoots without damage. To be on the safe side, you should cover the root area with leaves and brushwood to protect against extreme cold. The best way to protect young plants from snails is to use a snail collar.