bists
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Posts: 108
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Post by bists on Feb 12, 2011 9:55:51 GMT
Morning all I've got loads of saved seed of Ricinus if anyone is interested. The seeds themselves are gorgeous and make statuesque plants about 6ft tall outside (tender). Let me know if you'd like any....I usually sow in April/May and they tend to germinate in about 3 days!!! Just be aware that all parts of the plant/seed are poisonous  This is a pic of mine growing in the Orangery at work....with protection it got to 12ft. bists |
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Post by Geranium on Feb 12, 2011 10:15:25 GMT
Bists, I would love some, please! I tried to get some to germinate last year with no success. I gather that you have to soak them before you plant them, so I hope I can get some going this year. ;D
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Post by Lou78W on Feb 12, 2011 10:27:08 GMT
I would love a few too Bists  ....will pm you my address ;D |
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Post by floydie on Feb 12, 2011 11:00:59 GMT
I would love some too please (will be a front garden plant i think  ). I'll pm you |
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bists
Full Member
Posts: 108
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Post by bists on Feb 12, 2011 13:14:05 GMT
Will despatch to you all on Monday (seeds are at work)
For growing /germination, I usually sow 2 seeds in a 3inch pot, and then leave somewhere warm....I find the germination really rapid....but once germinated make sure they get enough light or the seedlings really etiolate. They need potting on regularly (every 2 weeks i find is not unusual!!)....and finally when you plant them out, stake them....I forgot last year and although they grew, they did have 's' shaped curves in the stem!!!!!....but then again, very exposed in the gardens where i grow them!!!!
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Post by Geranium on Feb 12, 2011 13:18:01 GMT
Thank you, bists!  |
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Post by wildlifefriendly on Feb 12, 2011 17:06:31 GMT
I would love some please if you have enough.
What temperature does the Orangery drop down to in the winter?
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Post by Lou78W on Feb 12, 2011 17:30:33 GMT
Thank you Bists.....you'r a star |
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Post by floydie on Feb 12, 2011 18:16:53 GMT
TY |
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bists
Full Member
Posts: 108
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Post by bists on Feb 12, 2011 19:15:10 GMT
The Orangery has 2 wings, the east wing I allow to drop down to about 5C in winter, it contains Oranges, lemons, limes, mandarins, loquat, Bauhinia, Stephonotis and 3 double cordon grapevines - the grapevines need the lower temp to ensure they flower the following year, and the citrus plants dont mind.
The west wing is much more tropical and contains five different banana varieties, cyperus papyrus, a giant Swiss Cheese Plant (with fruit on!!), a Megeskepasma (horrible name - gorgeous plant), strelitzia reginae (grown from seeds and at last flowering after 8 years!!)and loads of different ginger plant - many grown from seed.
The central wing of the Orangery contains a Kitchen and dining area for when the owner has parties!!! We tend to use it as our Gardeners cafe!!!When I get time to take more photos, I'll put some on my blog
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Post by wildlifefriendly on Feb 12, 2011 19:54:54 GMT
That is interesting, I wouldn't class my conservatory as an Orangery, it is more of a covered garden. My cheese-plant produces fruit, I love the taste but can't cope with the slimy texture.
I have no heating in there but it doesn't drop below 0. I'd love it to be 20 times larger, it always amazes me how harmless pot plants turn into triffids when there roots are given room.
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Post by steve on Feb 12, 2011 20:43:09 GMT
I don't like the acid in the fruit that seems like chards of glass!  |
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Post by wildlifefriendly on Feb 12, 2011 21:01:53 GMT
It did ripen then? Every once in a while I think about asking but I never remember when I'm at the computer  |
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bists
Full Member
Posts: 108
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Post by bists on Feb 12, 2011 21:59:10 GMT
Hope you let the fruit rippen for a year....contains toxic amounts of oxalic acid if not rippened for long enough!!!
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Post by wildlifefriendly on Feb 12, 2011 22:20:05 GMT
Oh! I just wait until they look ripe, the skin peals away and the fruit inside is slimy and sweet.
Because of the texture I have never eaten much.
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....will pm you my address ;D
).
