On 22 Apr 2006 17:49:02 -0700, "Ben"
wrote:

Some of my seeds did germinate even though it took a day or more to
sink in the float test.
So I answered my own question. LOL

Hi Ben,

I was hoping you would get some useful answers...

I've searched both online and through my reference library,
which is pretty good on this in the past. I've tried
sanding, nicking, soaking, cracking, shallow, deep, wet
paper towels... with much the same success as you have
stated. The best I can come up with is that they (Castor
Beans) have dismal germination rates. Some seeds are like
that I understand. I found only a couple
references/suggestions. One was sanding the coating thinner
and another was soaking them.

It is also a possibility that there is something wrong with
the seeds, even though they appear to be mature/okay.
However store bought seed and saved seed are about equal in
success/failure. The Castor Oil plant is of African origin,
so maybe it likes hotter,drier conditions or something else
common from there.

I know that they are grown commercially for their oil, so I
would think there would be some publications or hints on
getting them to germinate with some consistency. If you ever
find any good info/help, keep me in mind

That last couple of years I had any they were all
volunteers. All of my seeding attempts failed, using the
same seed that the volunteers most likely sprung up from.

I just like to have 2 or 3 plants as an interesting
ornamental. Once they start growing they are pretty much
bomb proof other than frost.

--
Leon Fisk
Grand Rapids MI/Zone 5b
Remove no.spam for email