A Gardeners Forum Forums Gardening Reference Gardening in 2005 help with castor bean plants

my castor bean plants are just beautiful, standing about 6' plus tall, this is my first year with them and was wondering what to do for them as winter approaches? any ideas would be greatly appreciated......one more question....same question applies to my datura's, do i cut them back? let the seeds fall first??
Thank You, Linda

Hi Linda,

my castor beans are looking great too.They won't make it through the winter though,sorry.

I usually start digging mine up in late October.
The stalks are hollow,kinda like bamboo.You can save them for stakes.

Save your seeds for next year.btw ,if you don't know.the seeds are toxic.

hi duckie.....oh dear!! i'm so disappointed. for some reason i thought they would atleast self sow. do the seeds have to be take out of those prickly pods? or will they break open on their own? hmmmmmmm.... plant stakes, thats a great idea duckie! thanks for your help!
Linda