I grew 'Carmencita Red' for a couple of years and always got large leaves. But my friend had a plain green plant that got humongous leaves. Is the plant you grew this year from seed of last years plant? Is this a different variety than what you grew last year? They do like it hot. Did you start this plant as soon as your growing season started? There's always someone in the area that's growing this plant. Scout your neighborhood for the plant and beg for some leaves. Good luck! Billie

Thanks Billie. I purchased new seed. I haven't been letting my plant develop seeds. Thought it was safer that way but probably doesn't matter. My plant is probably about 4 ft tall now and leaf size is about the same as a month ago. I suppose it is too late to start anything from seed now. I have thought about it though.

Last year my plant's leaf was all green and, as you said, humongous. Thanks for your reply. Marie

I am not very educated on this subject but I think there must be different plants. I have the red leaves too and they aren't real big. Maybe 12" across. The plants I got the seeds from last year were a little bigger. I was hoping for larger leaves too. Weather has been really different here and I know there also. I'm in the Branson area. I'd like to blame it on that. My plants aren't even very tall, but they are flowering. Over on the seeds for trade forum there are people asking for "zanziliar caster beans" seeds. Maybe we need to find a source for them next yr. Doesn't help this yr.

Two things that help with the production of large castor bean leaves: early planting and monthly feeding with diluted fish emulsion.

Check around to find out if you have a local water delivery service that brings water in those mostly-clear 5-gallon plastic bottles. Ask if they have some slightly damaged ones they would give you: cracked, puppy-chewed necks, etc. Drill a 1/4" hole on the size near the bottom, then insert the blade of a sabre saw and carefully go around it and cut off the bottom. About a month or so before you can usually plant your your young starts (sprout indoors), you can plant outdoors with this little 'greenhouse' over it. I usually add 3 large stones around the stem, of sizes that will still allow the bottle to be placed over the plant (with the stones inside). The stones absorb heat during the day and release it at night, helping to buffer lower temperatures. If you think it might be getting too cold, cover the top opening of the bottle with a stone or piece of wood, etc, but remember to remove it the next day when temps start to warm up.

Fish emulsion is usually mixed at 1 Tbsp of concentrated emulsion to 1 gallon of water. Be sure to shake the jug first to mix the contents before you measure out the concentrate, as the stuff separates quite badly. Pour this diluted mix over the leaves of the plant and around the root zone every 3 weeks.

Sue

Thanks for the responses. I have concluded that I planted a different varieta. The plant is now 6 feet tall and the leaves are no larger. The leaves I grw last year were up to 36". I have tried to find some locally but no luck. Have to do it right next year. Marie

There are different varieties of Castor Bean. If you get on
Ebay and do a search for: Giant Zanzibar Castor Bean, you
should find seeds for next year. I got some from him last
year and the plants got 12 feet tall and had leaves up to
38 inches across. I cast 24, 30, and 37 inch concrete leaves.
I made a silicone mold of the smaller one, and use it to
make bird baths.

Robb