Yes they did well with a spring sowing. I think I started mine around the same time I started pumpkins/melons which is around May 7th or so for me :D

Vera

I can't find any seed anymore without paying shipping. One catalog wanted $6+ as I recall.

Albert,

Do try the seed exchange forums. Someone is likely to have some and more than willing to share. I'd be surprised if that wasn't the case.

Vera,

Does this plant grow to a decent size for you? I have cool summer starts and only start getting heat in mid-late July. It's a no-deer plant so I'm interested but kind of icky about how big it would get. I'd want BIG!, but if a cool summer is going to keep it stunted I'll keep to the KMOTGGs and Amaranths.

Tiffy,

I have only done 'Carmencita' and it gets to be around 4.5-5' tall and bushy. Lots of compost and water.
It's not really tall but the deep burgundy stems and new leaves are stunning. The older huge leaves retain a burgundy tint on dark green background. I don't have any more pictures of mine, but you can google and find it.

Alberta, yes, do try exchange forums for these. I got mine from a garden webber but can't exactly say it was in the exchange forum. I think I just made a WOW comment after seeing someones' picture :D

Vera

I also winter sowed Carmencita. It reached about 7 feet tall planted in full sun and hot location. This plant seems to really like heat.

LOL, Vera it was Albert that posted the question, not Alberta.

I started 12 seeds in pots under growlights early this week in the basement. 6 zanzibariensis and 6 carmencita. I also covered the pots with a ziplock bag

Albert I have Castor on my list,you are welcome to them and it will only cost a couple of stamps!:) lmk if interested!
~Angie

So Angie, I am curious do they winter sow well for you? I'm in z6 PA too.
Thanks
Eileen

A girlsgirl....what type of castor do you have?

I have never winter sown them,it is my first year at winter sowing.I am just following all the great advice we have here and will do mine much later,probably one of the last to go out, sometime in April I assume.:)
I have what was marked "Red" and one that is "Impala",they are on my trade list.:)

if you have pets or small children be careful with the seeds because they are DEADLY toxic. 1 seed can kill.

I didn't get any castor bean planted this spring. Imagine my surprise when I noticed that one of my dahlia containers has a castor bean plant growing in it. Will have to move the castor bean soon. Must have been a seed that was thrown by the plant last fall.