I start my Castor beans around the first week of April, soaking the seeds for 24hrs first.

Rudbeckias indoors, second, third week of April, once they produce their true leaves I take them out to the greenhouse and plant them out at the end of May.

What kind of Rudbeckias do you grow, some are shorter cultivars like the Totos?

Sharon

Hi Sharon, the Rudbeckias will be of several varieties including Cappuccino, Sonora and Toto ... I HOPE they turn out much better this year!

Terry

Just my experience, I started castor bean plants in 15 oz plastic drinking cups and found that they grew well, up to a point. They get rootbound fairly quick and then they sort of stop growing. So, I think you need to keep transplanting to larger containers in order to keep them growing. I guess that's partly why you don't want to start them too early (like Feb or March).

Glen

Glen, I think I'll start the castor beans very soon and always keep in large containers so as to avoid slowing them down. I have not grown these for many years now, probably back in the early 80's ... the one year they had grown about 7 ft tall and had not froze out till Oct 10th, that was one awesome long warm summer!

Terry