Castor tree seeds

Common name: Castor Scientific name: Ricinus communis Other names: Harwa – Kranak – Warri and Riora – Al-Ghalaba A perennial or annual plant similar to a shrub suitable for tropical and subtropical climates. It is fast-growing and reaches a height of 2-3 meters and is usually multi-branched. The leaves are mainly green and sometimes appear dark red, and are palmately lobed with full margins. • Castor tree flower: The flowers appear in summer in clusters of firm-haired balls, about 30 cm in size. • Castor tree fruit and seeds: The fruit is a capsule containing seed-like parasites. All parts of the plant are very toxic, especially the seeds, but the oil extracted from the seeds is non-toxic and used as a medicine. The fruit size is 2-3 cm. • Castor tree germination season: Castor is planted in spring and early summer because it loves heat. It can also be cultivated year-round in agricultural protected areas and enclosed or plastic places where temperature can be controlled and sunlight or adequate lighting is available. • Suitable climate and soil for planting castor: Castor seeds require high temperatures throughout the growth period, which lasts between 140 to 180 days. The soil should be clayey but not compacted, and should be permeable to water. Castor does not tolerate drought because it loves water. • How to cultivate castor: Castor propagates by seeds, which are soaked in water for a full day before planting. It is planted indoors 6 to 8 weeks early to avoid bad weather conditions. Seeds are planted at a depth of 1 to 3 cm. Castor plants should be fertilized every 4 to 6 weeks during the growth period. Watering should be about 25.4 millimeters per week during dry periods, ensuring water reaches the roots. • Its benefits and uses: Castor plants are cultivated in some places as ornamental plants, not for their seeds because they are very toxic, especially to children. Today, the cultivation of castor is mainly for obtaining seeds and extracting castor oil, which has many medical uses. The leaves and parts of the castor plant have effective properties; they are laxative, antimicrobial, and deworming, and are also used as insecticides. • Native habitat of the castor tree: Its original habitat is India, which is the leading producer of castor, followed by China and Brazil.