Question
Hi tom can you tell me I have started some caster bean plants from seed and I want to plant them in the front of my house. Witch ony gets direct sun from about noon on my house faces west and I live in southern Ontairo (ajax) I really like the look of these plants my buddy has them around his pool and they look tropical any growing or feeding tips would be great i have taken them out today april 21 tempture 23 celcius but just for the day and then back in the house under the lights for 18 hours a day.Is that a good thing or a bad thing. someone told that I should keep my started plants under the light for 18 hours a day till may 24 then plant outside is that right thanks robert

Answer
Hi Robert,
Thanx for your question.  As long as the temperatures don't fall below 10 C and your plants are at least 6-8 inches tall, leave them outdoors.  They'll do best.  I think you are in USDA Zone 5 (outskirts of Toronto? I'm in the U.S., Kansas).  I've grown castor beans (ricinus) on many occasions.  I agree with you.  I love the tropical look of them and they grow fast.  The hotter the better.  They tolerate drought but if you water them regularly, they'll do really well.  I've had mine get 10-12 feet tall.  When you take plants outdoors started indoors make sure you place them in a place that is protected from direct sunlight for 10 days.  It's okay to take them in at night if it is going to get really cold, but, I'd leave them out.  Your last frost is between April 30 and May 15th isn't it?  Ours is April 10th here and I started taking my plants out and leaving them once I knew there wasn't going to be a frost.  "We had a late frost over a week ago and I had to bring my tomato, pepper and eggplant seedlings in for 5 days.  Now it sounds like your plants are going to get about 8 hours of sunlight a day which is fine but castors prefer direct sunlight all day long.  The eight hours is fine though.  They don't have any special feeding requirements.  A balanced 12-12-12 fertilizer applied according to the directions on the box should be sufficient.  I hope this helps.
Tom