Castor pie is gaining more and more space in gardens, vegetable gardens and also in pots. And for a specific reason that makes it really good: it is an organic fertilizer, a source of nitrogen, which releases nutrients little by little and improves the quality of the soil.
In this article, we will talk about the benefits of using castor bean pie and also prepare it correctly, to use it in the best way to fertilize your plants.
Curious about how to make the castor bean pie? So check out how to make this fertilization right now!
But, we already warn you: despite having the name of “cake” (could suggest “something to eat”), an eventual ingestion of this product by humans or even animals, can cause serious health problems and even lead to death.
What is mammon?
Castor bean is the fruit of the castor bean (Ricinus communis), originally from southern Asia, and found in almost all Brazilian territory. The state that has the highest production is Bahia.
Castor can be found in practically all regions of Brazil. It can have many uses, such as fertilization through the famous “pie”.
It is a shrub-like plant, with different stem, leaf and cluster colors. The fruits have thorns and the seeds have different sizes, shapes and colors.
All over the world, the cultivation of castor bean is used to extract the oil from the seed. But, it is also possible to use it in fertilization, through the castor bean pie, which we will quote all the details later in this article.
health hazards
By the way, as we said at the beginning of the text, castor bean is among the most toxic plants in the world, because of a toxic enzyme, the ricin.
Victims of ricin poisoning often experience vomiting, diarrhea and convulsions for up to a week before dying of organ failure, poisonous plant expert John Robertson warns.
It is one of the main causes of childhood poisoning of deaths in children and can also be lethal to animals.
Purified castor oil does not have this toxin in its composition. So much so that it is used for different purposes: industrial, in the production of lubricating materials, including the production of biodiesel that fuels vehicles; medicinal, in case of constipation problems and muscle pain; and as much as for aesthetic purposesto stimulate hair growth.
Castor oil is used in folk medicine as a purgative, in the chemical industry and as a raw material in the production of biodiesel. Castor has analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antihistamine properties.
In the case of castor bean cake, this toxin is concentrated in this by-product and its application is very useful in fertilization.
How to make homemade castor pie
To make the castor bean pie intended for fertilization, we will use the seeds. Because castor bean is toxic to humans, care must be taken when handling it.
If possible, wear a mask and gloves. In addition, carry out the entire process of separating the seeds in an open and well-ventilated place.
When handling the castor bean, in the preparation of the pie, the person must be very careful. Preferably, wear gloves because it is a very toxic plant.
Remove all the seeds from the bunch, put them in a tissue or plastic, and crush the seeds, with the aid of a hammer, until they are well crushed.
This process makes it easier for the castor oil to come out. Then you should lightly toast the seed. There are two options: let it dry in the sun or put it in a mold and dry it in the oven. But, remember to be careful not to burn the seeds.
The seeds should be removed from the oven when they are completely dry and all the oil has been extracted. Then, the ideal is to grind a little more until it forms a more homogeneous substance and facilitates application to plants.
If you have a blender for the specific purpose of preparing fertilizer, beat the product until it has a more crushed consistency, and with that the castor pie is ready.
No video below, see the step by step of how to make the castor pie at home:
Source: ABC of Bonsai.
The benefits to plants
Castor pie does not have toxic potential in the soil. In fact, it has about 40% protein, which contains nitrogen. Total nitrogen alone is 6% on average.
The advantage is that these are the nutrients that plants most need to grow in a strong and vigorous way.
In addition to its fertilization effect, due to the excessive amount of protein plus a percentage of sufficient nitrogen, there is also an effect that was not known a while ago: the nematicide.
In this way, there is an inhibitory effect that kills the nematodes, those parasites that stay in the ground and can feed directly on the roots of the plant. Fertilizing with castor bean cake eliminates these parasites.
To produce castor pie, the seeds must be dried in the sun or using an oven.
Fertilizer is also considered a soil conditioner, that is, it improves the general quality of the soil, facilitating aeration, controlling moisture, and better retaining nutrients.
Unlike other fertilizers
The main nutrient that castor bean cake replaces in the soil is nitrogen, with a higher amount compared to chemical fertilizers. Therefore, nitrogen releases nutrients gradually, keeping the soil moist, being one of those responsible for plant growth.
Thus, there is a big difference in this castor bean pie compared to chemical fertilizers and other minerals used in fertilization, such as urea.
When you apply urea, the plant has to use it all right away or the product ends up going away. As a result, nitrogen is released very quickly. Thus, part of this important material in fertilization ends up being lost in the soil.
Manures, for example, are the famous organic fertilizers, but they also have a negative factor, as they take a long time to release that nitrogen to the plants. That way, the plant may end up not using the nitrogen when it needs it.
Advantage of castor pie
Castor bean cake, on the other hand, enters an intermediate nitrogen release. It takes around 3 months to release all the hydrogen inside it, and it takes place over time as the plant needs it.
As we said above, if you release all the hydrogen at once to the plants, they cannot use it all at once and this nutrient ends up being wasted.
In addition, castor bean husks form a layer of organic matter in the soil, which improves soil structure.
In this way, it directly contributes to the water retention capacity of the soil, mainly in the composition and formation of microorganisms.
Castor pie with bone meal
There is yet another interesting tip in the preparation of castor bean pie: mix it with bone meal.
Bone meal helps in the development of the roots and stem of the plant, in addition to preventing the acidity of the soil. Therefore, in this mixture, in addition to nitrogen (from castor beans), another nutrient is added to the soil: calcium.
Even so, it is advisable to check the manufacturer’s information on the bone meal packaging and, if possible, carry out a soil analysis before applying the fertilizers.
How to apply to mamona cake
To make the fertilization, in fact, it all depends on the amount of soil you have in the pot, its size or if you are planted in the ground and mainly on the size of the plant that will receive this fertilizer. In this way, we will mention some doses that must be applied.
In vegetable gardens, flower beds and lawns, before planting, the ideal is to apply about 300 ml, that is, more or less 20 tablespoons per square meter.
As soon as you apply the castor bean pie in the soil, stir it well until it is incorporated into the soil and wait 15 days before planting.
The application in the vase depends a lot on the size. But, consider one to three tablespoons. In the interval between one to two months, you apply this fertilizer again.
If you’ve already made your castor pie, it’s time to learn more about how to fertilize your vegetable garden or any other type of planting. Check it out on video below:
Source: Mundo Verde Organic Garden.
Conclusion
Did you like the article on how to prepare castor bean pie and its benefits in fertilization?
Just remembering that, if you don’t have time or raw material available, this fertilizer can be easily purchased at gardening houses and supermarkets. At MF Rural you will also find several options.
When it comes to fertilizer, our suggestion is also to access our article on how to fertilize with manure, another good alternative in replacing industrial fertilizers.
