A rich and well-draining soil encourages best performance of the plants. http://www.gardengatemagazine.com/articles/how-to/start-seeds/how-to-harvest-and-plant-milkweed-seeds/, How to Propagate Rex Begonias from Leaf Cuttings. The brown dried pod in the upper left is just beginning to split open — perfect to harvest the seed. Any ideas on how to plant that many at one time?
Is it possible to take the milkweed seeds that I have collected and am not going to plant and instead of cold stratifying them in the refrigerator put them in plastic bags outside but inside a plastic storage bench? Just be sure to poke holes in the containers so excess water can drain off. They were outside all winter and both resulted in many healthy plants. Plant into containers, if desired, and place under a grow light inside about six weeks before soil temperatures outside have warmed. Plus, diversity is best for a healthy garden. Seeds from some species require cold stratification, so if you let the seeds disperse they will sit dormant in the garden until spring. “Native milkweeds simply don’t do well in containers,” said George Cates, seed wrangler at the seed farm and land restoration company in the Hill Country town of Junction. thanks Thanks so much, Nina.
Hi Nina, the only treatment native milkweed seeds need is cold moist stratification, which they should get naturally through a cold, snowy northeastern winter. Step 1: Harvest seed pod from milkweed plant. Be sure to use a weatherproof garden marker (intended for outdoor use) so your labels don’t rinse away over winter. The Monarch Lab recommends searching for milkweed plants along roadways, railroad tracks, bike paths, parks and vacant lots where it typically grows wild. Milkweed is a lovely wildflower and the sole host plant for Monarch butterfly caterpillars. I am not new to gardening, but I’ve lived in an apartment the last 10+ years with little opportunity to plant anything. If you miss the window of opportunity for fall planting, winter sowing milkweed seeds is also an option. This gives you a nice head start the following spring. Milkweed seeds do need a period of cold-treatment in order to germinate well, so if you live in a warm climate, cold-treat your seeds inside. Step 3: Plant your seeds.
Hi Tony!
The pods on both my milkweed and butterfly weed plants are beginning to open so I’ve gently tied them shut in order so the seeds won’t fly away. Growing plants from seed are one of the most economical ways to add plants to your garden. Transplant outside when the ground warms. I used your technique above (along with several pods which I simply let fly wherever they wanted). Tropical will overwinter indoors easily. good luck!
I have many milkweed plants in my garden which seem to naturally increase each year. My question is, since most of our plants are either in large containers or 4 x 2 boxes, can the milkweed be planted in a large container? good luck!
First knuckle? 5. Collecting Seeds. As well as got the seed pods that appeared later. Keep the soil moist by misting, but seeds can rot if allowed to sit in soggy soil. When you are ready to plant, it is like planting any other wildflower seed. Choose a self-contained area in the garden that isn’t in the middle of an existing garden bed. These are some of your milkweed options:
going to try to plant some seeds today have lots and lots of seeds, i already put some in the ground the ? I had 100 Monarchs this year and had to pay about $300 to buy more milkweed from our 2 local vendors. There is no special equipment, and there are no little pots and flats to mess with. I will also plant a few outside in Nov like you said.
Hi Diane, I use refrigerator stratification 1-2 months before planting. I purchased the seed from a reputable garden store on line. These varieties include tropical milkweed, swan milkweed, goose plant, and giant milkweed. Common Milkweed (Asclepias Syriaca) - This is a bold, attractive plant with broad leaves and large clusters of pink blossoms. Is that advisable? You could also put off planting until just before the ground freezes or before your first major snowstorm. Measuring between holes: Make the letter L with your thumb and forefinger. Any species in the milkweed family will do, but the easiest to grow is the common milkweed, Asclepias syriaca. Planting Milkweed. I was going to plant against the garage on east side. Roll the seeds in a damp paper towel, or place them in moist peat moss, and then put them in a plastic bag. Over the years I’ve germinated hundreds of Milkweed Seeds! Many have adapted to different regions of the country and a wide range of climates and terrains, from deserts and rocky areas to marshes and open prairies. The plants in the fall are now about 18 inches tall, and though they did not bloom or produce seed pods this year, I found that the Monarchs were most likely to lay eggs on these tender new plants for their tiny little caterpillars to start out on. There’s also ‘hello yellow’ which has sunny yellow flowers. It also saves you the hassle of in-home stratification. I wonder if the insects would eventually decimate my milkweed plants. Happy Gardening ð The seeds from Northern milkweed species need to have been cold stratified to break dormancy. 2. 3.
What city, state are you located in? These are new seeds for Brad Grimm dba Grow Milkweed Plants in 2018. That way squirrels and other critters are less likely to dig up the seeds…definitely before the ground freezes and before the first big snowstorm. I will be so excited to see them pop up in spring. If you plant seeds now, they will be ready to support monarchs until next season. I live in MA and have a lot of milkweed seed I was planning on scattering this fall. SHOULD I PLANT MID NOVEMBER, late or early November? Add some potting soil to your soil if it is clumpy and continue working it until it’s light and drains well. I also planted zinnias and parsley next to the milkweed. Sow the seeds about ¼ inch deep and cover them over with soil. Some have large taproots. I’m in Great Falls Montana. I think the swamp variety needs the cold stratification, and if so, I’m not sure when to plant them. We had a lot of success using 2-liter soda bottles doing this last season:
For soil amending, you can always mix in a little compost before planting. Use a light-colored one that is deep, as root systems of milkweed plants can grow large. Plant milkweed — it’s the sole food source for monarch caterpillars and is attractive to many pollinators for its nectar-rich flowers. The following spring I had 8 to 10 plants growing there. I’ve seen pictures where it looks bush like, and didn’t know if this was a single plant or multiple plants close together.
– Are there particular cultivars ( if there is such thing) of orange butterfly weed and if so is there one that stands out?
_ Any recommended online sites to buy seed?
Thanks
Hi Devin, Asclepias tuberosa (butterfly weed) has many stalks. Once the floss fluffs out like the one in the lower left, it is harder to remove from the seed. Cold, moist stratification is essentially tricking your seeds ⦠It’s best to separate them right away, let the seeds dry, then store for the winter or plant:
25 Milkweed Plant Ideas for North American Butterfly Gardens
Hi Bret, I just added some info about pollinator fields if you look at #7 under Assess Your Situation:
How to Start a Butterfly Garden