Maintain temperatures of 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit for optimal germination. I have successfully used my process on the species of Milkweed listed below: We have ordered a variety of native flower seeds from Everwilde Farms, which you can order right from Amazon through our link on our RECOMMENDED PRODUCTS PAGE. Be sure there is no top edge above the soil line after transplanting - in dry climates, this will wick away valuable soil moisture. Purchase a large bag each of peat and potting soil, as many plastic seeding trays as you'd like, and milkweed seeds at a gardening store. – Jun., 1977), pp. Without prolonged exposure to cold temperatures, your milkweed seed is unlikely to sprout. It is extremely elegant, producing willowy foliage and pink blooms. Are you excited about saving the Monarchs? Vol. Place 1-2 cold stratified seeds in each pot. Water well to compress the soil and remove an air pockets. 1. Jerry M. Baskin and Carol C. Baskin. Sow your milkweed seeds in early spring. Plant them 18 inches apart. Learn about varieties which help to replenish nutrients to your soil. Sow 2 to 3 seeds in a pot filled with seed-starting mix, cover with ¼ inch of mix, water lightly and set under lights. Click here to view our General Gardening Guides. It is extremely elegant, producing willowy foliage and pink blooms. If you’re using a grow light, make sure to lower the bulb closer to the pots, or your seedlings may become leggy as they stretch to find the light. Population, Temperature, and Substrate Influences on Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) Seed Germination. Questions & Answers. Carefully unpot your Milkweed by gently tipping the plant over to release it from the pot. Germination should occur a couple of weeks after temperatures reach 65-70F (20C) during the day. Cover the seeds lightly -- ¼-inch or less -- with potting mix. If you are planting seed outside, we suggest seeding in late fall so that Milkweed seeds can lay on the ground through winter. Gently add water until soil is damp. When you start planning your vegetable garden, it is a good idea to keep a list of common vegetable plant spacing handy. Water the area frequently after planting until plants become established. Be forewarned, however, that you will likely end up with butterfly … Growing milkweed supplies larvae of the Monarch with food and shelter, providing caterpillars food and a resting place before they leave the caterpillar stage and become butterflies. After that, the plant doesn’t need a lot of supplemental water. Soteres and Murray. If you take a handful, you should be able to squeeze it and only have a few drops fall out. Harvest Milkweed Seeds without the Fluff Part 2. Can you recommend a variety of milkweed that starts to germinate in early spring. Fill cell packs with high-quality seed-starting soil mix and drop three to four milkweed seeds per cell over the surface of the soil. 50% Off Spring-Planted Bulbs - Pre-Order For Spring. After 30-60 days, it’s time to plant your Milkweed seeds. Did you know you should sow these perennial seeds in fall? Over 110 choices for fast color, such as poppies, cosmos, sunflowers, zinnia, and many more. Water temperature should be 75 to 85 degrees. I’m in zone 5b (southern Ontario) and grow swamp milkweed but it usually doesn’t start to come up until mid/late spring and usually isn’t a decent size until at least early summer. Use the distance between the tips of each digit for approximate spacing. Alternatively you can direct Sow in the Fall/Autumn. Farmer, Price, and Bell. If you are reading this article during a warm month though, you should be using the fridge! Predicting if and when milkweed seeds will grow is a loosing game. The plant is putting energy into establishing its roots, and will eventually grow leaves again. 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