Milkweed is a difficult plant for pollinators to pollinate. Being disappointed or thinking that you are doing something wrong is the only issue. Storing Milkweed Pods. Cut a small hole in the lower corner of the bag and shake the cleaned seeds out. in the beginning, we had tons of milkweed that had big puffy blooms that lasted a good part of the summer. Always test a small sample of a new wild food before consuming in quantity. When and where did you place your order? In Springtime in Texas, I recommend our Spring Planting Butterflyweed (Asclepias tuberosa) for Spring planting. Flowering doesn’t occur until the second or third year, and only after flowering will you get pods. As a Penn State Extension Master Gardener, Justin provides education and outreach to his community on a range of gardening-related subjects such as sustainable and pollinator-friendly gardening practices. Wonderful! Northern Italy isn’t a part of it’s native range, but I believe it should be fine as long as it is not an Alpine climate. I didn’t see flowering, but was pleased to see a few fat catepillers last year and hope to see more this year. Can I plant now? Move your thumb and forefinger down the mass of floss as you go, working your way down the seed mass. You can test an unopened pod for maturity by applying gentle pressure to the seam. Milkweed grows substantial roots in its first year. (After looking for eggs and csterpillars to move). Will they grow here? Milkweed can live and spread indefinitely. I would consider whether your plant is in a good place- right moisture conditions and sun. If instead the pod opens, and seed is dark brown in color, you may easily remove the central rib of seeds and floss in one mass, and should find it easy to separate. We recommend letting nature determine the watering for native wildflowers. I think they were swamp milkweed. The seeds should be dark brown and papery. Milkweed does not transplant well. They generally will not sprout indoors. Planting INDOORS in the Fall. But there have been no flowers and consequently, no seed pods. The seeds need to be outside. I really want to grow more from seed and the two plants I have are coming back in force. Are the aphids prematurely killing my plants? or should I put them in the fridge for a few weeks? Gonna see the fence line between properties this fall. Some flowers, when present, have appeared dried out and did not produce pods. Place the pods in a paper bag and put in a dry place. A first year plant may not be sufficient to feed a caterpillar. I am hoping to introduce some different types of milkweed and could use your advice. Common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) is a native herbaceous perennial whose main virtue is its appeal to butterfliesespecially the monarch, which deposits its eggs on the milkweed. Pods are filled with seeds and floss, a material attached to the seed that allows it to travel on the wind, similar to dandelion seed. With over 140 different types of milkweed, there are milkweeds that grow well in almost every hardiness zone. I have a few milkweed plants in my butterfly garden and have watched 8 caterpillars form their chrysalis but the caterpillars have eaten all the leaves on my milkweed. Too much water, too little water, too cold, too warm, etc. Thank you. Species for wildflower seed balls (Gallery). Milkweed is the only host plant for the Monarch butterfly for egg laying and caterpillar rearing. Milkweed is pretty strong, but it can become toppled in heavy winds or if exposed. You can collect these seeds once the pods have begun to turn brown and open, sowing your own milkweed seeds. Hi Gary, Numbers are down even more. This is for the welfare of the plant and the Monarch Butterflies, who may rely on the species of milkweeds they encounter to navigate on their journey. A few of the older milkweeds survived and hopefully will flower. I live in coastal San Diego. When I suggested that they look for more modest plants, they were able to spot their young milkweed growing healthfully among the grasses. Seeds that are too young will appear orangish and translucent on the edges. Harvesting Milkweed Seed: a Pod and a Plan, fill flotation devices during World War II, Pollinator Conservation Program Digest – December 2020, The Power of The Pinery: Six Years of Bumble Bee Community Science at Ontario’s Pinery Provincial Park. You can plant milkweed starter plants purchased at specialty nurseries. Milkweed should be kept outside in the winter in the soil, not in pots. They are spreading fairly rapidly and look healthy (though there appear to be aphids on the tops of some of the stems). I thought they make a chrsyllis and don’t pupate? 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. You may have Asclepias tuberosa. Is it too late for them to feed and lay eggs? They have a huge appetite! To keep it safe during the Winter. It’s hard to keep up and run the business sometimes. if I plant them and soak them well in my garden should they grow? It is now November and 95% of my milkweed has lost their leaves and the other have lost most of them as well. Give them a try and who knows — you may really like them and try them again and again. Please consider replacing the tropical milkweed with native California species that are now available like Asclepias fascicularis and Asclepias eriocarpa. While you can certainly buy milkweed seed from a variety of suppliers, harvesting milkweed seed from local ecotypes is a great way to ensure that you are working with plants that are well adapted to your climate and soil conditions. My milkweed plant has orange clusters of little flowers and has been beautiful this year. Well, I seem to have doubled my milkweed “crop”…! Milkweed won’t do well in a raised bed, as it needs those deep roots. Butterflyweed is notoriously stubborn, sometimes coming up as late as July! Most of the milkweed plant is edible including its leaves, stems, flowers and the seed pods. the milkweed should come back just fine in the spring. Apparently, unlike Red Milkweed Beetles which chew the leaves and roots, Large Milkweed Bugs do not directly chew on the seed pods. It is a perennial, so it should come back. are they already cold stratified? Visit our Project Milkweed page for regional milkweed guides, and more information about harvesting milkweed seed. Butterflies don’t only need nectar, but also need food at the caterpillar stage. Milkweed is perhaps most well-known for its seeds; they are flat, 8 mm long, reddish-brown, and have a pappus of silky hair at one end. How to Use Milkweed. He said to leave them alone and that they were actually good for the butterflies and that the ants keep the aphids rounded up. Asclepias is a genus of herbaceous, perennial, flowering plants known as milkweeds, named for their latex, a milky substance containing cardiac glycosides termed cardenolides, exuded where cells are damaged. You’re welcome. About 10 inches tall with 3 different stems. You can see the white substance on the pod at the bottom which is why these plants are called Milkweed. Reminds me of growing up in Ontario Canada. You’ve read about the plight of the Monarch Butterfly and are ready to support this regal species by including Milkweed in your garden. Deep sturdy roots that will help it survive drought, floods, and freeing temps. Southern lines of milkweed and Butterflyweed (. I have lots of butterflies and have had about 8 caterpillars. Check the seeds before removing the pod by opening the pod a wee bit. A perfect time to harvest the seeds. We provide US native milkweed all over the country to people in urban centers, and deep in the countryside, of all ages and walks of life. Why? The seed balls tend to mold if put in the fridge. I suspect that it may be receiving too much nitrogen, which encourages leaf growth, but often reduces blooms. The new milkweed plants, if they are robust, rather than fine like seedlings, are likely shoots off root runners. This is my first year of hosting monarchs. I took some photo’s but can’t post them here. Plant about 4″ deep and tamp the soil down well. It may be possible that the milkweed was planted in less than ideal soil or sun. Hi-I found a monarch caterpillar on my walk today. I think it is a lovely plant, too. It also serves as a food source for Monarchs as well as many other pollinator species. I have had milkweed pods last for over a month at a time at a restaurant cooler with proper storage. Last year it bloomed very little and I did not have these pods at all. Monarchs LOVE Swamp Milkweed (Aslcepias incarnata) if you have rich soil and moderate to wet conditions, this is the one to grow! Now I know and am moving all baby plants I find to an area where I would like them to grow. The stems and leav… Overwintering Milkweed Plants. How long will it take for the leaves to grow back as I now have a big ugly bare spot in my garden? I would like to transplant it to another location. I didn’t see this habitat map until I had already ordered some Narrow-Leaf Milkweed Seedballs. But it rarely will flower the second year. Here we’ll explore some methods of harvesting milkweed seed, separating the truth from the fluff. Any species in the milkweed family will do, but the easiest to grow is the common milkweed, Asclepias syriaca. Most milkweed needs to be planted in the Fall. I planted the small plants that I purchased at a sale and they are huge and blossoming. I have a huge milkweed plant growing among my lily of the valley. It is important to plant milkweeds that are native to your area. May I use insecticidal soap to kill the large number of oleander aphids on my six 2 year old weeds in VA if I see no other creature on the plants? It’s been about two months and nothing. Wait until the pods turn yellow and begin to dry out. The seeds are dispersed by wind so they are light and fluffy. If you’re reading this, you’re likely aware of the fact that milkweed has been disappearing from the landscape over the past decade – with monarch butterfly populations declining as a result. Because they are native plants, there’s no need to fertilize milkweed, and plants will likely do better without it. They are native to the west coast, but I live in NJ. Milkweed comes back year after year in good conditions. When milkweed goes to seed in the Fall, the seeds take aloft on their down, and finally land, working their way to the soil surface during the rains of the Fall. Hard to say. Mark the plants and be certain to return. The leaves of milkweed plants (Asclepias spp.) Should I put the seedballs in the refrigerator first? How many caterpillars can one 3′ to 4′ plant support? Growing milkweed. Prior to … If the plants were stressed, that could be a reason, but they seem to be doing well. I’m in California and just ordered my milkweed seeds. Just let the aphids be. The soap will also kill monarch caterpillars present. At that point, you can transfer the fluffy mess into a sealed clear plastic bag and work the seeds off the fluff. Not very many monarchs here in central PA this year either. I hope that you can help with my watering question. Most, unfortunately, are next to impossible to purchase seeds for. Some might perish. Thank you so much! Milkweed has a reputation of being extremely bitter which puts a lot of people off trying it. Another option for those who aren’t bothered by the task of separating floss, or who are collecting on a larger scale where checking individual pods is impractical, is to tie a fabric, or other type of fine mesh bag around the pod. Milkweed pods can be kept in the refrigerator and will have a shelf life similar to other produce in the fridge. At that point, you can transfer the fluffy mess into a sealed clear plastic bag and work the seeds off the fluff. Harvesting the seed too soon. We have been here 9 yrs. Best time to plant would be October/Novemeber. Chrysalis is the pupal stage for butterflies, pupa being a more general word than chrysalis. or organza bags all work well for this purpose – but avoid using plastic bags as they will trap too much heat and moisture, killing the seed. Also, do the cats eat during the day and wander off at night? Can I plant them in the summer in a shaded location? When all of my common Milkweeds are done, Hairy Balls Milkweed is going gangbusters into October and ending with our first hard frost. What is the lifespan of a milkweed plant? Try A tuberosa (butterflyweed) in the East, and A. fascicularis on in the costal West. Thank you! We also have Asclepias eriocarpa, which does not need stratification. How does it do this? Purple Milkweed (Asclepias purpurascens) but I was delighted with the plants, as were others in the neighborhood, and we look forward to Year Two. Visit our monarch conservation page for information about current monarch conservation efforts, regional monarch nectar plant guides, citizen science projects and more. Typically, these pods are horn shaped, or otherwise long, narrow and tubular. Hi Blake Great website! Your tax-deductible donation will help us to protect the life that sustains us. Wildflowers evolved any strategies for survival. My question is will they be okay and sprout next spring? Thanks for the quick reply. Showy milkweed (A. speciosa) pods, seeds, and floss. Milkweed has optimal germination after one year of storage. 1-2 months after your seedlings have sprouted next spring, pinch off extra plants (or consider transplanting) to achieve ideal spacing for your specific milkweed. Not recognizing the small plant for what it really is- Milkweed! There are several options for separating the floss, but the best option is to plan your timing so that you are able to easily remove the seed as soon as it is mature, but before the silky floss has expanded. Is this plant highly poisonous and what kind of contact would be required to experience negative effects? If it is tropical milkweed (orange/yellow/red) you should not grow it as it poses problems for monarch migration and mite transmission. From nursery and they have little green buds in the leaves. Aphids are generally a sign of stressed plants. In doing so, I have run into a great deal of misconceptions. Thank you. This floss is so plentiful it was once used to fill flotation devices during World War IIwhen the supply of another material was cut off by Japan. It’s natural for it to lose its leaves and stems as it is a herbaceous perennial. How do you harvest Swamp Milkweed seeds to grow? Also last fall I was walking along tha Trinity River and found myself surrounded by Monarchs and low and behold I was also in an area covered with Milkweed. Ten Reasons to Garden with Swamp Milkweed in Wet Soils, The Fukuokan Dream and Dashed Hopes in the US, Why Green Gifts are Important for our Kids. I left town for two weeks when the caterpillars were at their height, and returned to no caterpillars, no pupae and no Monarchs. They do take a long time to establish. Not waiting long enough for germination. Milkweeds are easy to harvest and easy to prepare. The milkweed will be back again and again, so enjoy! Suppose there is a drought in the late spring. I would recommend planting varieties that don’t spread so much as common milkweed. Do not see many Monarchs either.i have pics as well but cannot send them here. to help with germination. This method allows the pod to split naturally, collecting both seed and floss, and allowing you to collect the works on your schedule! Deer won’t like the taste of it and will avoid it. The elongated seed pods that are currently dangling from honeyvine milkweed strongly resemble those found on common milkweed (A. syriaca). My daughter likes to raise the butterflies. What I did not see were pods. Scientists still aren’t certain how monarchs recognize milkweed from the air, but once they land on it, chemical sensors (kind of like tastebuds) on the feet of the Monarch recognize the milkweed at once! We never recommend this plant for Monarchs. Is a pod a long green tubular growth at the end of a stem and is tight feeling? The pod should be drying out and beginning to split. Excellent! I am in central Florida. These little orange insects suck the sap out of stems, leaves, can cause flowers and pods to abort, and can even kill plants. As with comedy, harvesting milkweed seed is all about timing. Hello – I am just beginning to research all of this and appreciate all of the information you have shared, Blake. How To Plant Milkweed Seeds In Fall: Compact The Area . Sign up for our enewsletter to receive up-to-date information about our programs & events. Gather leaves and shoots in early spring when they first appear. The aphids may or may not return. Shake vigorously. Did you find a typo in our article? This year some of my plants are at least 72″ tall. According to New Hampshire Extension, the best thing one can do when common milkweed begins to take over a home landscape or garden is to prevent it from producing seed pods. In our experiment, small handfuls of seed were fed into a 5.5 HP shop-vac with a 16-gallon capacity. Thank you for this article…it really helped solve some of the mysteries in my milkweed garden! Co-evolution is beneficial to both species in this case. The Ascelpias viridis (spider milkweed) plants will be spaced 1.5 to 2 feet apart. If it germinates in the fall, and the seedling is very young, small and tender when the freezes do come, the tender roots will not survive. Asclepias syriaca, Common Milkweed, ready to disperse seeds. Suck it up: In our trials we’ve found that a typical shop-vac with a cartridge filter can be very effective at cleaning milkweed seed. Thank you Sustainably harvested, non-GMO wildflower, native grass, and vegetable seeds balls. Early sprouters will perish. Will it grow? 2. We only have 1/2 acre and would love to start milkweed along our fence. Very excited. The seeds are borne in narrow teardrop pods … I overwinter my geraniums and oleander this way. 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