Oh, I grow lots and lots of tall zinnias in pots too. Hi Angela, in the past when we used t5 grow lights to start seeds we’ve used the 6400k option, but the 2700k might be all you need. This spring, only 2 returned but are now well over a foot tall. How long for the seeds to germinate? Thanks, Filip. 1. Should I bring them indoors and repot them? Place the seed tray outside in the afternoon in a sheltered location for several hours and then bring it back inside before nightfall. The non-natives were aphid magnets. Some of the plants are staked and some not. I have just received my tent to raise them this year. Is it possible to plant the seeds temporarily in my veggie bed or do they need to be indoors? Is there any point to planting this spring (April) or would it be better to wait till fall? I need to purchase grow lights, but don’t know what temp/luminosity they should be. Milkweeds (Asclepias) get their name from the sticky white sap that oozes from the leaves when they are damaged. Set everything together on top of a heated seed mat. 1) Should I freeze them until next spring? Whorled milkweed (Asclepias verticillata) – A larval host plant that grows in dry or sandy soils, this whorled milkweed is hardy in USDA zones 4a to 10b. If you can collect your own seed in the wild, go for it. Simply sprinkle seeds on well-tilled soil and pat them down, add a topdressing of soil, and water them in. Tropical milkweed probably won’t come back in your region, but all of your natives should be showing signs of life…. Yep, I realize that I’m behind schedule – I’ll be sure to pay more attention, come next year. This is the earliest I have ever had them. We used this simple staking technique in addition to the fan: You can break off fork handles to adjust the height for smaller seedlings. Cover the seeds with a quarter-inch of soil and water thoroughly. Hi Tony I just took milkweed seeds out of the fridge to package for a community event. Thanks…MRM. This means that if you sow the seed in the spring after the freeze/thaw process the seeds will most likely lay dormant until they can be stratified the following winter. The fans are also very important for seedling development, and also prevents fungal attacks. What will I need to add to my soil to get it to grow my memories? I am not sure exactly which species it is, however we were thinking of trying to relocate these plants to my son’s preschool outdoor naturalized playground that is finishing being built. Spreads by seeds and underground rhizomes. Lift the seedlings under the tiny roots and transfer them to the growing area. Wait until the fall? Here is a step by step post for direct sowing: Tony , You had mentioned one time that you grow 15 different kinds of Asclepias in your attempts to help the Monarchs. I have several swamp milkweed plants in my garden with at least 10 caterpillars. If I try the cold stratification process (I’m a total gardening newbie), I won’t be able to plant until early-mid May. Some gardeners cover their plants to give them a chance to recover: Growing Milkweed in Continuous Growing Regions. Thanks – Theresa, Hi, I am trying to grow some seeds, but they seem to stop growing when they are about 1″ tall. It started to warm up here about 2 weeks ago and so I set them outside to start to warm up. They are followed by beautiful elongated seed pods. I would check out plants and plugs on my resource page. good luck with your plants! If it’s close to full shade, they probably won’t grow very vigorously. Milkweed plants got their name from the milk-like sap that is contained inside this perennial plant. Here are some tips for overwintering indoors: 3 Big Advantages of Winter Sown Milkweed + Winter Sowing Container ideas, With spring comes the imminent return of the king of butterflies…Monarchs! (we did have aphids on the tropical milkweed at the end of the season, but that garden is not near the affected patches) Now, the year before (2016) the patches grew very well but we ended up with a massive infestation of aphids. Water the newly planted milkweed seedlings generously after planting. Plant the seedlings between 6 and 24 inches apart. Scroll down this page to see the plant height when first pinched back. The process I am presenting for CMS is designed to simulate winter conditions and can be applied to the milkweed seed at any time of the year in your home. Water the area frequently after planting until plants become established. Out in the garden I had about seven native plants. Hatter has also had publication on home improvement websites such as Redbeacon. I don’t really care. We are very fortunate to have a lot of wild milkweed at our farm in Northern Indiana. Any tips on pruning to get a lush full plant? Thank you for your input! I have a garden behind a brownstone in Manhattan. In each of two large pots (24″L x 12″W x 12″D) I jammed those plants in MG potting soil (cutting off the bottomof the netting). Curious, I carefully dug around the other 4 sites with a hand trowel. Fence off your seedlings if there is a good chance of trampling by overzealous pets or small children. 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. Leggy seedlings won’t often survive planting outdoors, or grow up the way you would like. 2. My milkweek was planted last spring and flourished well! I recommend cold stratification for A. syriaca about a month before planting. Has the seed been cold treated/stratified? 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