Milkweed, Common (Asclepias syriaca) seeds
$3.95 – $31.10
Family: Milkweed (Asclepiadaceae)
Hardy to Zones 3 to 8
Herbaceous perennial native to North America. This is standard midwestern ditch milkweed that nonetheless has some of the prettiest, baseball-sized flower clusters you’ll see anywhere, giving off a heady perfume that is like the bosom of Madame Bovary. Big monarch attractor and butterfly food and habitat. Although the spring shoots are said to be edible, too much can prove toxic, due to the presence of cardioactive glycosides. Source of fiber. Plant prefers full sun and dry to mesic soils. Grows happily in poor soil or waste places. Sow seed in early spring. Cool soil germinator. Strew seeds on disturbed soil in spring, rake in and tamp, then watch the magic happen! In careful culture, plant in beds or in flats or pots–barely cover seed and tamp thoroughly, then keep evenly moist until germination. Thin or transplant to 1 foot apart.
Packet contains 30 seeds
1 g contains ~300 seeds
5 g contains ~1,500 seeds
10 g contains ~3,000 seeds
Open Pollinated, Untreated, NO GMO’s
Question
France Rowland –
I have tried growing milkweed from seeds and have not had any success at it. A friend suggested growing from a live plant but I don’t see those on the website. Do you plan to have them at some time, or do you have advice on increasing my chances of success growing from seed? Thank you!
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Richo Cech –
Hi France,
People think common weeds should be the easiest thing to grow and are surprised when it doesn’t work. Not me. I understand that wild seeds contain germination inhibiting compounds that help time their emergence according to season. That means a seed like this planted in warm soil (garden or greenhouse conditions) probably won’t germinate until the next vernal cycle. That means it will overwinter and germinate in the spring. Early spring germination helps these plants survive because there is less competition at that time of year from grasses and summer weeds. Sow seed in early spring. Cool soil germinator. Strew seeds on disturbed soil in spring, rake in and tamp, then watch the magic happen! In careful culture, plant in beds or in flats or pots–barely cover seed and tamp thoroughly, then keep evenly moist until germination. Thin or transplant to 1 foot apart.
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Renee Johnson –
But don’t they typically spread via rhizomes?
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Richo Cech –
these are rhizomatous once established
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