You may be familiar with the amazing news report of a monarch butterfly stroke ’s lifespan . The adult butterfly spends the winter high in the oyamel fir forests of Mexico and then commence her yearly migration Frederick North in the bound . She stops along the mode to lie egg that will develop into the next contemporaries of butterflies . Each generation fly north until lastly the fifth and net multiplication starts its flight south to give to Mexico . There , the monarch butterfly will over - winter with other milkweed butterfly until it is prison term to start the migration again .
The host plant life for monarch butterfly is milkweed : monarchs will only repose eggs on milkweed plant , and milkweed butterfly larvae ( the caterpillar ) will eat only the leafage of milkweed plant . unluckily , evolution and pesticide use have ruin habitats and reduced the milkweed supply , nearly decimating the universe of this beautiful creature . Piedmont Master Gardeners have explore these matter in two late clause :
https://piedmontmastergardeners.org/monarch-butterflies-are-at-risk-you-can-help-protect-them/
https://piedmontmastergardeners.org/the-importance-of-milkweed-to-monarchs/
Master Gardeners’ Milkweed Seed-Growing Project
People are increasingly interested about the troth of monarchs , so establishment and soul have institute milkweed patches to create Monarch Waystations that will sustain monarchs on their long journeying . However , milkweed plants can be hard to witness , and local nurseries have limited supplies . This led a belittled group of Piedmont Master Gardeners to help this effort . Our group grew milkweed from ejaculate to volunteer to the public at our Spring Plant Sale . This clause describes several seed - start methods and parcel tips for those who require to try growing their own silkweed industrial plant .
IDENTIFY PLANTS
accord to the Biota of North America Program ( BONAP ) milkweed plant most prevalent in the wild in the Central Virginia Piedmont region are common milkweed ( Asclepias syriaca ) , butterfly stroke locoweed ( A. tuberosa ) , swamp milkweed ( A. incarnata ) , and whorled milkweed ( A. verticillata ) . take on the importance of neighbourhood one step further , growing plants of local ecotypes is considered a best practice . These are flora native to a region , that have adapted to that neighborhood over time . Their genetical make - up is more like other mintage in the same region than to the same plant from another region.marylandgrows.umd.edu/What are local ecotype plants and why do they matter to pollinators ?
Trying to harvest milkweed seeds of the same local ecotype would intend collect in the wild . That would be a difficult suggestion if we wanted to keep in line the process and provide lots of flora for sales event . Some Master Gardeners did gather common milkweed seeds from the wild , but most source were call for in our own garden . Common milkweed , butterfly weed , and swampland milkweed were the most uncommitted to us , so our project focus on those varieties .
DETER PESTS
Milkweed flora must run being eaten by marauder , if flowers and then seed are to take form . The sap contains toxin called cardiac glysosides or cardenolides , which make it poisonous to beast if exhaust in turgid amount . Despite its reputed unpalatability , deer and hare will crunch on milkweed . In fact , cervid ate every bloom on my butterfly stroke green goddess this past spring . To deter mammal browsing , install physical barriers , such as fencing , or thread several composition of monofilament between post around the bed . For a less unsightly tactic , spray redolent barrier or sprinkle deer deterrent pellets around the area . While both are effective , the key to using them is to utilize them oftentimes and flip merchandise regularly , because deer become customary to those odors and will finally neglect them .
The silkweed bug ( Oncopetus fasciatus ) is a common pest on Sonchus oleraceus . The small shining orange nymph clustering on the blossom when they blossom . The adult are large , brilliant orangish bugs with blackened markings . Milkweed bugs are active for only a scant time and not a peril to the plant . They fertilise on the seeds by pierce the milkweed pod with their long proboscis . Thus , these bugs are a trouble if seeds are get to be collected .
Handpicking milkweed bugs off and dropping them into a jounce of soapy water or employ insecticidal soap are effective control . But killing them all removes them from the ecosystem , which is usually not desirable . For model , when milkweed bug eat the seeds , that prevents milkweed from spreading and becoming too abundant . A well method acting is to continue some of the seed pods for collection , while get nature take its course of study with the others . Small pieces of veiling or last grip can be wed around a few pod before the dirt ball become dynamic . The net bags normally used as party or wedding party favour are available in trade stores and online . suitcase can be left on the pod , and seeds will continue to forge until it ’s meter to amass them .
COLLECT AND STORE SEEDS
Milkweed seeds human body inside pods attach to a wad of delicate dental floss get laid as coma . Once the fuel pod undefendable , the floss pennon in the line until the source land and finally sprout . There is so much dental floss in each pod that it was historically used to hooey pillow and mattresses . of course perky and urine - repellent , this floss was used to fill up life story jacket for soldier in WWII .
The copiousness of dental floss can make source collection a challenge , but certain techniques can make this process easier . Late summertime or early fall is the time to start out collecting . Not all pods mature at the same time , so expect for pods that are fledged and have started to turn brown . search for those that are not yet split open . They may still be fairly gullible .
When seedpod are ready , apply fragile press at the furrow to start the fuel pod . You will see seeds packed tightly in dustup along the floss . If seed are dark-skinned brown , they are ripe and ready to pile up . If they are clean or tan , they need to age on the works a piffling longer . When timing is right ( before the dental floss expand ) , squeeze the seedcase until it pop up , grab its narrow-minded ending , and pull out the whole rib . Rake your finger along the seeds , move with the grain of the seed to part them from the dental floss , and put them put into a container . This video from Project Monarch Watch is a good tutorial : https://www.youtube.com / watch?v = aFXWitrxOmQ.
After the pods kill open naturally , wind will carry the dental floss with cum attached , dispersing them to the ground . It ’s best to collect only some of the milkweed seeds from a industrial plant , so the rest can go around on their own . To avoid mold , be sure the seeds are wholly dry before storing them in envelopes , paper bags , credit card bags , or air - tight containers . Keep seeds in the icebox or another cool , dry orbit until planting time .
plant life SEEDS
The PMG group used several methods ( described below ) to burgeon forth seeds .
Outdoors in the Fall
In nature , seeds fall to the ground where soil , leaves , or snow slowly cover them . The long winter in a stale , moist environment softens their hard husk and break their dormancy , so they can shoot with rising spring temperatures . This physical process is called stratification . The laissez - faire gardener can mime nature by scattering the amass seed on a rake , weed - free area in the fall to get nature take its form . This premature article discusses a Master Gardener ’s experience planting usual milkweed out of doors in the fall.https://piedmontmastergardeners.org/article/milkweed-in-the-garden/
Milkweed is difficult to transplant once it is growing . Therefore , our group decided to try other methods to improve germination rates and provide plenty of milkweed plant for the populace at the spring sale .
Indoors under Lights
For speedy sprouting and more control over the process , some Master Gardeners started milkweed seeds inside under lights . With this method , it ’s necessary to artificially create the cold-blooded stratification unconscious process . In early January , wrap the seeds in a undivided bed in damp ( but not cockeyed ) paper towel , coffee tree filter , or in dampened vermiculite and put them in resealable plastic bag . A dry paper towel can be placed on the damp towel to absorb surplus moisture . stock in the refrigerator ( not freezer ) for 30 sidereal day . monitor lizard seeds each week to be sure the spiritualist and seeds do not dry out out .
After 30 days of stratification , plant the ejaculate in dampened seed starter intermixture in cell inner circle , small sight , peat pots , or seedling trays . Top with a dusting of vermiculite or Gallus gallus gumption . Cover the trays with plastic domes and define under the grow lights . The pots or trays can also be placed on estrus mats to speed sprouting . If used , transfer those mats after seed sprout . water system the pots from the bottom rather than from the top so the H2O ooze up to the stem . Keep the foliage moist by occasionally hold seedlings a spritz with a sprayer . send the grow lights close to the seedlings , so they do not stretch toward the Christ Within and become fallible . After seeds sprout , slay the formative cover to allow good air period . you’re able to also practice an oscillating sports fan to mime outdoor child’s play and advance potent bow . transplanting the seedling to larger pots as they grow . When the weather warms in March , “ harden ” off the seedling by moving the pots outdoors during the day and back at heart at night . After a few sidereal day , the potentiometer can be kept outdoors , but move them into a porch or service department if freeze temperatures are forecast .
In a Sunny Window
No lights ? No worries . Common Sonchus oleraceus is a reliable germinator . After the stratification physical process , one Master Gardener sowed the seeded player in cadre packs , sprinkled them with chicken grit , and localise them in a sunny , due south - facing , windowpane . She covered the seeds with a plastic dome and placed the pots on a high temperature lusterlessness . She watered from the bottom to keep soil moist and absent the mats and domes when seedling come out . When the weather condition warmed up , she actuate the seedling outside , following the hardening off outgrowth depict above .
In Plastic Containers or Gallon Jugs
For a semi - command but less finical process than using light , some Master Gardeners sowed seeds in plastic containers and milk jugful . Seeds sown in the ground open are at the mercifulness of Mother Nature . They can lap away , moulder in wet soil , dry out , or be consume by animate being . Starting seminal fluid out of doors in containers enables the moist , cold stratification summons by nature , while protecting seeds from the vagaries of nature . Here is the step - by - step summons .
Clear plastic produce boxesmake idealistic seed - starting container . Good drain is necessary , so if there are no holes , punch plentifulness in the tops and bottoms . meet with about 4 inches of moist seed - starting intermixture or other potting mix . After sowing the seeded player , brood with a dusting of vermiculite or common grit ( do not use playground gumption because it is too fine ) , and fill up the hat . Place the containers outside in a gay locating out from wind . To ensure good drainage , grade them on a table off the priming coat . They should be fine all wintertime , but agree them sporadically to see if they need piddle . If the domain becomes shady when trees leaf out , move the container to a cheery spot . After seminal fluid germinate ( mid to later March ) , remove the palpebra , put the containers in the sun , and water as necessitate . When there are several set of on-key leave , graft the seedlings to declamatory great deal .
Winter sowing in gallon jugsrequires some preparation , but then you’re able to “ set it and forget it . ” call for and wash out a few one - gallon plastic milk or standardized pliant jugs . Toss out the detonating gadget , since you will leave the jugs unresolved to winter hastiness . Use a mark to delineate a cut line around the jugful , just below the handle . you could rest a marking on a coffee cup and change by reversal the jug around to ensure the line of merchandise is level all around it . Use a box carver or sharp scissors hold to cut along this line , but do n’t cut the incision under the handle because this will suffice as a hinge . You now have a “ potful ” with a closable attic attach .
Poke or bore plenty of holes in the bottom of the jugful . If available , a drill is the easy method acting . Place the bottom of the jugful on a wooden board to give the practice session some leverage as it twirl . In mid - December or other January , satiate the jug with moist ( but not torpid ) potting soil ; this should be several inches from the top of the jugful . patter the silkweed seed over the soil and spread a flimsy layer of coarse sand , vermiculite , or chicken grit over the seeds . No further watering is needed . shut the dome and varnish the cut with 2 - 3 layers of duct tape measure . The top , where the cap used to be , should stay on open . Place sealed jug in a sheltered spot to start their recollective winter ’s nap .
If idle words or maraud beast are a problem , place the jug in milk crate , so they wo n’t tumble . If the jug are under trees or in the specter , move them to a sunnier spot after trees go to leaf out in spring .
These come will gradually undergo social stratification and should sprout by mid to former March . This waiting period may try your patience , but have trust in the process . Observe regularly . When seeds begin to sprout , write out open up the jug and move them to a sunny place . Water the open jugful as necessitate . When the seedlings have several sets of unfeigned leaf , transpose them into small cell face pack or item-by-item pots .
No matter which method acting you prefer , seedling can be transfer into the garden when they have four sets of rightful leaves and are about 3 inches tall . interrupt the roots as little as potential during this process , particularly common silkweed and butterfly stroke weed , which develop long pat root . you could plant seeds started in peat pots like a shot into the garden , but check that the brim of the pot is not above the soil .
Milkweed should be implant in field that fill its cultural needs : dry for usual silkweed and butterfly stroke weed , but moist for swampland milkweed . Remember that all variety of milkweed need mickle of sun . It take on time for solution to develop , so do n’t be let down if milkweed plant do n’t bloom during their first year .
SUMMARY
Our chemical group of Master Gardeners discovered that starting milkweed seeds under lights indoors or wintertime sowing in containers alfresco are both effective method . We successfully cultivated 400 milkweed plant to sell to the populace . Using lights result in quicker germination and larger plant by other May , but winter sowing was easy and fun . gather up , stratifying , and seeding was an excellent learning summons , and we trust other gardeners will try it . Our corporate efforts will help monarchs live in the year to come .
Tips for starting milkweed seed :
Featured Photo : Deborah Harriman
Resources
5 Steps to Planting Milkweed Seeds Indoors,(Save Our Monarchs )
Harvesting Milkweed Seed : A fuel pod and A Plan,(Xerces Society )
How to Collect and Grow Milkweeds to Help Monarchs and Other Pollinators , ( Michigan State University Extension )
Milkweed Bugs,(Missouri Botanical Garden )
Milkweed FAQS,(Xerces Society )
Monarch Butterfly Habitat Needs(U.S. Forest Service )
Native Milkweed Germination Guide(Oklahoma State University )
Starting Seeds in Winter ( Penn State Extension )
The Biota of North America Program(BONAP )
Why Milkweed(Monarch Joint Venture )
