Ctnchpr,

76 plants, WOW! I have two that I purchased from Seneca Hills. One has 3 flower heads; the other may be too small to bloom until next year. How long did it take you to get such a nice colony?

Thanks for the warning about the Tussock moths.

Sandy

envy, covet, envy, envy, envy . . .

ctnchpr,

Congratulations. Your plants look so healthy and just look at the blooms. They are stunning!

My little wild red ring has 8 flower heads on it but the oldest bloom is now dropping it's little individual flowers and with only two left, I'm afraid there will be no seed pod on this one. Still hoping one of the other 7 blooms will produce a seed pod one day. My neighbors must think I'm crazy because I'm forever peering under the blooms, trying to see a difference in 'something', looking for what might one day be a seed pod. Ha. Old women like me can get away with these things, or so she thinks as she's led away to be evaluated.

Mary

Wow, those plants are beautiful!! Look at the size of those leaves! Very healthy. Can you describe the conditions they are growing in? From what I've read, they will grow on slopes, somewhat lean and dry conditions, and do well in partial shade like an open woodland (which would describe most of my lot).

I got 2 seedlings from the 2009 seeds and I also sowed a bunch of the 2007 seeds for the heck of it and couldn't believe it but there are 2 seedlings from those!! I didn't think that those seeds were viable any longer, but apparently there are still some good seeds.

I hope to plant/transplant the A. variegata seedlings to compatible growing conditions. Either that, or plant them into cups and try to grow them bigger before putting them in the ground.

Incredible stand of A. variegata. If you have extra seeds, I'd love some. I'm working on a native milkweed collection at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens in Vienna, Virginia.

Gorgeous milkweed!
Sherry

Absolutely stunning, Ctnchpr! What a beautiful collection you have growing!

I'd be curious to know how this collection began.

I just have one A. variegata that is growing nicely so far. I thought they needed more shade, though. I don't know what your zone/area is, but would be interested to know. Oklahoma City sun can be vicious. I was thinking of planting mine under my Austrian pine tree, because I read somewhere that they grow naturally under pines or in pine barrens, in sandy, rocky soil. So, the little plant has not had much sun, maybe an hour or two a day, some filtered light, but no direct sun.

I have read a few sources that describe pollination of most milkweeds as difficult for the pollinating insect overall, with some being less receptive than others.

"Their (Asclepias) flowers unusual structure regulates pollination. Sacs of pollen snag on insect's legs, pulled from the stamen, and are placed in slits behind the crown. Polen (sic) grains must be inserted in proper direction otherwise they are wasted."

http://www.discoverlife.org/nh/tx/Plantae/Dicotyledoneae/Asclepiadaceae/Asclepias/variegata/#REF

With low viability issues, the process is then further belabored by raising the tiny seedlings to any size, and transplanting them successfully.

All of these things combined (low viability of seed, high mortality rate in seedlings, and difficuty transplanting) may attribute to minimal success in starting this particular milkweed from seed sown.

Just a few thoughts. I do wonder if it is easier to just let them self sow.

Susan

Funny post Fresh Air!! Still laughing to myself!

I was one of the recipients of your kind distribution of Asclepias variegata seed last year. We had terrible weather this year with nonstop rains. The few seedlings that I had did not do too well. I would be grateful if you could spare me some seed. I would be willing to distribute the seed for you this year if you need someone to do that. Thank you very much.

Ooooh, very pretty ;)

I'm curious as to the status of everyone's A. variegata seed/seedlings/plants after the really hot summer we had. Mine is "status quo" under my pine tree. It put on a few new leaves, but has not had any significant growth, and, of course, no flowers. But, I think it has adapted well to the environment it is currently in for a first-year plant.

Susan

Hi ctnchpr, Just curious if your plants set any seed pods this year and if so will any be available? I got a few of last years seed through Jeff but no germination. I was dissappointed as I had seed from others that all(3 each) germinated. I would really like to get some seed pods from your plants as they seem to grow so well. Thanks, Mark (wildflowerman_2000)

Beautiful beautiful beautiful milkweed. I can just imagine it covered with Monarch cats!

I wonder if it is like the purple milkweed seed I just purchased that states that it may take up to 2 years to germinate.
I would love to get some seeds if you have any to share...I have Asclepias oenotheroides seeds if you want to trade...it is very attractive to Queens & Monarchs here!

I wintersowed "Purple Milkweed" or Asclepias purpurescens last year and got quite a few plants from it, so I don't think it will take that long for your seeds to germinate. Like A. variegata, it is a plant for part shade to shade as well.

I wonder how Mary's little seedlings did. Haven't heard anything from her in awhile.

Susan

Ctnchpr,

If you will be sharing your A. variegata seeds, I would really like to have some. I've always grown A. currasivica, but my trees are starting to shade my garden so much that it doesn't do well anymore. I'm hoping that A. variegata will tolerate the shade and perform better for me. Please let me know if you will be sharing.

Thanks, Dana

THOSE MILKWEEDS ARE DOING GREAT , IF YOU HAVE ANY SEEDS LEFT OVER I WOULD LOVE TO GROW SOME FOR A TRADE OF MY LIST .

I am trying to establish a native milkweed garden, and have been looking for Asclepias variegata seeds for many, many, many years.

All your photos and experiences with this beautiful plant are wonderful! If anyone has seeds they would like to share, I would be very grateful!

Thank you!