A variegata - Red Ring Milkweed - setting flower heads already!

11 years ago

This plant is already setting flower heads, well, actually, the baby behind this one is, too. Why do they bloom so very early? I told myself last fall I'd pinch back a stalk or two, just to see what would happen, to see if it would produce another later flower head on the same stalk. Maybe having it bloom later would help to produce a seed pod. But I'd hate to permanently damage the plant. I'd want to kick myself if I killed it. It puts on so few leaves on each stalk and I'd think the plant needs the leaves to feed itself. What do you guys think?

Mary

A variegata - Red Ring Milkweed - May 1, 2013

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Comments (6)

butterflymomok
11 years ago
Looking good, Mary. I'd leave it alone. How many plants do you have now? I still have a couple. One is up about an inch, and the other is just breaking dormancy. Got some seed chilling. Hope some will germinate.

Found viridis growing at the acreage today along the pond behind the property. It had flower buds too. No eggs, yet.

Sandy
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Mary Leek
Original Author
11 years ago
Sandy,

Sadly, I only have five left. My husband passed away last May and I didn't care for my garden as I should have last summer; nothing much mattered to me for a while. With the terrible heat and dry weather we had here, I lost some plants, including some of my young Red Ring. I'm trying to get the garden back in order but it is a mess right now. Getting old and can't work at a good pace anymore. But it gives me joy again so will keep at it.

One viridis showing up here. I did have three but so far, only the one is up. I don't know how old they should be before blooming but I'd sure love to see one of their blooms in person.

Good luck with your seed germination. I suspect, if anyone can get these seed up and thriving, it is you.

Mary
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I want to bump this up again so those who are interested in preserving this plant can add this year's growing information. I had a baby who bloomed this spring but no seed pods. The same with the wild A variegata I dug up three seasons ago. This year it put up four strong stalks and lots of flower heads but again, not one seed pod. I watched the flower heads closely and even though some flying insects crawled all over the flowers, there was no pollination. This particuliar milkweed appears to bloom the earliest of all the milkweeds I have. Maybe there aren't enough insects around this early to aid in the pollination. We had terrible high temps over a long period this summer and it was all I could do to keep the plants alive. Did anyone else have any luck getting seed pods of this plant? I also purchased three small A variegata plants from Pine Ridge Gardens this year (all MaryAnn would sell me as I suspect she was trying to make them available to more of her clients). I'm going to overwinter them in 1 gal nursery pots. I haven't decided if I'm going to try growing them in big planters on my deck next year (mostly high dappled shade) or plant them inground. Maybe I should try putting one in ground this fall and keeping two in the nursery pots over winter. What is the key to getting these plants to set seed pods? :-) ~Mary A baby A variegata - 1st blooming this spring of 2011 the wild transplanted A variegata - aka Red Ring Milkweed - blooming 5-24-2011
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Hi Mary, Hope this finds you doing well and that you had a very good growing season. These seeds did really well. They have been in flower for the past three months. I've never had a milkweed bloom so much. The first batch never did germinate. I have had tons of insect visits during this time but only two small pods that have not really developed much. I had three Monarch caterpillars on the plants and they pretty much stripped(ate) most of the foliage but the plants put out more leaves after the caterpillars molted.. I still have them in a 12" pot but will probably divide them once they stop flowering and plant them in the garden. I was wondering how your seed production has been this year? I would like to get a bunch of seed from somewhere to grow and distribute to all the folks here in my area who are into this like you and I. Any chance you might have some to share again or know someone who does and/or somewhere I can purchase some. Thanks for any help. Regards, Mark
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MissSherry
11 years ago
I'd probably leave it alone, too, Mary.

I'm SO sorry about your husband. No wonder you didn't post much then - my heart goes out to you.

Sherry
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butterflymomok
11 years ago
Mary, so sorry to hear about the loss of your husband. Knew that he wasn't well for quite some time. Please know that you are in my thoughts as you deal with his absence. I am glad that the garden is bringing you joy again. I don't know what I'd do without gardening. It's my answer to depression and pain.

Your five Redrings are still quite a few. Here's hoping for a seed pod or two this year!

Sandy
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susanlynne48
11 years ago
Mary, I, too, am so sorry for the loss of your husband. My heart goes out to you. We did miss your lovely presence here, but understand the process of grief.

I am glad, despite your loss, that you are again among your friends here on the forum. And I am happy to hear that your Asclepias variegatas are determined to grace your garden.

Susan
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susanlynne48
11 years ago
Mary, I, too, am so sorry for the loss of your husband. My heart goes out to you. We did miss your lovely presence here, but understand the process of grief.

I am glad, despite your loss, that you are again among your friends here on the forum. And I am happy to hear that your Asclepias variegatas are determined to grace your garden.

Susan
0

A variegata - Red Ring Milkweed - setting flower heads already!

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Mary Leek
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A variegata - Red Ring Milkweed - setting flower heads already!

Comments (6)

butterflymomok

Mary LeekOriginal Author

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MissSherry

butterflymomok

susanlynne48

susanlynne48

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Mary Leek
Original Author