Kevin, Your post is probably not in the best thread and maybe not even really in the best forum. You posted into someone else's thread that was about how to tell if there tree was dead. When posting a fairly unrelated question, request, or idea, you'll usually get more response if you start a new thread. Another advantage is that responses to your post will go to you instead of the person that started the original thread. Also, you might be more likely to get a response to a request for seeds in the Seed Exchange Forum. I really wish that there was some type of woody plant material exchange page, but unfortunately there's not. Another thing you may want to consider is that redbuds aren't as easy to grow from seed as many plants. The seeds are double dormant so require scarification and stratification for best results. You can grow them from seed if you are really determined to do so, but it's probably much easier just to buy one. This will also allow you to purchase a superior cultivar if desired and get a couple of years head start on growth.

I'm so sorry most of your red admirals have those despised cocoons, KC!! It's rare that you actually see them laying eggs, but I have seen it on a few occasions. Fortunately, the red admirals had a good year here, with very few parasitized - I released a lot of healthy RA butterflies. Unfortunately, I found those tiny white cocoons on some sulphurs, either sleepy oranges or cloudless sulphurs - 'didn't know 'til then that sulphurs could be parasitized by what appears to be the same little wasp. My false nettles have gotten taller than me ( I'm 5'5") but I don't see any cats on them presently. I have seen a few red admirals, though, so I could possibly get more in the near future. Sherry

Congrats, Sherry. Look at those beautiful colors! How lucky you spotted mama BF depositing her eggs! I am so encouraged. My false nettle seeds have begun sprouting and I hope to attract this lovely BF to my garden this year. BTW, do you grow your false nettle in full sun? Totally reworking my beds this year, now that I know what grows & works well here and what doesn't so it's going to be an exciting summer for me. Mary

I was working out in the garden on Saturday and was visited by a Red Admiral (finally; something besides a cabbage white!!!). Talk about a social butterfly! It followed me around everywhere I went, and when I went in the house, it landed on my window. Maybe it was a combination of the red tank top and the sweat, lol. When I came back out, it followed me around some more. Wherever I worked, it found something to nectar on. I believe it was truly happy when I sat on the stair of the deck; simply couldn't get enough of the potted urn of lantana at the bottom of the stairs. It made my day!