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Help growing native FL milkweed.

7 years ago

Hi, I just finished ordering native FL milkweed seeds. I'm in zone 10b and ordered Whorled Milkweed, Swamp Milkweed, and ORANGE BUTTERFLY MILKWEED. This would be the 2nd time I've ordered seeds, the 1st time, I didn't have any luck with them. Everywhere I read, they say to plant native milkweed, but I've had no luck with them. I do have the tropical milkweed, the one no one wants to plant. I have the giant milkweed, and recently got 3 plants of the Swan milkweed, among other colorful names. I do have Monarchs basically the whole year here in Miami. Please tell me if you've planted the native ones above, and how you did it. I would love to be able to succeed this time around. Thank you.

Featured Answer

Iris S (SC, Zone 7b)

7 years ago

i don't know if your swamp milkweed is different than mine, but mine needed cold stratification. I planted my seeds ( swamp, tall green, showy) in little pots outside in December and it worked very well.

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Comments (8)

ily68
Original Author
7 years ago
I've seeing that in a lot of places, do you know what I can do now? Very hot in Miami right now.
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Iris S (SC, Zone 7b)
7 years ago
I am really a novice at seeds. It seems people just keep them in the fridge for a couple of weeks. I am sure somebody with more knowledge will help out soon.
ily68 thanked Iris S (SC, Zone 7b)
ily68
Original Author
7 years ago
I did some research, and found this site, http://monarchbutterflygarden.net/cold-moist-stratification-milkweed-seeds/. Going to try it when the seeds get here. My mother just threw some tropical milkweed in a pot, about 2 to 3 weeks ago, they're about an inch. She just threw them and they are coming out already. I planted the native ones last year, nothing. If no one else answers me, they're going in the fridge when they get here, can't hurt to try. thank you.
Jay 6a Chicago
7 years ago
I'm by Chicago and have had good luck planting the swamp and tropical.Most cold stratification takes two or more months in the freezer.Two weeks in the fridge won't do it.The blood flower doesn't need cold treatment.Why don't people like to plant the tropical one in your area? It's not invasive up here and rarely grown here except by weirdos like me.
ily68 thanked Jay 6a Chicago
ily68
Original Author
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
From what I read around the internet, it makes the Monarchs stay because they have food in the winter time. Here are some pros and cons, http://monarchbutterflygarden.net/is-tropical-milkweed-killing-monarch-butterflies/. I don't know if I have the patience or the time to put the seeds in the freezer for 2 or more months. I probably can do the 2 weeks. I have some tropical planted now, about 1 to 2 inches, and I bought some at HomeDepo and Galloway, but for the amount of Monarchs I get, the 10 plants I got is not going to be enough. I also got 1 big and 2 medium of the swan milkweed, which they eat already, and a giant milkweed that's not too big now. The tropical milkweed we just throw in soil and it comes up, never did anything to it. Now I'm reading the directions on the back of some seeds I bought, it says, soak seeds in hot water for 24 hours, then sow seeds on soil surface at 70f and water. That I can do now, need to have more seedlings going. every time I go get a plant, it's 4 to 5 dollars each for smaller ones, and more if they're bigger ones. The swan milkweed I got seeds, and the instructions are the same. Going to put them in water now.
Jay 6a Chicago
7 years ago
I read that the hardiness zone for both the swamp milkweed and butterfly weed goes as far as zone 9.You may have problems because of the excessive heat.The swan and the native both love the heat.
ily68 thanked Jay 6a Chicago
ily68
Original Author
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
I saw that, but it also says it's a native of FL, I live in Miami, FL.

http://www.sharonsflorida.com/milkweeds_native_to_florida.htm

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