Category Archives: Milkweed
Tropical Milkweed – All I Know
Tropical Milkweed, Asclepias curassavica, also called blood flower, is one of my favorite annuals to grow in the St. Louis area. It’s not only a host plant for monarchs, but is also an attractive nectar plants for the fall migrating … Continue reading
Milkweed Seed from Everwilde
One of the cheapest places to buy tropical milkweed seed is Everwilde.com. They only charge $2.50 for 500 seeds and only $2.00 in shipping. They also have quite a few other seeds available so give them a try. I bought … Continue reading
Aphids on Milkweed – what to do
One of the truths when growing milkweed is that you not only get milkweed, but you also get other bugs which love milkweed – besides monarch butterflies. Aphids are the main pest, but also you may get quite a few … Continue reading
Filed under Milkweed, Pests, Uncategorized
Milkweed Seeds
1650 milkweed seeds for $7.00 – now that’s a bargain. Everwilde.com seem to be a great and economical source for milkweed seeds. It works out to be a bit more than 2 cents per plant – it doesn’t get much … Continue reading
Filed under Butterfly Gardening, Milkweed, Plant Propagation, Seeds
Milkweed Pollination
After a very poor year of milkweed seeds, I thought I’d try some hand pollination and see if that helps. In many flowers and fruits you can just go around with a small water color brush and move the pollen … Continue reading
Filed under Milkweed, Plant Propagation
Buying Milkweed Seeds
I’ve found a nice source for new varieties of milkweed seeds – Butterfly Encounters. They’ve got fast service, reasonable prices, good directions on their website and around twenty different types of milkweed – perennials and annuals. They did a nice … Continue reading
Filed under Host Plant, Milkweed, Monarch
Starting Seeds in the Frig
Some seeds need cold stratification to germinate. What I always do is to plant the seeds outside and let Mother Nature do the rest. I’ve never had any luck trying to cold-stratify in the refrigerator. I’m going to try the … Continue reading
Filed under Host Plant, Milkweed, Plant Propagation
Loaves-Fishes-Milkweed
If you’re familiar with the story in the bible where the loaves and fishes were multiplied to feed many people, you can do the same sort of thing with your Asclepias incarnata, Swamp milkweed. Violets are a bit aggressive in … Continue reading
Filed under Butterfly Gardening, Milkweed
Milkweed Liquid from Flowers
I’m not quite sure why this tropical milkweed decided to produce this sticky liquid. It may have been because I was trying to pollinate it with a tiny paintbrush. I’m wondering if this is a concentrated nectar? Any ideas?
Filed under Butterfly Gardening, Milkweed, Nectar Plant
Tropical Milkweed – Fall Tips
Tropical milkweed, Asclepias curassavica, is an annual in the north and will die back with a hard freeze. To have new plants next year, you need to collect the dried seed pods in a paper bag, let them dry totally … Continue reading
Filed under Butterfly Gardening, Host Plant, Milkweed, Monarch
