Milkweed Planting and Care & Where to Find Milkweed

Milkweed Planting and Care & Where to Find Milkweed

By Mona Miller on Thursday, August 28, 2014 at 8:34pm

Planting:

• Seeds and plants should be planted in full sun to partial shade (3-4 hours of sun).
• Seeds collected in the fall can be planted right away.  Seeds of perennials saved over the winter will need a cold treatment unless they have been kept in cold storage (garage or outside building) or collected from pods that wintered over outdoors.  Leave them in the refrigerator for 6-8 weeks before planting them (see the Butterfly Encounters link for detailed instructions.)  
• How to Video on Collecting and Harvesting Common Milkweed, Asclepias syriaca, Seeds (without most of the fluff):  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhjkC1Mbzlg  (This technique can be used for many milkweed species where the pods have not split/popped open.)
• Plant them in ordinary garden soil.
• Seeds should not be planted more than 1 inch deep.  Press down soil after planting.
• Milkweed seeds of many native species can also be winter sowed. Here are the directions for winter sowing: http://tinyurl.com/ouexpn6
• Water the first year.
• Do not use any pesticides. 

Aphids:

     Oleander Aphids are the primary pest of milkweeds.  Their numbers usually increase in the fall.  The major problem with the aphids is the honeydew that is produced. They do not harm Monarch caterpillars. But, the honeydew can result in a sooty mold fungal disease that will weaken and may kill the plant.  The information and websites in the links section will help you learn more about combating aphids.

• Do not over fertilize because the nitrogen attracts aphids.
• Do not over water.
• Do not use pesticides because they will kill Monarch caterpillars.
• Do squish aphids with your hands or use clear tape.  The glue on the tape takes off the aphids.
• Do use burst of water from a hose to knock off the aphids.
• If the aphids are heavy, the top of the plant may need to be cut back. 
• As a last resort, you can make a soap and water spray and spray your plants.  But, make sure there are no Monarch eggs or caterpillars on the plants before you spray. Here are directions and the recipe for an inexpensive soap spray: http://tinyurl.com/qgq95eq

Managing Established Plants

• Mature milkweed plants of the common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) can be cut back in early summer to force them to regrow to provide tender leaves in early fall.  Cut them back in mid to late June, but this depends on your growing season.  
• I usually wait for them to flower before I cut them back because they produce nectar for many pollinators.
• They can be cut back to a height of 2' or back to the ground.  Make a straight not diagonal cut just above a leaf node (where the leaves are attached to the stem).  
• If you want to collect seeds, do not cut all of your plants back.  Most plants that are cut back will not have time to produce seeds by the fall.  
• Check leaves of milkweed cuttings for any eggs or caterpillars.  
• Milkweed plant cuttings, can be washed and used to feed caterpillars. Cut milkweed can be placed in the refrigerator for several days to keep it fresh. Wash it, wrap it in paper towel and place it into plastic bags.  It is best to keep it in the vegetable bin.  

Links for reference on planting and caring for milkweed:

http://www.monarchwatch.org/milkweed/guide/index.htm
  Monarch Watch Milkweed Photo Guide

http://www.monarchwatch.org/milkweed/prop.htm
   Monarch Watch, Propagation (Growing Milkweed)

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPPrXuU30BROmIJZN22AbTQ (videos are at the bottom of the page)
   Butterfly Encounters (Instructions include video demonstration for starting seeds.)

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150356576124949.1073741829.57837984948&type=3
  (Facebook)  Milkweed Propagation (plants, seeds, rhizomes), plus information on diseases.

http://www.mymonarchguide.com/2007/08/milkweed-leaf-problems.html
  My Monarch Guide, Milkweed Leaf Problems

http://www.mobot.org/gardeninghelp/plantfinder/Pests.asp?genus=Asclepias&care=Asclepias
  Problems Associated with Asclepias (Milkweed)

http://washingtonareabutterflies.wordpress.com/gardening-for-butterflies/
   Washington Area Butterfly Club, Gardening for Butterflies

http://npsot.org/wp/story/2014/5885/
  How to collect milkweed seeds (Texas)
  
http://www.ourhabitatgarden.org/creatures/milkweed-growing.html
  Growing Milkweeds for Monarchs (how to collect seeds, propagate them, and how to grow from rhizomes and how to divide mature plants).

http://www.xerces.org/milkweeds-a-conservation-practitioners-guide/