When to start milkweed seeds for spring planting

Hi, I'm in zone 6 in Ohio and I'm wondering when I should plant my tropical milkweed and "family jewels" milkweed seeds indoors so they'll be ready for spring planting?
I have a heated pad so the seeds stay warm, which I've read speeds up germination.
Any suggestions?

I think, now. These are perennials and most perennials aren't as fast getting to bloom as annuals like marigold.

That's what other websites have said too because if I would sew seeds in open ground in May they would take forever to get going.
Thanks!

Poor Germination rates on seeds, good luck, it is usually a plant that needs a yr or two or 3 to strengthen up.

Unfortunately, in OH it's treated as an annual, but I ordered some tropical milkweed plants from an on-line nursery and they brought tons of Monarchs and I released over 100 Monarchs last year :)

Well done, rljr!
Do you have any windowsills to spare? Two years ago I was given some nursery starts of tropical MW that never made it into a garden. I potted them up, kept them barely alive on a cool windowsill, and they grew like mad once they got in the garden. So in early fall I took cuttings, rooted them, and have three pots of them going on a cool bright windowsill. It might get earlier bloom than seedlings, not sure. They're a little easier for me to do, too, than seedlings. They just need enough light to limp along, not the bright lights of seed starting shelves.

I have started some tropical MW from cuttings before. That's a good idea, bring some in in the fall! Will do that this autumn.
Yesterday after soaking some tropical MW seeds in water overnight I decided to bbc try the paper towel method for starting seeds. These are seeds that I saved from last year.

Sally---

Since I have my Tropical MW cuttings growing well by my bright, warm BR window
(NOT under lights--but bright) do you think I should move them to a cooler location?
They seem to be doing OK. You saw the one I brought to the seed Swap .
They seem to have stopped growing taller--but still doing well. I Wonder why?

Now and then I realize they need to be watered--and I do. Do they suffer from
going a bit dry for a few days?
I think I will keep them as is and where is. Any other suggestions?
Thanks--G.

PS--feels so good to be posting on DG now and then --I know how everything works.

Hey!!!!
You don't have to P revue any more! I just clicked on "post"--and it went.
YEAH!!! G.

Gita, they sounds just fine as they are. They look better than mine, what else do you need?

Well the paper towel method seems to be working, came home today and 2 of my tropical MW seeds have tails :)

Awesome!!!!