I planted some Scarlet Milkweed (Ascelpias curassavica) http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/604/index.html from seed last year. It's an annual here in zone 4b. I was wondering whether it will self sow for me or whether I should start some babies. Does anyone have any experience? I know if I waited until the spring, my question would be answered, but I'm one of those impatient types (if you can call a gardener an impatient type!) lol
Sandy
This message was edited Jan 20, 2007 9:05 AM
Will Scarlet Milkweed reseed for me?
I'll be waiting for the answer to this too Sandy. I have some of these guys winter sown, and some seed saved back in case they don't work well with WS.
--Ginny
Ginny, I sowed this variety both WS and indoors last year, but I can't remember whether the winter sown ones were a success. I need to keep better records this year! I recorded what I sowed and when, but I didn't record any germination info. Anyway, I'd love a whole swathe of them so I'd be happy to know if they self seed generously. If they don't self seed well, then I'll need to buy some more seed to start some more. I know I should have collected the seed... but I did leave the seedheads in the bed for the winter. Guess I'll keep my fingers crossed.
Sandy
Sandy, I know I'm a couple zones ahead of you, but, I've seen the scarlet milkweed growing wild on highway banks.
Unless thay planted it all over the place, with the crown vetch........
We did have it once for a few years, but it never seeded or flowered a heck of a lot. I think it was unhappy :(
Steve
echoes
Jan 21, 2007
They could reseed for you Sandy. They reseeded here, but were very late maturing so didn't get seeds for the next year from them.
Thanks Steve and echoes. If the wild milkweed on the highway banks in southern parts is one and the same as mine, then maybe I will have a lot of reseeding going on! But as echoes says, maybe it's a zone issue where the seeds don't get a chance to mature before the cold weather sets in. OK, now my toes are crossed too! lol
Sandy
Heres the one I had, it was Asclepias tuberosa. http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/73/index.html
I'm pretty sure this is the wild one. Sorry about that.
Steven
Ah, yes, Butterfly Weed...I do have that one in the garden and it's a perennial. That's OK, Steve, 'cept now I have to cross something else as well and fingers and toes, eh? lol
Sandy
Do you have any seed from last year? You could always start them as backup and if last years did reseed then you'll know for next year...
Naw, that's just it, I don't have any left and I didn't collect the seed either. I think I'll try tomorrow to add them to my Dominion Seed order.
Let me know if you don't have any luck with that Sandy. I have a few extra that I could send you.
--Ginny
Thanks, Ginny! I'll send you a dmail.
Sandy