Seed NeedsSwamp Milkweed Seed Packet Collection (2 Varieties of Asclepias for Planting and Attracting Monarch Butterflies) Heirloom, Untreated & Open Pollinated

EVANGELICAL COLONIZERS. SUPPORT OTHER SEED COMPANIES PLEASE.Edit: rude customer service response after I asked them to keep their religious pleas for help out of my inbox.Regrettably, I haven’t planted these seeds yet, they’re still germinating in my refrigerator, but tonight I received an email requesting a review and to let me know that a portion of my purchases are funneled to an evangelical mission group that bribes new converts in impoverished villages with healthcare and meager rations in exchange for selling their soul to their religious platform.I regret my purchase and will likely throw the seeds away, as I don’t want to pollute my garden with this energy.

I’ve read a few of the reviews here and it seems like folks struggle with germinating these.... Here’s how you do it: 1) Take the seeds and roll or fold them into a damp paper towel, put the paper towel (with seeds in it) in a zip loc plastic bag, and put in the refrigerator (do not freeze) for at least 30 days (preferably at least 60 day). This is the “cold stratification” that is required for this type of plant. 2) After 30 to 60 days of cold stratification remove the seeds and put them in seed starting potting soil. I use 16oz solo cups (use a nail to put several drain holes in bottom) and miracle grow soil. Barely cover this type of seed with soil. If you put them too deep they will not germinate as they require light to germinate. Optimal germination temperature is around 75f. They will not germinate in cold or hot conditions. They need to be in the “goldilocks” zone around 68f to 80f. 3) Germination should take around 5 to 14 days. Transplant to garden after hardening off for 7 to 10 days when the seedlings have at least 4 true leaves..... I had almost 90% of these seeds germinate using that method. They’re going into the garden tomorrow morning. Also it’s very rare for incarnata to flower first or even second year as the plant is dedicating energy to developing the root system. Hope that helps anyone who’s been struggling or planning on helping the monarchs and other pollinators!

Update: planted in 2019 (review below). They all came up again in 2020. It’s now 2021 and some of them are sprouting already again!!I planted about 20 seeds (10 pink and 10 white). I used a sun lamp and most germinated. Unfortunately, I only ended up with about 8 seedlings by the time I transplanted them outside as some did not survive (probably not the seeds fault). Once in the ground, the remaining plants have thrived! I read that they wouldn’t bloom the first year, but the shortest plant is starting to bloom. Monarchs visited us and laid eggs last week and we now have teeny, tiny caterpillars! This is not the same variety that grows wild in Pennsylvania, but appears to be doing well nonetheless. Hope the milkweed survives the winter.

Apparently the trick is figuring out how to get these to germinate. I went for this particular pair of Asclepias seeds for a part of my garden where all the other flowers are pink, white, and blue. I bought these last year, in 2019. I put them in the freezer for a few weeks and then tried to germinate them. As the instructions stated, it did take a long time (around a month) for them to germinate. I didn't feel that I was massively successful but I got a few started indoors and put them out in the garden. They did fine but didn't bloom -- which might be as expected for the first year.I decided to try again in 2020, and I also decided to try to start slow-growing perennials indoors sooner than most advice calls for. In the meantime, the seeds had been wintering in the garage. I pressed the seeds into peat pellets and put them on a seedling heat mat under a basic, cheap grow light. To my surprise, this time, the seeds germinated in about 5 days! I also have some that are *not* on the heat mat and they haven't germinated yet.I think the lesson is: if you're not having great luck with germination, give them a longer spell in the freezer, and apply heat and light when you do start them.

I followed the suggested procedure of cold stratification for 30 days in my refrigerator, and then planted 2-3 seeds per peat pot. I am very pleased with the germination rate. I gave seeds to my sister, and her germination rate was also very good. When they get a bit bigger, I will transplant them into my garden.

Packaging looks great and really excited these seeds were available. This plant in general is not the easiest to germinate and I should have planted more seeds. Once received in the mail, the seeds went into the back of the refrig. for two weeks (per some reading online and don't remember what the actual packaging suggests). Was hoping to get 18 plants and put about 3-4 seeds per red solo cup and placed in a seed sprouting tray. About 3 of these germinated and sprouted up about two weeks later. Two were kept inside and one was planted outside (after last frost) and they are about equal size still. The two still indoors will go outdoors soon and just wanted to see if there would be a difference in growth (no difference above ground but the roots are probs. diff.) Excited to see these flowers and attract some of those butterflies and other insects. Overall, wish more of these germinated and thanks for offering the seeds!

I tilled the ground and direct sowed these out in a open area behind our house in 2019 along with some Daisies and Rudbeckia. The Rudbeckia and Daisies came up in '19, and bloomed beautifully last year. I had given up on the Milkweed. But this spring I was out back and mixed in with the weeds, were more than a dozed Milkweed plants. I cleaned up around them are they are doing great. Probably would be further along had I been more observant last year, but couldn't be happier with the eventual results. We see Monarchs flying around them on a regular basis.Hopefully we'll get some blooms this year! Will be ordering more!