How To Cold Stratify Milkweed Seeds

Most native milkweed seeds require cold stratification in order to germinate and abound into salubrious plants. What does that mean?

Common cold Stratification is a cold, moist period that breaks seed dormancy. In nature, this process occurs in winter, keeping seeds from germinating until conditions are more than ideal in the jump. Milkweed and other perennials (plants that live for several years) are more probable to require common cold stratification. Cold stratification is very of import for the germination and growth of native milkweeds.

Native milkweed seed pods, such as this of Mutual Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) typically popular open in the fall allowing the wind to spread the seeds.

Without prolonged exposure to common cold temperatures, your milkweed seed is unlikely to sprout. In the wild, seed dormancy is usually overcome by the seed spending time in the ground through a winter period and having its hard seed coat softened by frost and weathering action. Past doing so the seed is undergoing a natural course of "cold stratification".

Can I just besprinkle milkweed seeds? Y'all can. That's how nature does information technology. Simply, if yous desire the plants in a sure place or better odds of formation, they will need your help.

Autumn Sowing

If you live where it freezes in the winter, belatedly fall is a good time fordirect sowing milkweed seeds outdoors. The do good is that nature provides the wintertime conditions needed to stratify the seeds and expose them to cold and moist conditions. The alternating freeze and thaw of wintertime helps break down the seed coat and starts the growing process. Once the sun comes out and the basis is warm in the spring, the seeds will germinate on their ain.

Winter Sowing

Winter sowing is another method that allows Mother Nature to cold stratify milkweed seeds. Winter sowing is the process where seeds are sowed outdoors in the winter, typically in milk jug, or any other plastic container with a hat. The plastic containers human action like a mini greenhouse and foreclose the seeds from drying out and protect the seeds from hungry critters. Winter sowing works best in USDA Zones 4-8.

Illustrated by Martha Atkins of Skycrest Studios. Used with permission.

Click hither to read more about winter sowing milkweed seeds: http://butterfly-lady.com/winter-sowing-milkweed-seeds/

Leap Sowing

If y'all want to wait until leap to constitute your seeds you will demand to be certain that you lot cold stratify your seeds inside the fridge for at least 45 days. The simplest is to put seeds in moist soil or peat and shop in an old refrigerator. If yous don't desire soil in your refrigerator, y'all can likewise layer seeds betwixt moist paper towels in a plastic container or Ziploc purse in your crisper, keeping them cold for a minimum of 3 weeks and upwards to 3 months.

Yous can go a caput start and found the seeds indoors in containers subsequently they have been cold stratified in the refrigerator. Milkweed seeds tin be direct sown in bound, just transplants have improve success. Fill pots or trays with calorie-free, well-tuckered soil. I strongly propose using Pro Seed Starting Mix Contains that contains MYCOACTIVE, a proprietary formula to stimulate vigorous growth. Add together the seeds and press downward onto the soil. Y'all do non need to cover the seeds but if you do, practice and so with just an 8th of an inch of soil. Keep soil moist and pots in a sunny, warm spot or under grow lights until the seeds germinate.

The seeds volition take approximately x days to germinate. Once at that place are 4 true leaves on the seedlings (the seedlings will exist approximately three inches alpine), the plants can exist transplanted into your garden once the danger of frost has passed.

Most milkweed species practice all-time in full sunlight, then choose an open area with lots of lord's day so clear a patch in a sunny spot, giving each plant plenty of room to spread its roots. H2o often until your plants are established.

Expert luck with your milkweed seeds and allow u.s. know how information technology goes!

Source: http://butterfly-lady.com/three-ways-to-sow-native-milkweed-seeds/

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