Planting Milkweed Part 2 - Sprouting & Growth (Help The Monarch Butterfly)

This is Part 2 of a four part series on one way to collect Common Milkweed seeds, germinate them, and plant them at home or in the wild. All of this is in an effort to help out the Monarch Butterfly populations, and give them the needed food for their caterpillars. Milkweed has significantly been reduced along their migration paths due to development and the use of herbicides. This is one species that you CAN help directly from doing some very easy, affordable things in your own back yard!

[@pricklypear7516]

"Mad World" on piano was a brilliant choice. So appropriate for a world in which people choose Round-up over Monarch Butterflies.

[@jimrogers4528]

After your milkweed has had most of the leafs eaten I cut off about 8" off the top and put in water. In about 3 weeks it will have grown roots. The part that was left in the ground will grow new shoots and get bushey.

[@jetskijay1955]

It would be a very sad world without the monarch.

[@audyo14]

But what about a mad world

[@coreypro3482]

Really appreciate you making these videos- starting my own little forest of Milkweed this year- going to see how many monarchs I can breed- hopefully it’s in the thousands- live in the Chicagoland area- there is a ton of Milkweed in some of the local fields- went seed hunting today and found thousands of them- anyone need any seeds let me know I’ll send you the pods-

[@henpeckedlizard9873]

Still available?

[@chrisrichtsmeier]

Still available? lol

[@jalex2272]

Thanks for being a part of saving the planet!! It takes all kinds of different efforts. Your effort is respectable and bad ass!! You’re a stud!

[@MrLundScience]

Just doin' how I do. Thanks J.

[@1LetterLove]

This is my new adventure in 2020. Can’t wait for my milkweed plants to start growing. My starting date is 12-30-2019, my son’s birthday. 🦋

[@MrLundScience]

Best of luck with the plants, and I hope your son had an exciting birthday!

[@elontusk8018]

MrLundScience 5 years and you’re still replying? Nice!

[@robbiest]

How’s the plant going?

[@Firelegs101]

When I was back visiting a friend in my hometown of Kansas, she loaded me up with all kinds of seeds to take back to Georgia. One baggie contained milk weed seeds! And now I found your wonderful videos! Great intro and music choice. Thank you!

[@MrLundScience]

Very cool! Good luck with the upcoming season!

[@1LetterLove]

Well only after three days my seeds are sprouting!! Awesome 🦋

[@MrLundScience]

And they're off!

[@lindashansen2561]

If you use cardboard egg containers, you can just cut them and plant them without desturbing them.

[@MrLundScience]

Linda S Hansen Yes, this is definitely an option. The plants that are already growing in my yard in Part 3 were actually done in a similar fashion with the small portion pots that are biodegradable. Toilet paper or paper towel cardboard stock tubes work as well, if you stuff some further cardboard in the bottom to keep the soil in.

[@jeans7393]

if you have a problem w mold use styrofoam cartons ..but they arent as earth friendly

[@chrisrichtsmeier]

Novel idea

[@judithdettore8119]

Thank you Mr. Lund!!! Your videos have helped me with my monarch rearing, and made me aware of the importance of keeping milkweed available for the them. I actually took some smaller plants and transferred them to my wild flower garden made for hummingbirds and butterflies. They came up great in the early spring and now I will def collect the pods and germinate future plants! Love your T-shirts too!

[@MrLundScience]

It's tough for me to pass on some of the more nerdy shirts that call to me. Great to hear that you're helping out the Monarchs! Thank you for doing what you can!

[@bethclark569]

Mine germinated within 5 days and there's more coming out of their pods like "the body snatchers" lol thank you

[@MrLundScience]

+Beth Clark Ha! Body snatchers! Good analogy! They are the "nutrient snatchers"!

[@pollyhorlander7389]

Beth Clark mine germinated in the ground in 5 days in hot Texas dirt. I hope they live.

[@mancavegamingandgardening9901]

I cannot wait to start my seeds this year. I was lucky enough to find some Purple Milkweed - listed among Wisconsin's endangered plants! I fully intend on starting all of the seeds and then planting as many as possible. Monarchs are going to never want to leave the backyard

[@MrLundScience]

Spring is such a cool time of the year. I'm excited to hear the Spring Peepers soon. But as well, it's time to start germinating my seeds which will hopefully start some new patches for future visiting Monarchs. Plenty of preparation to do! Good luck with your seeds.

[@chrisrichtsmeier]

How is your purple milkweed doing?

[@ckwilli8142]

Wow! I've been germinating my milkweed seeds for only four days and three of them already have small sprouts. Thanks for all the informative content, great entertainment and something to do during this quarantine.

[@frankborg7871]

Thanks for the videos. I have been following your methods since fall collection and doing my first germination. I am using rolled newspaper into flat bottom cones for initial planting after they Germinate. I thought I would need a lot of newspaper to do it but after cutting them into 2" X 12" strips I have hundreds so far. Will need at least 1 to 2 thousand as I went overboard collecting. Good thing i have 27 acres of land. Thank you again.

[@sheilawalsh4104]

I just collected my first pod of seeds. I’m excited to start germinating them. Thank you for your inspirational videos.

[@MrLundScience]

I'm excited for you! Great chance to do some citizen science and help out a worthy animal! Thanks for jumping on board.

[@samanthasescalante1787]

How big are they now

[@yes350yes]

Yep started some seed less than a week ago and many have sprouted. I have in a tupperware tray on a wet paper towel.,, another wet paper towel on top of that and a lid with one corner open for air. Surprised how quickly germination happened.

[@hazelyoung7574]

Thank you for your help with the butterfly love too

[@MrLundScience]

You're definitely welcome!

[@Emiliapocalypse]

I pre-sprouted all my seeds on a heat mat this year and had really good success. Haven’t tried milkweed yet, but you got me inspired to find my seeds and give it a shot! Haha thanks on behalf of me and the butterflies. Initially to pre-sprout I used paper towel in ziploc baggies and and cotton pads in some clean takeout sauce cups that I’d saved. But occasionally I’d leave the seedlings for too long before planting, and had a tough time of pulling tiny delicate seed roots from the cotton or towel. But another youtuber also pre-sprouts his seeds, and he used Kleenex instead! I facepalmed when I realized I could have saved myself so much struggle had I just used a paper that dissolved, rather than paper towel or cotton that likes to hold it’s structure. Same sprouting results, but easier seedling retrieval! Little to no broken roots from pulling or tearing at the towel. Thanks for a great video, you’re inspiring people to help the butterflies! Take care and keep on growing ✌️

[@knightbook1003]

Wish you would’ve been my sci teacher as a kid. You’re really cool. Thx for all your help!!🐛🐛🐛🐛🐛🐛🐛

[@gloriadennis6068]

First time monarch enthusiast . Your videos very interesting and helpful

[@paulpage3428]

I have had great success with water germination. Thank you for great training

[@sonyasmith9183]

So I definitely didn't see this video and have been harvesting seeds for several years now this year it's been extremely wet all spring and so they finally had enough water to germinate in the ground and actually grow a whole bunch of plants that are about the size of the ones you have on June 7th. They're everywhere in like six 12 inch plant pots that are full and I planted a whole bunch of seeds where I have a couple of milkweed Roots growing already from 6 years ago or so. I did not know they needed to soak that long! At least this your mother nature took care of it for me though:-)

[@jetskijay1955]

My goal in 2017 is to plant 10-20 native desert milkweeds around my yard. Now if that's not a relevant New Years goal I don't know what is.

[@MrLundScience]

Great goal. Good luck!

[@jeans7393]

i just ordered some from burpees which is doing a buy one get one free seeds sale with free shipping coneflower was my other choice for nectar..i also grow flatleaf parsley & the orange milkweeds

[@vistaprime]

what's desert milkweed?

[@ModernNeandertal]

I put milkweed seeds on a wet napkin in a closed container with hole in lid and put them in a small greenhouse I just bought at Aldi food store. The green house is over a hot air register and within 3 days some of the seeds are sending roots out the pointed end of the seeds. I can see that this is a great way to germinate these milkweed seeds and most other seeds for that matter. Thank you for your video.

[@MrLundScience]

And honestly, this isn't my own original idea at all. I learned this from my 9th grade Biology teacher (shout out to you, Mr. Christick!). He had us do this to start pea plant seeds, but rather than a tupperware, it was with petri dishes.

[@greatpix]

It took less than a week for my seeds to sprout and the stems are already over 1" high. Yesterday I transplanted into potting soil and have been misting the soil a few times a day to keep it moist.

[@terrencegibbons3351]

Great video. I’m germinating seeds now in Boston. Hope to save the Monarchs

[@MrLundScience]

Excellent! The number one way to help is to plant milkweed. Thank you for your efforts!

[@happyhealthyhuman]

try soaking the seeds 12-24 hours prior to your sprouting process and it may happen a bit quicker. great videos I'm in.

[@MrLundScience]

Great advice! I'll try that this year. It's one of those simple ideas that you kick yourself for not realizing on your own, but the physics/chemistry of the idea makes total sense. Thanks for the tip! I'm no gardener!

[@sparkizoidful]

Soak them how? In a jar or glass of water?

[@henpeckedlizard9873]

@@sparkizoidful I think so

[@ModernNeandertal]

I put seeds in wet dirt in pots and I've got a couple actually germinated and growing. Now I find your video and wish I had done it your way to begin with. Anyway, I went out and found a pod worth of seeds laying on the ground under one of my milkweed plants in my yard. I am trying your germination method which I have high hopes for. Thanks much. By the way I am whole hog into pollinating flowers and am trying to attract as many bees, butterflies and hummingbirds as possible. I just wish all these monoculture neighbors would care about something other than how their grass looks.

[@MrLundScience]

In the midst of monoculture, you are leading by example. If you're making something visibly pleasing, it may encourage more of that. I hope this germination method works for you. I don't claim it's the best way (as I'm not a gardener), but I do easily claim it's a way I've had much success with. I'm guessing there are easier/better ways that I'm unaware of. Still, what I like about my method is that it's cheap. Practically free. Others have gotten in touch with me, letting me know of a few better ways, but they often have involved purchases of this or that. I think a good strategy for trying to get others encouraged and *active* in helping the Monarchs is to show them ways to do it that are both easy and next to free, if not free. Hope you get some success as well!

[@ericclaeyborn7008]

There have been a couple of milkweed plants growing by my driveway for the last few years, and I'm going to attempt to take those seeds and plant them in my back yard next year. I'll wait a few more weeks before I harvest the seeds... probably in early November.

[@MrLundScience]

Great plan, and great resource!

[@cyberdazed]

Thanks so much for this :)

[@jewelvibes6765]

I’m crying wall watching the beginning of this video

[@lindaedwards2342]

I've been quite successful gathering plants growing out of sidewalks

[@trevorcory887]

Great job man. Plant them as soon as a little root comes out. You have let them stretch toooo long. some will work but you will have better success if you plant them sooner in the germination progress

[@MrLundScience]

Thanks Trevor! A great tip, I'm assuming, and am forced to assume as I don't know a lot about gardening. This is just how I have had success in the past, so I never claim it's the best way, just the way I've done it. So valuable advice such as what you have provided here is always welcome! We're a learning community, and can all learn from each other.

[@NatureIntoAction]

appreciate the lesson !

[@MrLundScience]

Happy to supply it. Hope it comes in handy!

[@yes350yes]

Another way of germination is nature's way. In the past I have set out certain kinds of seed outdoors in containers thru the winter months and they will sprout. You can read up on how to do this process and have the seeds contained and not just spread everywhere, this method works so I may give this a try for milkweed.

[@rethablair6902]

New subscriber here🤗

[@TheSuburbanGardenista]

Fabulous video! I am a big fan of this plant as well - I made a little video about it too! I won't be doing any spring sowing (only fall sowing), so I'll be sending viewers your way for sure - this is very detailed direction that is interesting and easy to follow! Thanks!

[@TheSuburbanGardenista]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/rWfTXmOVa7N6f6M here's my video if you'd like to take a peek too! :)

[@chardeplate4652]

Love this. Thank you so much. I just started some seeds I got a year ago- forgot about them in the fridge- but soaked them in a tray then planted them. I didn't wait as long as you did and I like the way your seeds germinated better than mine. I have more that I will do with a paper towel instead of just a tray. I do want to go on a search for seed pods in the ditches around this summer - hopefully I can get some seeds from them.

[@MrLundScience]

Happy to help! I just found some mostly unopened seed pods last weekend. They're still out there.

[@Meadow231]

Mr. Lund, Have you posted the third part? Thank you for sharing!

[@yes350yes]

I had not been doing well with the seed I got online which needed a cold period. So today after much trekking I found a few pods. Some of the pods were long empty but some were not so I will now start over with the well-wintered seed.

[@MrLundScience]

What I like about natural found seeds is that you know that they are native to your area (assuming they aren't escaped introduced species), and, hey, free, right? While spending money on seeds can save time, I enjoy the exploration! I wish you luck with your seeds.

[@Lukehot215]

If you use vermiculite you can eliminate the risk of root damage from the paper towel.

[@MrLundScience]

Truth, right there.

[@demonorse]

We raised and released about 25 monarchs last summer, hoping to increase that amount this year by having more milkweed in the yard. We built cages for the caterpillars after we found a hornet eating a cocoon that was out in the yard. They aren't safe out there.

[@MrLundScience]

Awesome job! Thank you for helping them out!

[@juttaspeaks]

Passion flowers Support Monarch also..I had hundreds from one potted plant.

[@tylerburton4061]

I have a few questions. 1) How far do you place your transferred sprouts from the UV light for proper growth? 2) Do you think you do a video/test and planting milkweed in a potting vase and seeing if you have success with it? I live in apartments and I'm limited to where I can plant milkweed in the ground near where I live (for rearing monarchs). Btw, love and appreciate the videos and just started helping the monarchs in late 2018 but this year I'm growing as much milkweed as I can to help. Your videos have greatly helped.

[@MrLundScience]

Greetings Tyler! Some answers: 1) If you're asking what the best distance is, I don't know that I have an answer for that. I had these sprouts about 6 inches from a UV producing heat lamp. 2) I don't know how video worthy that'd be. We already know that the majority of milkweed species have far reaching root systems. Trying to grow such a plant in a restrictive pot will certainly have some success, but without having space for the roots to spread out and form the natural far reaching system that they normally do, the plant itself is unlikely to reach as full of an adult size as it could. It just doesn't seem to be a topic that needs much exploration. Further, in the time that it takes me to test it out, film it, and edit it, one could easily just try it on their own. I appreciate the suggestion, though, for sure. If your goal for question #2 is to have a supply of milkweed to use, then I say try it out and see what results you get. In the meantime, though, I plan on ordering and testing out some dried out milkweed food for caterpillars that is commercially sold. That might turn into an easier option for you, but of course, I want to see what results I get before I'm recommending something officially. Good luck!

[@terrencegibbons3351]

Subscribed

[@libbyfamily3947]

thanks

[@sarahh4760]

I’m so excited I’m starting it right now!!! Does the container need air holes?

[@MrLundScience]

Welcome aboard! The container doesn't need them. The holes were there due to the original use as a "to go" food container.

[@michellehorton9212]

I hope you're okay. I watched this year's video but am in the dark as to what is going on. Either way, hope all is good. I keep trying this method of sprouting but my seeds seem to mold before any action happens. Not sure what I'm doing wrong. Any tips would help. Thanks and good luck!

[@dottimerritt9306]

Hi you were just what I was looking for! I have lots of questions! Are there different sizes of milkweed seeds? Use a very large, and mine are very tiny that I was sent from an online purchase. Do I need to put them in the refrigerator at this time to start them? I live in South Texas very hot and humid. I would really appreciate your help thank you in advance, Dotti

[@NeNUfarchanel]

Hi! I live in an apartment and I am growing milkweed in pots, do you have any advice? I am planing on raising monarchs following your videos once my milkweed has grown. Greetings from L.A great job!

[@MrLundScience]

Nuria Estrella Santos The third part of the Planting Milkweed series is very soon to be published. In the meantime, some basic advice would be, once the plants are a good 3 -6 inches or so, they are ready and hardy enough to take to their "final residence". Once transplanted, water them once a day for at least week, and it's likely to do just fine. At that point, it's all about how much additional care you wish to put into it. I'm not much of a gardener to be honest, and once my milkweed is transplanted, I pretty much let nature do its thing. The Common Milkweed I use is quite formidable and doesn't really need my help once planted. I hope that helps!

[@frankenz66]

Would like to plant my entire hiking trails with this. I have planted milkweed with about four pods in my yard. One problem is milkweed bettles. Those orangebugs about killed a couple of my plants last year. I killed everyone I came across last year, but only a few this year. Wouldn't want to plant all that and then the bettles get them.

[@cweefy]

thanks monsanto

[@truenorth5787]

I've found they sprout in a week-10 days and grow pretty well direct in soil here in SW Houston area.

[@stacestrace6142]

I’m in Conroe and the seeds grow easily straight from the flower beds. The previous homeowner on this large lot had started a monarch sanctuary. This past spring we counted over 70 caterpillars! Found up to 40 pupae! After several weeks the yard was covered with soaring Monarchs!

[@hediab6684]

Can I just throw some seeds in my garden in April/May-ish?

[@nschetter]

What do you do to get the stems to stiffen up after you plant them in the individual plastic spots while they're under the light lamp? Also, how much light do you provide them a day when you have them under the lamp?

[@cathyplantlover2862]

I'm growing common milkweed but I've also planted swamp,and purple, the common is easier to germinate.

[@greengalca]

Great videos, Thanks! Do you do the first part germinate one, if you buy seeds?

[@MrLundScience]

+Tammy “greengalca” Strongitharm I have never bought seeds, but I would imagine that I, myself, still would. It's fully optional.

[@Debbiesnc]

Hi, Mr. Lund. I have been considering how to plant more milkweed from my seedlings in our perennial garden, so we would have more naturally growing milkweed in another area on our property. Can we not imitate nature by simply transferring seeds around the time or later from our plants and see what happens in some tilled up soil, as done with our zinnia seeds, garden lettuce, etc. ? Have you always sprouted them right away and then plant them? Thanks, I love gardening so either way is great. Our soil will grow anything, so I have faith that they will make it! I know that people would love these seeds so thinking of calling friends especially the ones I know are already interested in the health of our planet earth. I can pass along either small plants once I work on that process in spring, or the seeds in the pods! Thanks as always, could not have hope for these Monarchs without your encouragement.

[@MrLundScience]

What you describe as far as giving them a more natural way to take root is certainly an option. Once I had made the Raising Monarchs first five parts, people began asking me about milkweed, how to plant it, how to get seeds, etc. Now, I'm no gardener, but I had been using the method I show in these videos to sprout and plant my own milkweed for a few years at that time. Thus, I put these other four videos together to show people what I had been doing. I don't claim it's the best technique, nor the only technique, just one that has gotten me results and is an option. It could be seen, then, as a baseline way to do it, and definitely those who know more gardening than I could and should modify things from there to get better results if they wish. I say, experiment! Try out other methods, and compared to this one, see what works best for you. This is the preferred "Rich Lund" way. I'm sure there's a different, or slightly different, or very different and preferred "Debbie Sheegog" way to be discovered!

[@amberharrison4484]

I’m a teacher and collected monarch caterpillars for our classroom. Because I wanted to keep them inside we took clipping of our milkweed from our garden. My discovery was the clipping rooted in the water. If I just stick them in the ground will they survive over the winter? Also, not sure why you need to remove the fluff off the seeds as you mentioned.

[@MrLundScience]

Greetings Amber! To be honest, I'm not a very experienced botanist. Milkweed is certainly a tenacious plant, but I don't know if just clippings will be able to survive. To my (admittedly limited) knowledge, I think that it needs an established root system to be able to survive. It's tough to say. As for the fluff, it's mostly removed to keep things tidy. It isn't 100% necessary, but it also gets practically everywhere. If you're aiming to store seeds or gift them to others, not having the fluff will definitely be preferred. Good luck!

[@peggypeggy4137]

Dear Mr Lund Science, I I was given some milkweed plants that were cut from the bottom, like a bouquet. I was told that they needed cold over the winter, so I put them out in my freezing cold shed. Now it is May, Some of the pods are starting to open. Can I germinate them like you did on your videos, using this process? Also, have the Monarch butterflies increased since the reports that I saw in 2015? Also--last year we had thousands of Monarchs in our backyard. They absolutely love the bamboo plant that's back there. I had never seen so many, which is why I thought they may have increased --due to people planting milkweed? Any advice or info would be appreciated.

[@saltlifegull4091]

Absolutely love your videos and passion for the Monarchs, but OMG you put so much work into these seeds, lol. Why don't you just propagate from cuttings? I do this year round. Just too slow growing from seeds, but I do collect the seeds and sprinkle them around. Don't have that much time to babysit seedlings. Keep up the great work and I'm sharing your videos to friends!

[@loujeannecuje1864]

Thank you for the awesome videos! My seeds came with instructions to refrigerate the seeds for 60-90 days before planting. Is this necessary?

[@MrLundScience]

Hey, you're welcome! Whether seeds need a cold spell or not depends upon the species, and I don't know that I know enough to weigh in from species to species. The seeds I use are Asclepias syriaca. I can speak on those, but even what I say is somewhat not conclusive. I was told before that my Common Milkweed seeds needed to be frozen for two weeks. Thing is...I was told this after I had already had many successful attempts of growing seeds from a batch that I had collected in the fall and had kept indoors throughout the winter. So, I can claim knowledge that no, it is not necessary. Now, is there an advantage to freezing them for a period of time? That's still a possibility. I don't know for sure on that. I know that without freezing, the seeds I've used have been able to sprout using this germination process I show in this video. I also know that not all did, but, it wasn't a huge percentage. Less than one in ten didn't sprout, which hardly makes the freezing a necessary thing. That's the best that I can tell you, I'm afraid. Good luck with them!

[@cjm10203]

Works better with a chop stick. Poke hole. Insert seedling. Gently pack.

[@gj939]

@MrLundScience - I collected an abundance of common milkweed and butterfly weed seeds last fall, per your example. I am now placing the collected seeds in their containers, and I want to know if you keep the containers in a dark environment or in a light environment.

[@MrLundScience]

Well, for starters, I normally don't start growing my seeds until spring, so that I don't have to worry about outdoor conditions causing frost. That way, they stay outside and receive natural sunlight, but still are in the containers to preserve moisture. However, there have been times where I've started them early, and have kept them under solar lamps. I have the benefit of a life enhanced by reptiles at home. I have a box turtle, a ball python, and a bearded dragon. Thus, these solar light heat lamps are readily available at my house. It's certainly an option for others, with or without reptiles at home, but I don't think it's necessary for success.

[@arizonacoinandbullioncolle3405]

I hope to get seeds I really would like to help the butterflies.

[@ellenkellich8267]

Mr. Lund, do you need to cold stratify your seeds prior to soaking? Love your videos, keep up the good work!

[@MrLundScience]

Greetings Ellen! People have told me that yes, they should be for better results. However, I have used seeds that have been naturally out all winter, and seeds that were collected in the fall and kept indoors (at room temperature) throughout the winter. I have seen no difference of the two types in my experience. So, I know that you don't need to, specifically, and I have no evidence for or against a benefit to cold stratifying, other than other people's testimony. Hope that helps!

[@johnifly]

Mr. Lund, you do an EXCELLENT job making these videos but I respectfully disagree with you on the CMS (cold moist stratification) topic. Some but NOT ALL milkweed need CMS depending on what kind of milkweed that you grow. In the case of Common and Swamp Milkweed, they need to go through CMS to IMPROVE germination rates. I've raised Common Milkweed with and without CMS and there is a MARKED difference! The ones I started (a whole seed flat full) of milkweed that DIDN'T have CMS had only one or two sprout. Then the following year I CMS'd the seeds and had 98% germination. So they DO need CMS if you want great germination rates! Now, as you mentioned, you can let nature do the job for you by leaving them outside in a pot (or plot) of soil out in the garden or wherever you want to start them. I've even seen how it's done using 1-gallon plastic milk containers. But yes, if you want better germination, they need to go through a cold winter and moist Spring to germinate better! :-) John R. Unell, FB Group Onwer, Monarchs and Milkweed.

[@MrLundScience]

Hey John, thanks for the support. I don't know if you disagree with me or not, as I totally agree with you (if that make sense). All I can speak of is from my own experience, and as stated in the above comment, I myself have seen absolutely no difference in germination rates. Now, if you have, then yes, that certainly is new data and info that should be taken into account. It would certainly show that there is a difference. Perhaps this is a worthy experiment to test out? Sounds like a great idea for a video. This season, I can collect pods, and have a control that I just leave outside all winter, an experimental group where I keep them in the freezer in my home for a period of time, and another experimental group that stays indoors, dry, and warm. Then, in the spring, I can attempt to germinate them and see if there's a difference. That would be cool, eh? Thanks for your reply to this, as well, for the more information, the better!

[@johnifly]

You're welcome Mr. Lund. Yes, that's what I was saying above about experimenting with germination rates. The one year I just planted them as is with no CMS (cold moist stratification) and only two germinated. That was in 2014 and then last year I did the full CMS treatment in the 'fridge and all but maybe two germinated so the success rate was MUCH BETTER when they went through the cold moist treatment! Yes, that would be neat if you did that experiment and let your viewers know the results. Either way, we are growing monarchs for the milkweed and it is WORKING!!! YES!!!! :-D ;-) Thanks for your series Mr. Lund and keep making more, especially on the monarchs if you find something that would benefit all of the monarch lovers out there! :-)

[@MrLundScience]

More are on the way. I know that I will have two more from this season, possibly three. They would have been out earlier (at least two of them would), but it has been a pretty rough season for me finding eggs. Last year, I released 308 total. This year, I was up to only 17 lives taken in, and the first one wasn't until very late July. (Yesterday, however, on a jog I found 12 eggs all in one spot. That helps!) Couldn't make the videos I had planned without the stars of the show!

[@kitty_1960]

I wonder if watering with willow water would help with seeds sprouting? Thank you for your video, I just got some seeds from ebay and look forward to growing them!

[@MrLundScience]

+Kitty Nikolai Excellent! Good luck with your efforts!

[@jessieplaysmusic8530]

To bad the dirt from your garden looks amazing.

[@MrBroomy]

One suggestion would be to use sterilized potting soil to put your seedlings in instead of garden soil. This would reduce the chance of damping off (mold) that kills young starts. Keep up the good work.

[@MrLundScience]

+Dickie B That's a quality suggestion, indeed. In the videos, I was always trying to show the cheap way to do it without sacrificing care of the monarchs/plants. Certainly, though, if someone wishes to put some extra funding into their project, sterilized potting soil is a worthy option!

[@MrBroomy]

We appreciate the cheap approach. Also, not sure where you are but here in the midwest, milkweed (like swamp, butterfly weed and common varieties) need cold stratification for seeds to sprout, 3-6 weeks in the frig will do it with moist paper towels.

[@MrLundScience]

+Dickie B I have heard that before, or things similar, but I did not mention that in the video because honestly, that was not true for my seeds! I'm in Michigan, and the seeds I used for sprouting came from fall pods that had been collected in late September before any frosts. They stayed in my heated home, save for a month where I took some to my classroom at school. At no point did my seeds freeze or even get chilly, and they still sprouted. I'm not sure what to make of the cold claims. I'm planning on running an experiment this winter with three pods from the same plant. One I'll keep outdoors (where I know where it is and the squirrels can't get to it!), one will be placed in my freezer from fall collection until the end of February, and one will be kept indoors and never frozen. We'll see what we get!

[@theredstonehive]

I have a 365nm CFL black light, will that work okay? Will only UVA at least be better than not giving them any UVA/B?

[@cyberdazed]

Did you have to water it again at anytime or you just watered it that first time and left it that way for 29 days?

[@MrLundScience]

Yes, I'd mist if it ever looked a little dry. Wanted to make sure the paper towel always looked obviously moist, but don't want the seeds sitting in any pools of water that would cause them to float.

[@ms.lesliebelluz4206]

Hello Rich, I am messaging from Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. Im wondering if you STRATIFY your seeds before germinating. I am a Gr. 2 teacher. We want to germinate some seeds to start a milkweed garden in our school yard.I have already started some of our seeds using both the plastic baggy method and the paper towel method as you show above.

[@MrLundScience]

Greetings neighbor to the north! (Do you know Sarnia, Ontario? I grew up in Port Huron, Michigan, and would take many a trip across the bridge to Sarnia. Nice city!) The seeds in this video were naturally cold stratified, as they were the ones I collected in Part 1 of the Planting Milkweed series from pods that hadn't opened up properly in the fall. However, I have also germinated seeds I've collected in the fall that I kept at room temperature, indoors throughout the winter. This was before I knew about cold stratifying, and the thing is...they germinated fine. I was surprised when I first found some sources on the internet stating that they needed to be cold stratified. Surprised that they were using the word "need" in the description. I saw no significant difference (or really any difference) from batches of seeds of Common Milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) that have been cold stratified verses ones that haven't. There are some who have had very strong opinions about the statement I just made...but the evidence I've experienced remains. I have not seed any large advantage to it. Not saying it isn't perhaps better, statistically. But, I don't know that to be true. I hope that helps!

[@aprilek6568]

Did you have these seeds in the fridge at all? I don’t think you said. Was it right from seed pod to the container?

[@linedallaire6637]

We will do this year

[@freebutterfly102]

Please Reply. My goal is saving Monarchs. I’m trying to grow seeds indoors in November Zone 9b . Already been cold wet stratification for 3 months in refrigerator. Most I planted 2 mos ago outside & barely starting to sprout because it’s 50* day & night 30*s F so it’s starting to get cold. Okay I started a bunch of seeds in soil in my house 68* temperature. And purchased $10 Plant Grow light Amazon. How long do I keep them in light, and can I raise the, inside until Spring. I want them to sprout faster . When would I finally plant them outside? Keep in mind I have many already outside baby sprouts. Now I want these to be grown indoors. What’s best way & when can I plant them in ground. Can I wait until Spring when weather warms up? Or is that bad for the Showy Milkweed (my zone) Outside temps at night are in 30*

[@jessicadavis16]

Did you have mold grow at all in trying to sprout?

[@martystevens2313]

I collected in the fall from the swamp milkweed in my garden, dried the seeds, and stored them in the refrigerator in a ziplock bag. In May I took the seeds and planted them in jiffy peat pellets. They all germinated and I have been planting them all around my garden the past few weeks. Today, I found my first caterpillar on a plant a friend gave me last year! I have named him Monty and he is now safe inside munching away! photos.app.goo.gl/nQxSrQS4271qjeE97

[@martystevens2313]

Leaf I.d. of the type he is on in the photo? It is a much broader leaf than my swamp milkweed, but not as leathery and thick as the wild milkweed I have across the street.

[@MrLundScience]

Cool name for a caterpillar. I've met a few pets that were Monty's, but all were pythons!

[@MrLundScience]

Common Milkweed, Asclepias syriaca, is the only species of milkweed that is in any of my videos. That's all I really find and have in my area (that I know of). Likely, swamp milkweed is out there too, but I don't know that I've ever found any. (In Part 1 of the series, I misidentify Dogbane as swamp milkweed, but was corrected on such and added an annotation. I'm admittedly not much of a botanist. Common milkweed is EASILY the one plant I know the most about of my limited plant knowledge.)

[@kickassmomkf4783]

Mine have been in the flower pot for about two weeks or so, it takes a while for them to germinate huh? I keep them hydrated daily

[@MrLundScience]

I believe it took me about two or three weeks before I saw them sprout, so yes, it can take some time. Warmer temperatures will speed it up, though.

[@timeenuf4200]

Did I miss the mention of what type of soil to use? We're in Southern California.

[@gisellegascacampos286]

Hello!! I am your friend from the South remember me? My name is Giselle. I am from Mexico (I will soon visit a monarch sanctuary how cool is that?!) Anyways, my question is the fact that I have over 300+ common milkweed seeds. I have not yet started anything. I also did not "freeze" them. I have 3 methods I'd like to ask your opinion, to try and grow them. #1) plant some seeds right in the ground and wish for the best results! #2) I have a jiffy type of tray 🎨 that has 72 "tablets" I want to try that. And...#3) ofcourse your method shown in this video with the moist paper towel and do what you did here in the video. I live in Wisconsin, I am lucky that you know the type of weather we have it is similar to your area right? 😉 With all this being said, what method may be more successful (if any) what do you recommend? Muchas Gracias! Todo sea por salvar y ayudar a estas bellas especies de mariposa 🦋 monarca!

[@MrLundScience]

Hola Giselle! Si, yo te recuerdo. With your seeds, if you have 300+, I'd say, try it all! However, to get into specifics, I'd say option 3 is your most work, and it would be difficult to do option 3 with all of your seeds. I think you should try it out with a good number of them. Perhaps 50? If it's your first time doing that, it helps to have done it and learn from it. You'll get some experience with it and know in the future what amount of work is involved, so that in future years you can decide if you want to do more of it, and if so, how much more. After that, I'd say with remaining seeds, if you have bought the trays, you might as well use them, and try to put your seeds in there. With these two options, options 2 and 3, you can see how successful your seeds were, and you also get to find if there is any "duds" that don't sprout. Certainly, option 1 isn't out of the question either. Nature has been doing it for millions of years, and with success! However, if you have extra seeds, you can save them for future years, or pass them on to a friend who gets interested (especially after they see your success). I hope that helps! Buena suerte!

[@gisellegascacampos286]

MrLundScience muchas gracias!! Me alegra saber que puedo contar con usted para obtener buenas sugerencias y opiniones! Gracias por toda tu ayuda! You have no idea how immensely appreciative I am for your quick reply! Blessings! Gigi

[@MrLundScience]

No problem. If you have further questions, I'll be here.

[@danapenaherrera4739]

I am creating a 15 x 30 ft garden for monarchs I have been growing southern milkweed in this area and it does well -being in No IL I have to bring that in for winter -but here is my ? cant we just throw some seeds into the soil in fall- Isnt this how its done in nature? Next question- I want to transfer some small common milkweed from a huge patch I found by a walking trail - not the big ones just a couple of small ones - right now its mid Sept should I wait till Oct or should I get it now so I can spoil it to help prevent shock

[@MrLundScience]

Answer #1: Yes, you certainly can. In Planting Milkweed Part 1, I mention this around 6:44: kzbin.info/www/bejne/mZDHYnmDf85_pZo Some have also told me that the seeds need to be cold stratified, while I've used some that have never been cold stratified with results that worked out fine. I plan to run a more thorough test of this over the winter, sowing in the spring. Answer #2: Most honest answer is, I don't know. I'm actually not much of a gardener. I'm big into insects (and getting more and more into it as I go) but with plants, I don't think I've got much skill! I've tried to transfer only one Common Milkweed plant in my life, and I chose a relatively smaller one, and it died pretty soon after my disturbance of it. I'm pretty sure (let's say, 85% confidence) it had to do with my lack of knowledge of the root system at the time. I didn't realize how spread out the roots are, and I likely didn't take enough of the root system with it when I transported it. It dried out pretty quickly. SO....I don't know if I'm the guy to trust with advice in this arena. Rather than anything close to an authoritative answer, I'll still offer you my wild speculation, but understand, that's exactly what it is, wild speculation: My guess would be, it's better to transfer an already established wild plant around this time of the year when it's had a full summer to build up nutrients. In the spring, when they come back from the winter dead, they are performing a growth spurt, trying to establish their spot in the sun as soon as can be. I wouldn't think they'd do as well if that was interrupted. Instead, here in the fall, resources aren't so much used for a growth spurt, but for seed development and other things I'm sure I'm ignorant about. But again, I'd consult someone with more knowledge than I about Milkweed and plants in general on that one. Good luck!

[@TheUtuado]

Just started a butterfly garden. Bought 4 milkweed plants at the nursery. Will I be able to collect seeds from them. Thank you. PS Great videos!

[@MrLundScience]

+TheUtuado It's a great feeling to get started! Good luck!

[@semisorry17]

Have you tried this method with any other types of milkweed besides common milkweed? I have some Poke milkweed and Sullivant's milkweed seeds and am wondering if this same method would work.

[@MrLundScience]

I have never grown any other type of milkweed other than Common Milkweed. However, I have used this method to germinate other completely different types of plant seeds. I can only imagine that this would still work for other milkweed species.

[@Raaaqqqiii]

Hi! I have done this germination process for common milkweed and it has been 30 days and none of the seeds have sprouted at all. Any suggestions?

[@MrLundScience]

First thing to ask you, where did you get the seeds? Were they purchased? Were they collected? If collected, were they collected in the fall before winter, or were they found after winter? Some have said that Milkweed seeds in ranges where there is freezing temps in the winter need to have a "freeze/thaw" period to make them more successful. I don't disagree with that, but I don't agree either, as I've had success with seeds that I know for sure were never frozen. But, there may be truth to what they say, and perhaps that's what you're experiencing. I wouldn't give up on them. Plants can be both stubborn and surprising.

[@vickiesorenson2383]

Are you stratifying them?

[@candace58]

Do you not have to cold stratify?

[@horsepowerdude]

Hi everyone. I live in California and I am about to experience 100 degree heat. I have young seedlings outside in by backyard, uncovered, about three inches high. I keep the soil most but I wondering if I should bring them inside to protect them from the extreme temperatures. What do you advise?

[@palliaskamen5722]

Leave a few in the heat and see how they do.

[@vickisgardenadventures14]

I desperately need some milkweed seeds, our milkweed leaves are much smaller here so they need more plants can you help?? do you have extra seeds of your bigger variety to share? you and your wife are awesome thanks for all you do.....Vicki's garden adventures...I am on you tube thank you...

[@MrLundScience]

My seeds aren't ready, and I use them for primarily helping students start milkweed patches in their yards. However, Live Monarch has a program of sending out free seeds which are suited for your location. Check out their site on this here: www.livemonarch.com/free-milkweed-seeds/

[@yes350yes]

I just started some milkweed seed indoors about 10 days ago and already have green leaves standing. My method was to use a second wet towel as a covering . I will soon be putting in peat pots and will plant in ground in these pots at a future time. Ive actually ordered a larger size peat pot 3" and will go from there.

[@yes350yes]

Because I have very limited space next season will dig the swamp milkweed and place in pots.

[@vistaprime]

you said to keep themsome place warm. Where did you keep them and how warm is warm?

[@MrLundScience]

I suppose it could have been better stated to not keep them someplace cool. Room temperature (Roughly 70 F or 20 C) or above works well. I have a box turtle, and the set up in her enclosure had room for my container with seeds in it to be somewhat under the heat lamp. There, it is a temperature of around 85 F.

[@libbyfamily3947]

Hi I'm wondering during the soaking should I water the seeds

[@MrLundScience]

+Libby Family As long as I keep the lid on, I haven't needed to add much water at all. What's important is that they don't dry out. So, keep them moist, but only add water if it's getting dry in there. Good luck!

[@Gtumrths]

I have about 10 Milkweed ( not common Milkweed) plants and 30 Monarch caterpillars. I am afraid that I do not have enough food for them when they grow bigger. Where can I get more plants now with or without roots?

[@trumplostlol3007]

So, they don't need stratification as some people claim.

[@MrLundScience]

Nah. I was growing milkweed from germinated seeds for a good five years before I even heard someone say this needed to be done. Nope. Need is a strong word.

[@fathim5004]

Some fungus grows on them whilr soking in tissue..hw to avoid it sir?!

[@francesluse1162]

I was able to get antelope horn milkweed seeds to grow. They haven't bloomed yet. How old do they need to be? I have some swamp milkweed that hasn't bloomed either.

[@MrLundScience]

You might have to research the individual species, as I only have experience with Common Milkweed. However, if they are similar, Common Milkweed won't flower until usually the third year (though there are exceptions).

[@francesluse1162]

MrLundScience thanks. I have determined that I may have one common milkweed that I grew from seed. The rest are curavassica. I have very you antelope horn and swamp milkweed. Only curavassicas have bloomed

[@neverlostforwords]

My swan milkweed plants, sprouted from seed last December, are not even as tall as the ones in your video. It is the start of winter here (Melbourne, Australia). What can I do to speed up their growth?

[@MrLundScience]

Other than sunlight, fertilizer, and water, I don't know of ways to accelerate growth. It should be known, though, most milkweed do not look like "adult" plants until two years in. The first year, they often do look small. It takes some time for the root system to "flesh out" and then the plant starts looking more "adult" and will begin to produce flowers. They don't typically flower the first year, nor produce seeds.

[@neverlostforwords]

Thank you for this useful info. I wish they had told me about the slow growth on the seed packet. :) I am not a very patient gardener but I suppose I will leave them in pots for the coming season, tucked away somewhere in the garden, and see if they attract any interest even while small.

[@MrLundScience]

Yes. It takes about a year. But, it pays off in the future.

[@neverlostforwords]

@@MrLundScience Ok it's early autumn, they are in the garden with other shrubs and perennials, and are six feet tall and with a lot of buds on them. They also have those horrible yellow aphids which I keep hosing off. However I think the butterfly season is over and there are no eggs or signs of Monarchs. Is it too late for Monarchs to visit and lay eggs? There are still cabbage moth butterflies aroundbut the native Dainty Swallowtails and Painted Ladies have come and gone. Grapevine moths were around a few days ago. I don't really like the look of swan milkweed in the middle of the front garden border. Perhaps I should ahve planted them somewhere else. I am tiring also of hosing off the aphids every day and getting covered with water and those yellow aphids. Suggestions?

[@timothysmit3029]

You might want to look up to those stripes in the sky ...

[@MrLundScience]

Um...yes? Are you talking about the American flag? If so, I look at it daily! If not...then I'm not sure what's being brought up here... Sorry.

[@timothysmit3029]

Pilots, doctors and scientists tell truth about ... go watch it on YT

[@MrLundScience]

Would you care to provide some context? You know that this is a video about germinating milkweed seeds, right? What do you think this is a video about?

[@timothysmit3029]

In one of your vids you're explaining a decrease in butterfly population if I remember correctly. The yt title i sent you explains why.. ;)

[@MrLundScience]

You didn't send a KZbin title.

[@laceythetrafficcone3630]

for the potting cups or whatever you call them, can you use egg cartons? :D

[@MrLundScience]

I see no reason why you couldn't. Save some money at the same time, right?

[@karnaag]

Poke a hole in the bottom for drainage. If you accidentally over water and there is no where for the excess to go you could drown your plants roots.

[@jayfoulk2453]

I found a place nearby that sells free range eggs in the paper cartons. I have saved about 10 and think they will make excellent potting cups.

[@battlestargalactica3593]

Shoulda planted those in dirt way earlier. When the main root is 1 inch long.

[@MrLundScience]

Perhaps. Can you explain why, as they did just fine.

[@madisonh5036]

Did you not have to stratify your seeds?