A. syriaca & Roundup

[Paul Cherubini]

Dr. Rev Chuck, MD, PA wrote:
> 
> Need to know how to grow asclepias syriaca from seeds collected last
> fall and stored in an unheated shed.  Is a coldframe useful for
> germination or hardening?

If you live in one of the northern states and the ground isn't frozen, but
is moist, you could sow the seeds now. I rake the surface soil to loosen it, then scatter
the seeds rather thickly, then add just enough soil to cover them. I
also tap the soil surface to make sure the seeds are rather firmly embedded.

The reason I scatter the seeds thickly is because the biggest problem one has in
getting the seedlings growing is competition from other weeds. Milkweed (A. syriaca) 
seedlings grow very slowly in mid-late spring and can be easily smothered
by faster growing weeds. By sowing the milkweed seed thickly, the
milkweed itself can help crowd out competing weeds.

Personally, I use Roundup to help combat competing weeds when trying to establish
a milkweed stand on bare ground. I don't sow any milkweed seeds until after the 
competing weeds have already sprouted. Then I treat them with Roundup. In about 10 
days the competing weeds are history. I then rake the soil and sow the milkweed
seed. 

Since Roundup isn't exactly a ecosystem sterilant, I will still have to
do some manual weeding after the milkweed seed sprouts because another
batch of competing weeds will usually come up too.  

Paul Cherubini