tips on sowing butterfly seeds... and random other questions.

17 years ago

Hey there folks, its my first time posting to the butterfly forum. I recently purchased a whole bunch of butterfly seeds and Im not sure the best route to go about sowing them. I hope Im not too late for zone 10. I live in an apartment type setting and everything is going to go into several containers. Is it ok to get my soil together in the pots and them put the seeds in and cover with a little bit of peat and water? I was thinking about keeping them inside because many of the seed packages give germination lenghts for temps at around 'room temp' OR would it be better to put them outside, I live in zone 10 and were already consistenly in the low to mid 80's everyday. OR - Instead of going right into the containers would it be better to use like egg cartons and do smaller germinations and then transplant?

I'm thinking that some of these (ie. cupea ignea and plumbago) will do better in their own pots if Im correct?

I'm thinking about using a 1/3 spag. peat, 1/3 top soil, 1/3 perlite mix, but covering the seeds w/ peat. Any thoughts on this?

I know that this is a lot of information to be asking, but I would appreciate any help, information, tips, container plan suggestions with my variety, that you all can leave. THANKS SO MUCH

Asclepias curassavica

Asclepias X tuberosa 'Gay Butterflies Mix'

Alcea rosea 'Summer Carnival Mixed'

Rudbeckia fulgida var. sullivanti 'Goldsturm'

Aquilegia caerulea 'Biedermeier Mixture'

Delphinium 'Magic Fountain Mix'

Echinacea purpurea 'Bright Star Improved'

Penstemon barbatus 'Navigator Mix'

Aster alpinus 'Beauty Mix'

Buddleia davidii 'Butterfly Hybrids Mixed' Verbena x hybrida 'Novalis Mix'

Cuphea ignea

Eupatorium coelestinum

Lantana 'Camara Hybrids'

Delphinium chinensis 'Butterfly Mix'

Eupatorium fistulosum 'Gateway Seeds'

Plumbago capensis

Penstemon eatonii

Agapanthus umbellatus

Agastache urticifolia

I also have some passion flower seeds that I am attempting to grow as a host plant. I understand that these are very fussy, right now i have them soaking in orange juice... any special tips to facilitate a quicker process?

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Comments (4)

todancewithwolves
17 years ago
I would throw some pumice in the mix as well. Helps with draining.

The plants you are intending to grow will need at least 6 hours of sun. Buddleia grows well over 9-10' and the roots spread. You'll need a BIG pot when it matures.

I would sow outside that way they have a chance to acclimate and you'll have a much healthier plant.
butterflyman
17 years ago
Just buy a bag of good potting soil - that's a lot easier than trying to make your own. I like to add a bit of sand. You may also have to cover the pots with plastic so they don't dry out so quickly if you start them outside.

Buddleia from seeds is very hard - get a cutting from a friend - it's much easier.

Here is a link that might be useful: Starting Seeds Information
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napapen
17 years ago
I put damp newspaper over my milkweed seeds when I start them. Keeps the soil moister. Some need to be chilled first.

Penny
rhizo_1 (North AL) zone 7
17 years ago
I'd strongly suggest that you leave the top soil out. The greatest top soil on earth turns into something quite different when used in a container. Real soil needs to be insitu for the 'system' in the term 'soil system' to work. I, too, would use a decent peat based potting mix, perhaps adding plenty of extra perlite to it.

Bagged potting mixes are (typically) peat-based, so no reason to add extra, imo.

You are getting a bit of a late start in your location. Some of the plants on your list are not known for their heat tolerance. But it's always worth experimenting.

I always germinate my seeds in rows, in germination flats. The seeds are sown closely and I can get a couple of hundred in each flat. I'll use bottom heat until they germinate, then allow them to develop their second set of leaves 'au natural'. I'll then transplant the babies into their individual containers, usually decent sized plastic cell packs (1204s) or 2 inch square pots.

All of the stuff can be sterilized from year to year and stacked for storage.

Here is a link that might be useful: {{gwi:461203}}