Mary, are you growing your texana in pots? I just got some seed started this year, so not so familiar with best way to grow it.

Hi Sandy, yes, since I have to overwinter them, I have them in medium sized flower pots. The lady from whom I purchased the seed told me she usually keeps her younger plants in pots for 2-3 years before she plants them out into her garden. She thought I'd have no trouble maintaining them in pots. She did suggest I protect the potted plants from hot afternoon sun. Right now they get morning sun and afternoon dappled high shade. I'll check the roots after a couple of seasons of growth to see if they require some root trimming or up potting but for now, they seem quite happy. It is such a lovely, small milkweed, I wish I could plant them into the garden but pots will have to do in my area. This milkweed sets pods fairly easily. Not as many as the A perennis but still everyone should get seed once they have plants growing.

Are you growing any of the A perennis milkweed? That, too, is a lovely, easy to grow milkweed and I think it should grow in ground for me in my zone. Everyone who lives in an appropriate grow zone should consider trying this small milkweed. I think I have the plants fairly well protected now (still in pots) so I'm hoping to have some mature seed this season. There are quite a few seed pods on this milkweed right now. These little plants bloom and bloom and many pollinators visit the blooms. The first pods that were close to maturing were eaten by some little monster that is making it's home near my garden.

I'd be happy to share some seed with you if I end up having seed. Just let me know.

Mary

Thanks for your response, Mary. I'd love some perennis seeds. Think I will be digging up my texana, as I put it out in the garden. I have enough that I can keep some in pots. I have planted 16 variegata plants in deep shade around the garden. Hoping this will be happy. It is in chicken wire cages to protect from the gophers. I caught my first gopher this summer. Learning to use traps! He is buried in the middle of a patch of milkweed!

I planted my texensis...I actually think they can be propagated by cuttings, but I haven't tried it yet. I was hoping to overwinter a few cuttings. However, so far, no monarchs have been sited here (I also have incarnata, which got late caterpillars on it last year), so I can't judge how effective it is for attracting female monarchs to lay eggs on.

If it doesn't attract any, I'm not too interested in over wintering it.

Mary, I'm in Ft Smith. So you see any monarchs on your milkweed this time of year?

Hi James, I'm spending part of the summer in Alaska and will be here until the end of this month so don't know what is showing up in the garden. Have you seen Monarchs since you posted this question? You are better situated to see Monarchs during the fall migration so keep your eyes peeled. I hope they find your gardens this fall.

My son is house sitting and watering for me so I hope there will be blooming plants to attract the little jewels in my area. I saw a lot of adults last fall so hoping for a repeat this year. Will post an update once I get home.

Mary

Does anyone know were I can get some asclepias texana seeds??