Propagating Asclepias tubemsa from Seed: The Process

摘要

Midwest Groundcovers is a wholesale nursery specializing in the production of groundcovers, ornamental shrubbery, perennials, and natives. A large portion of our perennial stock is propagated through division and softwood cuttings, but others, which cannot be produced in this method, rely on seeds to propagate. Asclepias tuberosa is one of those unique plants that is difficult to propagate vegetatively from cuttings but has a high percentage when using seed. In the past we used to buy in divisions, but quickly found that we would lose more then 50% of the crop within 2 to 3 weeks of planting. It was soon decided that an alternative method was needed to produce this plant. Seed propagation seemed the most logical step to take so we began by trialingthis technique by directly seeding into 1-gal containers. Immediately we saw great success with 100% of the crop surviving and flourishing. We understand that planting Asclepias in this method doesn't produce a large quantity of blooms until the second season, but with careful production timing, anyone can have a beautiful crop in a limited amount of time.