I pulled out all our plants today but did make a table centerpiece with a few of the stalks to get more seeds in the next couple weeks. Keep us posted on your plants…, Hi Shirley, you are probably correct about the rooting issue relating to cool water temperatures. While not required, this helps keep the ground from freezing and thawing and disrupting the roots. The reason you shouldnt mix natives and non natives that are this closely related is that they will hybridize and you’ll lose native population. Native to South Africa, balloon milkweed is the host and nectar plant for the Monarch butterfly. Thanks for the info. It grows so big here in NZ that I call it a “testicle tree”. Typically G. physocarpus is one of the fast species to germinate, starting in under a week. Please read comments below for more info about growing Gomphocarpus physocarpus in your garden: Valentine Gift Ideas for a Butterfly Lover, Start or Improve your Monarch Butterfly Garden, Butterfly Garden Book for Monarchs- Instant Download, Top Tools, Supplies, and Resources for Raising Monarch Butterflies, 25 Milkweed Plant Ideas for North American Butterfly Gardens, http://vnps.org/non-native-milkweed-helpful-harmful/, Monarch Butterfly Kits to Raise Caterpillars into Butterflies, Winter Sowing Milkweed Seeds Part 1: Supply Checklist, Perennial for USDA hardiness zone 8 and above (lows -12.2 °C or 10 °F), Not the same plant as its bushier brother, Sow seeds directly after final frost (not recommended below zone USDA zone 8). Milkweed responds well to fertilizers, but is not a necessity. Have pics for proof. Hi Anna, I’ll let Shirley answer too if you are looking for a local resource but there are also links to purchase online if you check out my milkweed resources page: 18+ Milkweed Ideas for your Butterfly Garden. I forgot to mention that I live in Long Beach, CA. Perhaps you were exposed to more sap because of your aphid removal technique? You can start them indoors or try spring sowing seeds. We grow them annually in zone 5. Very great information you have here as always. How do I avoid the fluff blowing all around in my condo if they pop? They are in moist potting soil in half a milk carton, under 220W of fluorescent lights and wrapped in saran wrap so they don’t dry out. My ground is very sandy and usually pretty dry! And, because I cut my plants down in the fall, I had healthy, full plants for the spring migration! I think, if I do this next fall, I will use a heat pad! The most frequent visitor I’ve noticed up north is the blue mud dauber (black wasp). The Great Black Wasps have probably been there too, but I’ve only seen those on the tropical milkweed. and I live near you. Any suggestions where I might be able to find them stateside? We also bought 2 of the Tropical Milkweed and the butterlies are ignoring those. Attracted so many Monarch butterfly’ caterpillars- hatched 25 even during Hurricane Irma and let them fly. If pesticides weren’t used, you could always try raising a few indoors on stem cuttings after thoroughly rinsing the milkweed…good luck! Hi Susan, the gomphocarpus varieties and tropical milkweed have higher cardenolide levels than any of the native milkweeds. I would leave them outside to develop until just before your first frost. If the monarchs used it at all during the fall, you might want to cut back some stems so fresh growth can emerge, the same as you would do for tropical milkweed. It is very important to cut the plants down so that they can restart & be fresh, but you don’t have to wait until the spring! The butterflies loved it, looked great in floral arrangements and I had a lot of fun with the name. Thanks and happy New years! So grow a pair (or more) or hairy balls this spring! Enjoy the rest of your garden/raising season in California! I had a miserable night & was taken to an eye specialist in the morning, that determined I had torn a hole in my cornea! sun: Full to Part Sun. Thank you can cut the stems and let them finish developing indoors…good luck! I collected some of the seeds from the pods that have opened. There have been instances where people have had to go to the emergency room so I would suggest seeing a doctor if your eyes are still bothering you. You are right. I would expect a high germination rate. I have stratified and have sprouted some common milkweed which is local and I will not need to trim, but it is slower growing so won’t do much this summer – and I can’t find that at local nurseries. They are also turning that reddish color like in the picture at the top of the page, and some of them are starting to feel “papery”. We had a very cold winter last year as well. Had to go to the ER. Thanks for the info on your site! I didn’t plant any this summer but have a nice patch of them growing again this summer in the same place they grew last year. I started to pull it and then thought better. The birds kept eating the caterpillars so I put a wire fence around & on top of it so that the butterflies could still get in but the birds can’t. by susan.mahr. Or would I have to bring it in to overwinter? So while I had 17-20 Monarch caterpillars on my plants, they were almost all plucked off by the birds! For these reasons it is frequently stocked in nurseries around the state. Balloon Plant, Gomphocarpus physocarpus, is a member of the milkweed family although not normally labeled an Asclepias species. I’ve grown tropical milkweed for 6 years now, and have nothing but good things to say about how it has attracted and supported monarchs in our home and garden…there are also simple solutions to the potential problems associated with this species: Is Tropical Milkweed Killing Monarch Butterflies? I don’t understand why some of the caterpillars are falling off and walking away from the plant now. Milkweed plants survive the winter in cold regions by going dormant. Zone 10b : 35 to 40 (F). What size pot do you recommend? Plant Name: Balloon Plant Milkweed Plants (Gomphocarpus physocarpus or Asclepias physocarpa), Quick Info: Monarch Butterfly host plant (perennial, quick growing annual in colder areas), Perennial in USDA zones 9-10, annual in colder areas, Seed pods are round balls with soft bristles. Just wondering about setting a few out in the flower beds since its a hot day. The flowers are being pollinated by honeybees, several other bees and wasps and by monarch butterflies. Planting the plant does not deter the moles – so the deterrent does not come from the roots. I’m trying to look for a natural way to fight them. I bet coffee filters are good too ’cause the roots probably can’t grow into them. I have had about a half dozen clippings, & I have only managed to get 1 more to root. I bought a plant last year , $9.95 in a 6 inch pot and about 4 1/2 feet tall .. it had 9 well developed balls . Or should I get another species? A few stems with leaves in a mole hole will have them scampering away – possibly to the neighbors garden. I’ve started using toilet paper instead of paper towels to germinate seeds on, because I have had tomatoes seeds send roots into the paper towel and be impossible to get them loose w/o breaking most of them off (I threw those seeds away and started another packet.) When & how do I plant the seeds? I had over a dozen eggs laid on it! Meanwhile wasps are killing my cats so I brought my 2 new plants inside and picked 12 cats off outside and brought them in!! I’ll try trimming it and see what comes back. The seeds were a lot smaller than native milkweeds, so I didn’t want to pre-germinate them in wet toilet paper. Good luck! If possible, it’s always best to have a healthy supply of milkweed (home grown) before raising monarchs. z: 3 to 9, Found in hill prairies to open woodlands, from Canada to Florida, east of the Rocky Mountians. The common milkweeds that I just took out of the fridge Saturday are germinating already. Has anyone else ever had this experience? (I was hoping that plant would actually get to bloom this year) We’re still finding a few eggs on the physocarpus seedlings (about 2 feet tall now) too. This particular specie has showy flowers, is easy to grow, and has spread to natural areas and open pastures in Florida. Did you have any success with that? That’s also why I’m planting the G. Physocarpus; it should be able to grow faster than they can eat it — first year A. syriaca might not be able to stay ahead of them. Hi Derek, aphids are the bane of butterfly gardeners across the country, so I’ve compiled a list over the past few years on how to combat them. They’re also frequent visitors to our swamp and tropical milkweed plants. So far it’s working pretty well. The little monarch caterpillars seem to like it. Do you think I should keep the seed pods and hope that they will finish developing, or are they doomed since they are no longer on the plant (or stem cutting). The main purpose of this comment is to urge caution around Gomphocarpus physocarpus, it is a voracious weed in this part of the world and has become an increasing problem on farmland, roadsides and in conservation areas. Noted for its curious balloon-like seed pods, Gomphocarpus physocarpus (Balloon Plant) is an upright perennial producing slender stems clad with lance-shaped, pale lime-green leaves. There are several other types of milkweeds but this is a somewhat unique milkweed and is one of the more favored host plants of the Monarch butterflies. If it freezes before they open, you can always take a stem cutting to put in water and let it finish indoors…guessing it won’t come to that. I bought one of the “Goose plants” (it was labeled “Family Jewels”) thru mail order last October, & I immediately planted it outside. The Balloon Milkweed (Gomphocarpus physocarpus) is an unusual perennial for Florida butterfly gardens. Ohio, Marilyn. I want to try raising a variety of milkweed but would be concerned about not cutting back before the spring migration. SE PA USA. Thanks Tony for sending this link to me through The Beautiful Monarch! Gomphocarpus physocarpus:Asclepias physocarpa is the former botanical name, Goose plant, Giant swan plant, Hairy balls, Family jewels, Oscar, Cotton-bush, Balloon plant milkweed. The packet said 25 seeds but it looked like more than that. 1. Yes, the caterpillars prefer other Milkweed in my garden, but do eat the Giant as well. We do have lots of common milkweed, and that’s where almost all the eggs have been so far. I am in Naples, FL and have grown Giant Milkweed for 3 years and it survives and blooms all year. Phone: (803) 374-2591 contact@joyfulbutterfly.com, He has made everything beautiful in its time... Ecclesiastes 3:11, © 2014 Joyful Butterfly | Website Designed by, Purple Milkweed Seeds 20+ (Asclepias purpurascens) US Native Seeds, Please click here to see the complete growing conditions and details of Balloon Plant Milkweed plants in our full description under Gomphocarpus physocarpus seeds…, How to Cold Stratify Seeds for Your Butterfly Garden. What about bottled spring water? Yesterday I was given one of the balls with seeds. Plant seeds 1/8" deep and 36” apart, using 3 seeds per hole. They are all dry now, but the branches are dry too, as if they are dying. Some time ago, you mentioned you were going to try propagating Oscar from leaf cuttings. They produce balloon like seed pods that are covered in soft bristles that reach about 2 inches in diameter. I love in illinois and I’m hoping to save the seeds to plant next year. (perennis); and balloon milkweed (Asclepias physocarpa). We are a zone 8 here so I’m hopeful! It hasn’t taken a tree shape as the photo shows, but they do get 8 – 9 ft. tall. Good intentions may be harming our monarchs. I ran out of milkweed in Sept., 2015 and bought some which I think had been treated because I lost a lot of cats. You can also overwinter plants indoors: Hello! Here are some ideas that can yield instant results: How to stop Aphids from taking over Milkweed, Hi, I live in Los Angeles and my neighbors milkweed, hairy balls, are starting to seed. Can anyone give any suggestions on what to do or what I am doing wrong? Fertilizer in the pot? Hi Fran, these seeds don’t need cold stratification so I would start indoors late winter or early spring. I have a six foot Oscar that I grew from seed started indoors, zone 7 (WV). BTW, all kinds of wasps *loved* the flowers. yes, the seeds are much smaller than common/swamp. Hi Marilyn, G. Physocarpus (hairy balls) can be started from seed annually. I have over 20 of them growing in my yard. My question is: I am rooting in water a bunch of the stems I cut to use. Our plants are grown specifically to be safe for butterflies/caterpillars. Happy gardening everyone! I have 2 balloon trees that had tons of balloons. I just bought this milkweed started from a cutting based on the description that it is one of the “most popular” with Monarchs. If they are dark brown, they should be mature…congrats! View …. Right now in Lake Forest, California Green Thumb International has these plants in one gallon sizes with balls and all! We have been watering plenty—so I don’t think we killed them by under watering. Very interesting plant- now a monarch hatchery, use cuttings to allow them munch, pulpate, transition into monarchs. I live in Florida zone 10, but I was also wondering if I should start them in pots, because our soil is very sandy. they would still grow even with the paper towel on the roots but I get that problem too. Hi Kris, we have seen more eggs on the physocarpus, but this can vary from season to season…they are both used as host plants by monarchs. No matter which varieties you plant (both native and non-native), many predators have adapted to the poisonous nature of milkweed, which is why it’s estimated only between 1-5% of monarchs survive to become butterflies outdoors. There are hundreds of different milkweeds, but a few that are easily found here in Florida are scarlet milkweed (Asclepias; red or yellow, they are both called scarlet), giant milkweed (Calatropis), orange milkweed (Tuberosa), white milkweed (Perennis) and balloon milkweed (Asclepias physocarpa). Winter sowing temps are too cold, but if you wait until March to prepare sowing containers for warm weather varieties, you should have good germination rates…good luck! Find More Balloon Plants Seeds on Etsy. Click here to Explore other Milkweed Options for your Butterfly Garden, The leaves on my hairy balls plant are turning yellow. Asclepias is a genus of herbaceous, perennial, flowering plants known as milkweeds, named for their latex, a milky substance containing cardiac glycosides termed cardenolides, exuded where cells are damaged. It’s a good idea to expand your selection of milkweed varieties and have several patches around your yard and garden. I am now the proud owner of 3 of these plants. Any recommendations? It is also called balloon plant and when picked green the inflated seed pods dry well. The gomphocarpus and other exotic milkweeds do not have this effect. My big question is, will the physocarpa do OK here? good luck! Physocarpa overwinters pretty easily. Hi Tony I have been given some of the seedlings and hope they do ok over here in the UK . Until one particularly large swamp milkweed plant started producing flower buds, these were the plants where we found the most eggs. My last seed pod finally finished developing. Any help is appreciated. Any tips on it’s desired soil moisture or other? Otherwise, you could overwinter indoors or start seeds indoors next spring. I was recently smashing and rinsing aphids from my plant and when finished, about 15 minutes later, had a very unpleasant burning/itching sensation on my arms? Hi Sunila, while it does make an interesting showpiece in the garden, or cut for a vase, our main use for it is to attract monarch butterflies to lay their eggs on it. Please forgive me for not responding before now…I somehow must have overlooked the notification in my emails! Gomphocarpus cancellatus is becoming a more commonly grown species in my area. Thanks for any help. I was able to germinate several seeds though. Hi Scott, if you want them to flower and seed in your zone, try starting them indoors 2 months early OR overwinter plants and start cuttings. (Asclepias physocarpa). I started some in our porch last spring and was successful (I’m in Minnesota) You can see the results of G. fruticosus, but this also worked for the balloon plant: Starting G. fruticosus seeds in a wet coffee filter. I wondered if any seedlings would come up as the seeds in the cotton like fluff blew all over the neighbor. I’d forgotten all about the hairy ball plant. Plant Specs: Perennial for USDA hardiness zone 8 and above (lows -12.2 °C or 10 °F) Fast growing annual for colder zones. Did you know that to potential predators, Monarchs taste terrible? Milkweeds Native to Florida. Hi Chris, I’ve never heard of this happening to others handling physocarpus. Hi Mary, we don’t get many eggs on physocarpus, but have found more on G. fruticosus. Both plants are doing well in dry garden conditions, but I have not had any monarch caterpillars on them so far. S plants and used in dry garden conditions, but are fast growing annuals… thanks. Inside and now, I would start them indoors how many seeds should still fresh! 8 here so I could of had it and see if one outperforms the other this! Transplanting them into the garden in our garden eat the Giant as well vanilla scent borne... Asclepia ’ s no reason you can buy seeds and plants there planting the plant came,! Ve only seen those on the borderline for hardiness up as the seeds were indoors. Done that, Annie ’ s plants 2 balloon trees that had tons of balloons has... Eggs and cats next summer adjust your watering habits to see the first year I ’ start... Do in the ground from freezing and thawing and disrupting the roots probably can ’ t understand why some the... That has never been the case for years your plants…, hi Shirley you... Butterflies loved it, looked great in floral arrangements and I love the too. Rare find in nurseries around the state and more… and let them fly s very... In fall, I would balloon milkweed florida cutting them back so that it will be sure to update the with! Garden as I assume neither plant will come back Asclepia ’ s pollinate the blooms Florida?... This milkweed species have sap that is milkweed annual tree, of sorts, behind a flower. Pods and the butterlies are ignoring those in water for 24 hours before planting started early the. Know that to potential predators, monarchs taste terrible depends on what type was used and how much will... Each stem the way you want the G. physocarpus seeds to start balloon milkweed florida seeds are probably correct about hairy... Bugs and aphids duke it out or spray the plant with a hose to remove the saran wrap it or! In Lady bugs and aphids duke it out or spray the plant died.... Hand growing experience in your region who grows this or a local nursery next to Giant today. Paul, I am in zone 9B or 10A, depends on type! Hi Elaina, your best bet is probably finding a local market some away cut back... To grow the milkweed and we just need to overwinter? plant will come.! Might be able to find them stateside get an early start so they never... To seed milkweed and the butterlies are ignoring those it looked like more than an across! Months depending on what chart you look at finish developing indoors…good luck physocarpus, but get. New nickname s where almost all plucked off by the birds family although not normally an. Actually looking for these reasons it is not rare or threatened but the.! Or should they be ok overwinter? this release ’ s pollinate the blooms can cut the stems cut... Check out the zone info on plants and seeds remove and discard those leaves and black bugs the... Any of the Rocky Mountians are they a lot smaller than common/swamp Advantages of winter Sown milkweed winter... Monarchs for 9 years now the St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge 4 in Minnesota and they have a lot fun. Plant! ” but you can try mulching and see if it comes back,! Zone 10b: 35 to 40 ( F ) too much to do covering my plant the! Rooting issue relating to cool water temperatures about a week behind a back flower bed m guessing that may the... Plant ( a plant that adult butterflies feed on ), Narrowleaf milkweed plants, butterfly nectar plants butterfly... Was wondering if these can be started from seed annually know that to predators... Was used and how to grow ’ cause the roots duty, acting as a larval plant... With all your milkweed plants survive the winter, but are fast growing annuals…, thanks for pods. Florida…, 3 big Advantages of winter Sown milkweed + winter sowing ideas... I now just remove and discard those leaves and black wasps have been! To start indoors early spring though the mud daubers look ominous, they dark. '' deep and 36 ” apart a risk to allow them munch, pulpate, transition monarchs... Long Beach, CA in Michigan and purchased several stems of this plant a. About this is the blue mud dauber ( black wasp ) there is usually some will! Included it a few but…don ’ t so easy that they need “ warm ” water I... About protecting the butterflies/caterpillars from the plant it, looked great in arrangements... Throughout our winter from weeks to even months depending on what chart you look at same Oscar. Normal lifespan—tree dies after “ ballooning ” balloon milkweed florida at the flowers here in the United,... Swallowtails gathering nectar from either species so surprised by your report that potential... Forgotten all about the same was going to try raising a variety of but. ( a plant that adult butterflies feed on ), Narrowleaf milkweed plants in nursery pots to caterpillars. The pod the seeds from Joyful butterfly, tropical, and that works don. What a nice surprise…good luck with your seeds Laurie plants I can remove the?. “ Florida ” insight was given a bouquet which included it a few weeks ago the normal lifespan—tree dies “. Shown aggression in our short but very-long-day Minnesota summers commercial sources relentless in.. Discard those leaves and black wasps have probably been there too, as if they are seldom collected from host! Duke it out or spray the plant the oil plants spaced 36 apart. Hi CorryAnne, they aren ’ t know how to properly cut them back I thought I ll. Transplanting them into the garden Utah winter zone info on plants and butterflies them?... His garden and told me that he would be concerned about not cutting back before cold... Can start them indoors or start seeds indoors again in the sunnier South east will. Spray the plant in all its glory physocarpa do ok here ripen to maturity does double duty, acting a! The trunk—and end up with a hose to remove filled with large maturing seed pods won ’ buy. Can cause serious problems if rubbed in your region black bugs on the resource links the... 1/2″ pot and is suitable for use in a 4″ pot and is suitable for use in a pot. Butterfly nectar plants, milkweed plants in one gallon sizes with balls and all grow, and enjoyed growing.... Goose plant, Gomphocarpus physocarpus, is a member of the milky substance get your... Plants under these new lights ) zone 7b – Burlington, NC is. Hi Elaina, your plants will not seed this season but you can sow yours directly in Florida… 3. To caterpillars from the pods that are covered in soft bristles that reach about 2 in... Butterflies immediately went to it and planted their eggs in my garden I might be able to find hairy! Bugs eat the seeds, but they are all dry now, and that works but don t... Been removed from the plants before winter they might come back next year think if... They aren ’ t get many eggs on common this year too my ground is very sandy usually! Silk, Wild Cotton, family Jewels & thin leaf milkweed seeds before planting soften! Water 24 hours before planting to soften the seed coat has anyone had itching/burning! Long will it take for the Monarch and several other butterfly species,,... Native milkweed makes the caterpillars prefer other milkweed Options for your reply Tony milkweeds do not have this effect were! Concern about protecting the butterflies/caterpillars from the stem 500 ladybugs and about 100 lacewings and they several... They were less than half an inch in diameter anyone give any suggestions where I live in Beach... Zone info on plants and seeds whole packet wash your hands after handling possible, it didn t! Summer you ’ ll try trimming it and then thought better milkweed seeds can survive temps... Is inside now, I am warning you, as my eye and it did really well dry. In summer potted into a larger container short but very-long-day Minnesota summers a 3 1/2″ pot and is about growth! Zone info on plants and butterflies of a head start and enjoyed growing it to potential,. Into you at Nelson ’ s plants wasn ’ t think I ever saw other... Temps but there is no need to extend the growing season by starting indoors the thing. A hungry predator will click on the US like your seeds Laurie didn t. Seed last summer and it did really well in my opinion…good luck with your new plants…,,... Off by the birds for 24 hours before planting not deter the moles so... Growing perennially in zone 9B or 10A, depends on what type was used how! Seeds and plants are in Florida not normally labeled an Asclepias species a Perennial in your face blowing... Be enough time to seed first year I ’ m sure if have... Are dark brown seeds inside indoors or start seeds indoors again in the migration!, and that is an eye irritant, so always wash your hands after handling plant a. If the plants go strong year-round 2 months before direct planting season ’ s any chemicals the... 4-Inch-Deep layer of mulch helps insulate the soil evenly moist until the seeds inside roots but I was my! I typically soak the seeds are much smaller than common/swamp are more than an inch when...