25 Balloon and Swan Milkweed Seeds Mix

Description

Balloon milkweed (aka Hairy Balls) –Gomphocarpus physocarpus and Swan Milkweed – Gomphocarpus fruticosus  are both African natives -annual in cold regions. Both species are indistinguishable from each other except for the shape of the pods.  Delicate creamy white flowers weep from stalks that quickly grow 6-8 feet long, branching slightly. Long narrow leaves. Pods are green and knobby with soft spikes that look like hairs. Balloon are round pods and Swan are more egg-shaped.  Good container plants. Pinching back while young makes a bushier plant. These are a huge Monarch attractants for egg laying.  The tender leaves are perfect for the smaller caterpillars.

Instructions: Slow germinator: 10 – 28 days. Warm water soak for 1 wk. Then, clipping pointy end speeds up root emergence. (Method 3.1 in post) Pour out onto soil. Keep moist & warm until fully germinated. Prefers full sun. A seed heating mat is recommended if starting indoors.  Seeds do not need cold stratified.