maryjoz5,

The butterfly weed seeds that I received from you in this trade have germinated! I winter sowed around fifteen seeds and nearly all have come up. Thank you so much for such good quality seed!

I was wondering if you knew what species of butterfly weed they are. If you don't know the variety, please tell me something about them such as what color the flowers are, how tall the plants will get, and whether they prefer sun or shade. A picture would be helpful if you have one.
Thanks again,
Susan

@Browneyedsusan What was your method of winter sowing? Since these have a tap root I've been waffling about how to handle the seedlings I have. Each pot has 3 to 8 seedlings. I don't think its safe to try to separate them but I also don't know if I can plant them in a clump. I keep reading that Butterfly Weed has a clumping habit but I don't really know what that means. So should I clip of some or all of the extras when I plant them out?

I planted the seeds in a solo cup. The medium I used was potting soil mixed with an equal volume of perlite, moistened before planting. I covered the top of the cup with glad wrap and pricked holes in it for aeration. I started the seeds in February (I live in Alabama) and left the pots on my back porch. I did not water until the seeds germinated.
Last year I planted out 2-3 seedlings of A. tuberosa in a clump and they grew fine. I plan to do the same with the A. fasicularis, A. variegata and unknown butterfly weed I received from maryjoz5.
Susan

Unlike some Asclepias species, Butterfly Weed is reasonably tolerant of transplanting, and with a little care you should be able to separate seedlings and up-pot individually.. Common Milkweed is rhizomatic, spreading hither and yon underground. Butterfly Weed is clumping; what you plant is what you get (plant fills out but does not "run"). This species needs good drainage. When seen in the wild it is usually on high ground and banks, so do not plant in wet spots or at bottom of slopes.