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Pods For A Cause (milkweed)

Allegheny Tom

Allegheny Tom

Well-Known Member
SH Member
Joined
Feb 4, 2018
Messages
6,073
Location
Western Pennsylvania
I wasn't sure where to post this so I stuck it here.
Seems like more and more guys are interested in using milkweed but they have trouble obtaining it.
Some generous guys on this forum have been kind enough to ship and share what they pick.
I will do the same but with a slightly different twist.
Im willing to pick and share for the cost of shipping, but I also thought I would like to ask for a donation (amount of your choice) that will go 100% to Special Operations Warrior Foundation that benefits the families of fallen special ops soldiers (Seals, Rangers, etc).
My wife has a small hobby business of making jewelry and she donates 100% of profits to SOWF. She has donated a little over $30,000 as far.
I thought we could help the cause and add some donations via milkweed. No amount is too small.
I just sent 5 leftover pods from last year to a forum member and the shipping was $4. And he added a generous donation. I would like to continue doing this if you guys are up for it.
I also will add one clip to attach the pods to coats or pack.
Let me know what you guys think.
One small issue...our local milkweed here won't be ready to pick until September unless I come across some early stuff...not sure if that happens around here.
PM me and I can start a list.
Thanks in advance.
Tom
Edit...see post #7.....
 
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Great idea, I’m pretty loaded as of now but when I’m ready I’ll donate


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For all those who were gonna get it from me use Tom instead. Always better to give back
 
I’m in and think it’s a good idea. I had some planted at work and someone nuked it with roundup.
 
Wasn't trying to cut you out @Anobody.
I'm happy to go out and harvest some pods and I thought it might be an opportunity for SOWF to benefit from my efforts. Donations are not required...I will still send them and ask only for shipping costs, but if someone wants to kick in an extra few dollars, it'll be a bonus for everyone.
God bless our troops.
 
Just a minor adjustment to my plan...
I will still be donating to SOWF, but instead of just including the money with my wife's donations, I will make a separate donation designated as being from saddlehunter.com
It will give us a little good press, plus I will then have a receipt to show you guys exactly what we've donated. I figured it would be better that way, instead of including it with my wife's donations...I want SOWF to know it came from us and not from jewelry sales.
 
Just keeping you guys in the loop.
I've not yet checked all my milkweed patches but this one is right beside my home. I took this pic today, 7/31. I hope other patches are farther along because this patch is still in the flower stage. Seems late. I picked fully mature pods from these same plants last September.
I will be scouting some other spots in the next week and I hope I find some that are farther along.
So please have patience. I will get pods out to everyone that wants them.
cedbda7a86b0a6c42ac1102ea9fd92fc.jpg


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I know nothing about the plant, but looks like you’ll have a sure nuff crapload when they are ready to pic


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Just an update. Some patches are nearing full maturity, while other patches (the one in my earlier photo) are still in the flower stage.
I picked 2 pods just to see how quickly I can dry them and ship them out. I want them to be at least semi dry before I send them.
bb9ba3e7a64e9979059693f651e89d7e.jpg
39b6f461e2857d08a0cc4b2baeda75a6.jpg
8fb36e4a161f39e309acf56435aab599.jpg
8c91fcfb38e58fab4dbcac5549729fbb.jpg
2de1fa0abc707edde8962404bad3e549.jpg


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Allegheny Tom said:
Just an update. Some patches are nearing full maturity, while other patches (the one in my earlier photo) are still in the flower stage.
I picked 2 pods just to see how quickly I can dry them and ship them out. I want them to be at least semi dry before I send them.
bb9ba3e7a64e9979059693f651e89d7e.jpg
39b6f461e2857d08a0cc4b2baeda75a6.jpg
8fb36e4a161f39e309acf56435aab599.jpg
8c91fcfb38e58fab4dbcac5549729fbb.jpg
2de1fa0abc707edde8962404bad3e549.jpg


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Click to expand...
Do you have a particular drying process for your milkweed pods? Or is leaving them sit out fine enough? We have some here in Western WI looking about that far along.
 
CWild_WI said:
Do you have a particular drying process for your milkweed pods? Or is leaving them sit out fine enough? We have some here in Western WI looking about that far along.
Click to expand...
I've always just laid them out on a tray and wasn't worried about how long it took because I usually had some left over from the previous year.

But this year is different because I need to get them mailed out as soon as I can. I have one pod in a food dryer for about 8 hours now. Its probably half way dry.

One important thing to do is to wrap the pods with a rubber band as they get farther into the drying process because the pods will naturally split open and the floaters will fallout and create a huge mess.

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Another update for you guys waiting for my pods and a tip for milkweed rookies that want to pick their own.
The good news is we have lots of local milkweed that's doing great this year.
The not as good news is I think Ive learned that you cannot "speed dry" the stuff. I've never had to hurry this process. I've always just picked when it starts to dry on the plant but since I'm shipping this to some guys, I wanted to get it processed and mailed asap.

It seems that, in order to produce a quality floater, the pods need to remain on the plant until they start to dry. I guess Mother Nature has designed these to float effectively and if you pick too soon, then the floaters aren't really ready to float.



The pod on the left is from last year's picking which was harvested when the pods were on the verge of naturally starting to split on the plant.
Notice how every fiber separates and makes a nice, fluffy floater. They will drift on the air currents great.

The pod on the right is from a picking last week. The pods looked mature on the plant but they were still green and very moist. I put them in the food dehydrator for 36 hours and they dried out completely. However, there must be some sort of sap that remains on each floater and the little fibers will not separate completely and they won't easily unstick from each other. The floaters from artificially dried pods will not drift well...they drop almost straight to the ground unless there is a substantial breeze. The true value of milkweed is that it shows the slightest air current...the kind of air movement that we can't even feel, the kind that allows deer to bust us. But a crappy floater won't show ultra light air movement.

So, for you guys waiting for my pods, just hang on...I will pick and ship when the time is right. If you can't wait, let me know and I will remove you from the list. I won't pick and send pods until I know they will produce quality floaters.

For you guys that are picking your own, have patience. Don't pick them until they are on the verge of naturally splitting on the plant.
I gotta admit, a crap-quality milkweed floater is not very impressive. A quality floater is worlds-apart. Wait until the pods are ready until you pick. It's the way Mother Nature designed them.
6867bfe087f1fe2318847df1d698b038.jpg


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Allegheny Tom said:
Another update for you guys waiting for my pods and a tip for milkweed rookies that want to pick their own.
The good news is we have lots of local milkweed that's doing great this year.
The not as good news is I think Ive learned that you cannot "speed dry" the stuff. I've never had to hurry this process. I've always just picked when it starts to dry on the plant but since I'm shipping this to some guys, I wanted to get it processed and mailed asap.

It seems that, in order to produce a quality floater, the pods need to remain on the plant until they start to dry. I guess Mother Nature has designed these to float effectively and if you pick too soon, then the floaters aren't really ready to float.



The pod on the left is from last year's picking which was harvested when the pods were on the verge of naturally starting to split on the plant.
Notice how every fiber separates and makes a nice, fluffy floater. They will drift on the air currents great.

The pod on the right is from a picking last week. The pods looked mature on the plant but they were still green and very moist. I put them in the food dehydrator for 36 hours and they dried out completely. However, there must be some sort of sap that remains on each floater and the little fibers will not separate completely and they won't easily unstick from each other. The floaters from artificially dried pods will not drift well...they drop almost straight to the ground unless there is a substantial breeze. The true value of milkweed is that it shows the slightest air current...the kind of air movement that we can't even feel, the kind that allows deer to bust us. But a crappy floater won't show ultra light air movement.

So, for you guys waiting for my pods, just hang on...I will pick and ship when the time is right. If you can't wait, let me know and I will remove you from the list. I won't pick and send pods until I know they will produce quality floaters.

For you guys that are picking your own, have patience. Don't pick them until they are on the verge of naturally splitting on the plant.
I gotta admit, a crap-quality milkweed floater is not very impressive. A quality floater is worlds-apart. Wait until the pods are ready until you pick. It's the way Mother Nature designed them.
6867bfe087f1fe2318847df1d698b038.jpg


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Click to expand...
I believe I am on the list and wish to remain on it. I will patiently wait for them to be ready.
 
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