I have yet to consistently hold the pods together during drying. (of our specific species milkweed we have around here)
I had 18 pods wrapped with rubber bands this year, and about a dozen last year. Between both years, I have had a total of 1 pod not split cleanly on both sides anyways. My pods from this year separated completely.
So, my options are in a container, or nothing.
................................................................................All climbing methods, platforms, saddle designs, and/or use of materials possibly mentioned in the post above are not peer reviewed for safety, and should only be used as an example of my own method. Do your own research and testing before becoming confident in any DIY solution to support your life.
-IkemanTx
Hmmm, The only milkweed species that I've ever seen here in PA
always has just one split and the split is
always in the same position from pod to pod...it's always identical to every other pod. I can look at an immature pod 2 months before harvest time and tell exactly where the split will be located, and all pods split naturally. Containing the floaters within the pod during the drying phase is easy with our variety. I've seen posts where guys have said the slice open the split. There is no need to cut a pod with our species of milkweed around here. I just let pods naturally split open when the time is right. At that point it will be properly dry with primo floaters. Speed-drying an immature pod doesn't work well with our pods. For grade A floaters, you gotta let them fully mature on the plant before picking. Then lay them in a warm, dry place with rubber band around the pod to contain floaters.
I guess it's a mistake that gets made on a lot of forums...We assume that everyone else's situation is similar to our situation.
Whether it's food plotting, habitat work, rut timing, fawn drop, antler drop, etc, etc, we assume that guy down South deals with the same stuff as we do 1,000 miles away.
If you would like to try any of our variety, let me know. I'll be picking and shipping a few hundred next month. I can add you to my list.