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Pods For A Cause (milkweed)

Yes. This is awesome. Such great hearts out here!!!


Now then, get your equipment--your quiver and bow--and go out to the open country to hunt some wild game for me.
Genesis 27:3
 
Any pods left anyone? I have a greenhouse setup and I can try to start growing some to add to the cause. I've never seen them here in GA.
 
joesoup said:
Any pods left anyone? I have a greenhouse setup and I can try to start growing some to add to the cause. I've never seen them here in GA.
Click to expand...
I've seen websites that sell seeds and I've also read that the seeds need special care to preserve moisture during stratification to keep the seeds viable. So if you intend to grow some, you may want to research it a little. I've never paid much attention to growing procedures because there's a ton of wild milkweed around here. I actually did a rag doll test with my seeds last year and none of them sprouted, which I liked. I doubt that the seeds from my pods are viable so they won't inadvertently plant an unwanted (in some areas) weed.
 
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.
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Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Its a good thing you're doing and if you run short in the fall, I'll send you a box.
 
Allegheny Tom said:
I've seen websites that sell seeds and I've also read that the seeds need special care to preserve moisture during stratification to keep the seeds viable. So if you intend to grow some, you may want to research it a little. I've never paid much attention to growing procedures because there's a ton of wild milkweed around here. I actually did a rag doll test with my seeds last year and none of them sprouted, which I liked. I doubt that the seeds from my pods are viable so they won't inadvertently plant an unwanted (in some areas) weed.
Click to expand...
All season, as I'm pulling the seed off the off the end in the tree to get the most float, I'm thinking there's going to be little patches of milkweed sprouting up around all the trees I hunted out of this year. :D
 
boyne bowhunter said:
All season, as I'm pulling the seed off the off the end in the tree to get the most float, I'm thinking there's going to be little patches of milkweed sprouting up around all the trees I hunted out of this year. :D
Click to expand...
I've never found milkweed growing at the base of a tree where I'd dropped seeds in previous years.
Before I started using the clips, it would be inevitable that I'd drop from the tree, and loose pods in the leaves. Hundreds of seeds dropped at the base of the tree...I never had even 1 plant grow.
 
Allegheny Tom said:
I've never found milkweed growing at the base of a tree where I'd dropped seeds in previous years.
Before I started using the clips, it would be inevitable that I'd drop from the tree, and loose pods in the leaves. Hundreds of seeds dropped at the base of the tree...I never had even 1 plant grow.
Click to expand...
Realistically I knew that is most likely the case. It was just one of those random thoughts that passed through my mind. :tearsofjoy: :tearsofjoy: :tearsofjoy:
 
The last contribution ($125) brings our current total donations to $1,145. I edited out some personal details on the receipt. I asked them to address it to "Saddle Hunting Patriots" but they printed my and my wife's name and address. That's the reason for the redactions on the receipt.
Thank you patriots!
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Tom, I've got plenty of milkweed for next season (if it survives the Florida summer), but will still buy some more from you to support the cause! Just put me on the list. Thanks, mark
 
When SOWF receives this $115 check, our total donations will be up to $1,260.
I wondered about posting the names (forum names, not actual names) of those who have donated (not post the amount donated, just the forum names), but some may not want me to do that.
Any objections? PM me if you do not want yourself included in acknowledgement of having donated. Once again...I will not post the amount donated. I just wanted to show a public "thank you" to those that have contributed.
 
I wanted to say thank you once again to all the generous donors to this cause.
There are a few people on this list that did not show up as members here and there are a few new orders that have not yet sent donations.
I'm blown away by the generosity of people on this forum. I'm not just talking about being generous with donations, I'm also talking about generosity in sharing help, advice and opinions on so many other subjects that we discuss. We have a class bunch of people on Saddlehunter!
We've received donations in the amounts of $5 to $125, and some guys didn't even want pods, they just wanted to contribute.
I sincerely apologize if I missed anyone on this list. Early on, I didn't expect this to grow to these numbers and I didn't keep the best of notes when I 1st started this. Haha, my record keeping, and note taking skills still needs a lot of work.

Thank you and God bless. Stay well. Allegheny Tom
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Speaking of generosity..........

Tom your efforts are greatly appreciated. Its because of your generosity that we were able to pitch in. We at least got something in return. You gathered then distributed those pods in an awesome package. So thanks for letting us be part of your generosity and kindness.
 
Here is the latest thank you.
I did get a few more donations right after I sent this last one so there will be more donated within a month or so. I don't send a new check every time I get a new donation. I usually wait until a few accumulate and then send one check.

Screen Shot 2020-04-13 at 11.55.39 AM.pngScreen Shot 2020-04-13 at 11.55.39 AM.png
 
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