Yep. I will send you a PM.Tom - Do you have any pods left? I'm interested in getting one! Thanks - Kraig
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.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.
Its a good thing you're doing and if you run short in the fall, I'll send you a box.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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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.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.
I've never found milkweed growing at the base of a tree where I'd dropped seeds in previous years.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.
Realistically I knew that is most likely the case. It was just one of those random thoughts that passed through my mind.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.
Here is the latest thank you from the most recent donations. We are now over $1,400 in donations. Thank you all!View attachment 30376