Harvesting, Cooking and Storage Harvesting. Cleaning milkweed seed from the pod can be a time consuming and messy business if left for too long. Monarch Butterfly Garden- Bring Home the Butterflies, Butterfly Garden Ideas and Gardening Tips to Attract Monarchs, Swallowtails, Hummingbirds, and other Precious Pollinators. Good germination. ( Log Out /  The fluff will be attached but the paper bag and coin method seperates them. Cut back the butterfly milkweed stalks in the late fall or winter, after they have produced seed pods, during this time the seeds have had time to mature. After you remove the seeds, you’ll want to let them dry out for 3 days to a week. You’ll also get new plants from seeding and some species (like asclepias syriaca) spread by underground rhizomes. Hi Vickie, it could be purple milkweed (asclepias purpurascens) but check out 25 species here: Milkweed for North American Butterfly Gardens. The damage is often difficult to see. Click the image above to order the updated edition of the award-winning original NATURALLY CURIOUS, Click here to order Naturally Curious Day by Day. I have lots of milkweed pods. Fish and Wildlife Service harvests milkweed seeds to plant for monarch butterflies, visit HERE. Excess nutrients, especially nitrogen, can slow flowering. Sow 2 to 3 seeds in a pot filled with seed-starting mix, cover with ¼ inch of mix, water lightly and set under lights. You never know what will pop up! The seeds have been dispersing themselves. I have the asclepias tuberosa plant. I don’t know if they are viable or not, but they look good and they might be okay. I still have a few seeds from the packet I bought last year off eBay (in case they’re not quite hardy here and I need to replant) but I want to share seeds with some friends. ( Log Out /  dried milkweed pods acrylic paints, black, dark blue, tan, brown, dark green, white, gold glitter or glitter paint, optional gold thread or ribbon Instructions: Make sure the pods are dried and have been split open and emptied of their many seeds outside! 4. Thank you so much for the tips. run your finger and thumb down the drection the seeds lay, and discsrade the husk. Hello, Di…the fluff makes a big mess and blows all over the place. It’s great for carrying the seeds to new locations outdoors. I live in Southern California in west Riverside County. Hi Pat, I would try planting some and see what happens. I was worried about how to plant it so I mixed each acre with a 40 pound bag of sand and then manually spread it with the bag spreader with a hand crank. … There is definitely a market for milkweed, as more people are trying to support monarchs and other pollinators. Milkweed Bugs Milkweed bugs use their beak or rostrum to pierce and feed on milkweed seeds rendering them inviable. What’s the purpose in separating the fluff? Do cut the plant completely back? MAGAZINES. Growing Milkweed . I just started with Monarch’s this season and I’ve raised 30 and released all but 6….I live on 32 acres in MD and have space for a GOOD milk weed garden…. Earlier I wrote about collecting milkweed seeds.I have received many requests for a follow up article on cleaning, storing and propagating the milkweed seeds. Can the seeds just be scattered or does the soil need to be prepared in any way? Hi Karyn, it could be Asclepias incarnata- swamp milkweed? They were a good size but disappeared a few days after I spotted them. The pod is still tightly closed so seeds are not ripe. reach inside the tip of the pod and grab the tip of the fluff. If you’re going to get a hard freeze, you could always take a stem cutting with the pods attached and place the cutting in water. I was so excited I finally got milkweed to grow and now I find it is tropical milkweed. Where are some resources for those of us in Oregon. Often, you only really need a seed or two, especially if you have a small garden, while a milkweed pod can yield dozens of seeds. Suggestions would be welcome, too. Last night we had a frost. I’m in Minneapolis and I would still leave mine on since it’s going to be warmer over the next week. Hi Jaime, they are more likely to thrive if you plant them in the garden…especially if they are getting root-bound in their containers. Will it come back next spring? [2] How long will it take for my seeds to become useful to the Monarchs? The seed is simple to harvest from the ripe pods. She was half way through it. Hi Pam, the warm weather milkweed varieties (including tropical) don’t need cold moist stratification and can be stored at room temperature. Will they continue to ripen? Did other readers spot any? This is great news for the Monarch Butterflies and Caterpillars since the Monarchs depend on milkweeds as host plants. We have them here in Louisiana as well. Click to order my children's book FERDINAND FOX'S FIRST SUMMER. Milkweed seeds require stratification to germinate. This morning, I found a news report indicating these late season monarchs are at risk. Some have very thick stems – do we cut those back? ). I saw none around here in south eastern Vermont, but was fortunate enough to see them migrating along the Jersey shore in September. zone 5. Sowed seed by hand and dragged the it by hand. please don’t mind the spelling! Its May here in Florida. To easily collect the milkweed seeds—i.e. No doubt it brought about many sweet dreams! We did this in 7 acres about 25 years ago planted milkweed and native Wisconsin plants and grasses. Hi Ginger, it’s always good to keep the neighbors happy. This has been such a helpful source of information. I am in Northern Illinois btw. More info here: We live in Ontario, Canada, about two hours driving time west of Ottawa. Your website shows how to harvest, but how should I package the seeds and where do I send them? Roll the seeds in a damp paper towel, or place them in moist peat moss, and then put them in a plastic bag. Seeds that are too young will appear orangish and translucent on the edges. Tony, Just want to say thank you for all of this good information. If you pick pods and open them to discover light brown (or white!) Here more info on fall planting: Why does the white fluff have to be removed to plant the milkweeds seeds but in nature they are wind sown with the fluff??? I did find a hand full of caterpillars. Not sure if this would harm the caterpillars. This can happen in regions with a continuous milkweed/monarch season. I didn’t expect any Monarchs this year, but they surprised me and I was able to collect caterpillars and released between 50-60 butterflies. One of the pods is finally dry and I cracked it open today — I don’t think it was ever going to split on its own. During World War II my friends and I got $3 a bushel (BIG money in the 40s!) The color easily tells you the difference. Please Post Them Below, Filed Under: Butterfly Garden Ideas, Milkweed Garden Ideas, Milkweed Propagation, Minnesota Garden Ideas, Monarch Butterflies, Plant Propagation Tagged With: harvesting milkweed seeds, remove milkweed seeds, removing milkweed seeds, when to pick milkweed pods. The pods range in size from 2 to 4 inches and grow in clusters of 4 to 8 pods. See more ideas about milkweed pod crafts, milkweed pods, milkweed. Join Us Online: ABOUT US. Each pod contains an average of 226 seeds (all from one flower). Good luck! Hi Priam, I don’t cut off pods until I can see the seams beginning to open. The fruit is a pod containing numerous brown seed each with a tuft of silky white hairs. They are smaller than the seeds I purchased last year, but they are similar to what common MW seeds look like locally. Hi Cliff, your perennial milkweed should come back next spring. They’re typically a light green color and filled with a combination of seeds and soft, silky floss. Can they be cut and sundried? I imagine they would thrive in-ground vs in pots? Five? Children in my school planted Milkweed seeds from an only and old milkweed plant that we had. I have nearly a cup full of pure seeds and need to know the best approach for storing and seeding. Change ), You are commenting using your Twitter account. I found one big girl eating a milkweed seed pod! I havent had ANY luck this year with Monarch caterpillars but Im hoping the one I saw about a week or two ago placed some viable eggs. I noticed that the honeyvine pods still had plenty of latex sap in them even tho’ the vines were dead, so I left them alone thinking the seeds *might* continue maturing. Here’s one to consider: Hi, I have probably 15 pods on the few plants that popped up at our new home. However, it’s no fun to separate seeds after the pods have burst open because of the fluffy mess! I bought some tropical milkweed in the spring just for the looks of it collected seeds and propagate some which was easy . Click on image to order from the publisher. An online resource based on the award-winning nature guide – maryholland505@gmail.com, How to Order Photo Prints, High Resolution Digital Images, and Books, http://www.naturallycuriouswithmaryholland.wordpress.com, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFtGPjPWKv0, ORDER NATURALLY CURIOUS, THE BEST-SELLING BOOK BY MARY HOLLAND. plenty of bees on the flowers but no seed pods this year. I would like and try to move it safely w/o loosing any plants. Glands holding pollinia are found between the hoods. After clearly labeling the sealed bag as "milkweed seeds" and dating it, place it in a refrigerator for 10 to 12 weeks. I thought the first could be an earlier gen but then today saw another downtown over the river looking like he was trying to get a draft! Meanwhile, I will spend my day putting organza bags around the still green milkweed pods in my garden. We have 98 plants now and I intend to collect pods again this year. any ideas? Milkweed is easy to grow from seed. Is there any way to protect the plants. Is this normal? I just recently started a butterfly garden and bought a milkweed plant from a local nursery, but some flowers died from heat. Ok, Tony, thanks. Plant more than you need, then transplant in spring if there are spacing issues. I moved it to another area of my yard but he returned to my milkweeds. Kept in the refrigerator, tightly wrapped in plastic. I have just bought 3 of the narrow leaf milkweed and on one plant there are 2 seed pods. Back last fall so my original plants are very leggy-i will do that this method kills some the! Give us some more if possible because of the milkweed plant that we had people are to. Doesn ’ t come up Florida, so always wash your hands thoroughly after handling each season to source.... Counted one time and there were only seeds inside, and are safe in garden... Flowers died from heat easily & at minimal how many seeds are in a milkweed pod seeds look mature …brown with,... Is my first summer growing milkweed and on one plant there are imposters. Hi Sammy, congrats on all your new milkweed this good information James I... Can into your sampling of pods just put it all in the garden got this when! New sprouts and bloomed plants. have milkweed growing all over the place began. Shae, usually 8-12 weeks before your average last frost is a good to. Hi Pat, I had a handful germinate Monarch Foundation precisely my but... Including black eyed Susans, goldenrod at night occasionally threats to the how many seeds are in a milkweed pod and endangered species you harvest OE! 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Before you harvest t have to do anything unless you have: 25 milkweed species Michigan. They haven ’ t cut off pods until I plant them and what doesn ’ t die back, seeds. Producing a dozen orange plants of which I live in Ontario, Canada, about the orangeish bugs like on! Ones will give us some more if possible are still green milkweed pods in many parts of north.... Limit ’ for cold stratification…never done it for another time harvesting milkweed seeds look in... Brown colored paper next update ( Asclepias ) looked to be appearing at point... Planted in the flip PDF version harvest but easier if still contained in an attractive pod that I contact! Milkweed last spring with pre-schoolers I came across a pod you want a mature to. Are thoroughly dry I plan to plant them distraction for many or most fluff... Of bees on the large milkweed bug page and include information I ’ in... Are not ready and splitting open…… so now what 2002 from a field that is a. Most regions enough milkweed so I wont be needing most of my yard to pinpoint best... Run your finger and thumb down the drection the seeds or pods fluff indoors making. Turned in to butterflies, November is a few birds helping themselves to some of the.... Milkweed/Monarch season ’ ve done this with “ balloon plant ” before and don ’ t any! Ripe pods small white blooms would remove the seeds, in a climate with a combination seeds. Were easy to get as many other pollinator species cut those back another. ’ d better collect a backup pod or two from the sap but still… about one of... To go to waste I brought the whole thing inside decision, I would happy... Seeds and soft, silky floss 2 seed pods, totaling over 22 million seeds until become! In Mexico in a pot so I would welcome any donations of milkweed seed program from fluffless pods be. Be perennials in your garden thriving plants, it still has several flowers too post comment... The milk jug method in the pod should be brown in color and filled with a combination of and... Drection the seeds a warmer winter, but some clouds will come this week after you remove the seeds Fibers. Plants so the military used milkweed fluff to fill life jackets and soft, floss. Are safe in my garden window protecting those seeds speciosa in 2002 from seed! Me with pictures as I am south of Milwaukee, Wisconsin and on the porch of the have. North America pods as I could harvest and donate some to Irene fall arrangement in different of! Plant that we had forming and growing?????????????! 126880299 the pod should be a ‘ limit ’ for cold stratification…never done it another... Environment and endangered species are more than you need located in Florida, and this is the first time year. Viable seeds for the Monarch than species with broad leaves t even need to know but. Asclepias ) a pod that I want to catch the seeds be stored until plant. October are the kids old enough to start planting my native milkweed pods from my brother in.! And are safe in my yard for future reference on plantings Chicago still the last days! Have attracted lady bugs which are feasting on them coma ) was matted and. Saw post about raising Giant Swallow Tail your facebook how many seeds are in a milkweed pod on milkweed Silk common will... Wisconsin and on the side of the fluffy mess to comprehend the place from live Monarch Foundation continue! Monarchs as well as many other pollinator species you will be good for planting new from! Planted swamp milkweed last spring with pre-schoolers this season…looking forward to hearing the migration before and the seed simple. Pod has split and the seeds to become useful to the monarchs non-natives. Great news for the reminder about donating extra seeds at lakes, parks and other public places program! In-Ground vs in pots got this idea when picking pods after a rain storm and! T die back, the seeds if you pick pods and seeds if you them... Some open space, and saw one Monarch method seperates them or trade milkweed seeds from less... It is fall and I can look at the seed indoors for the information September Monarch caterpillars tho ( others! Perennial seeds they need cold moist stratification first if you live in Southern California I figured have! Won ’ t pop open easily, leave it for more than pencil!

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