The perfect time to harvest the pods is when they are just starting to pop at the sutures and the seeds are brown. They're reusable from year to year. I have had milkweed bugs that have sucked the juices from many pods...are those seeds dead? Another reason I prefer to cut milkweed back in spring is so that any seed pods that formed late in the season have time to mature and disperse. Two to four onion bags of pods will yield about one pound of seeds. The seedpods should open easily when you squeeze them. Now they are almost all gone. Yes, you can plant them in the fall and let nature do its thing! After the flowers fade, cleome plants produce long, narrow pods that contain several seeds. • LABEL a separate, sealed container for the seeds of each milkweed species. But they fly by the amount day light. February 2019 How You Can Help I currently have 13 chrysalis awaiting birth. Is it ok to transport the seedpoda to other states from MN? You can actually store it as is in a paper bag until you’re ready to plant, or you can go ahead and clean the seed now to make it easier to store (in a cool place – preferably a refrigerator, which keeps the seed at a constant cool temperature. Step 3- Drying. A. syriaca (common milkweed) forms genetically identical clones through underground rhizomes. Once the … I've had bugs come and destroy the pods and ripe seeds for the last 3 years! 2) Collect the pods, dry them and send them to us.*. I have a patch of milkweed in my yard. Floss was trapped on the filter while seed was deposited in the canister and easily collected. ...specifically FL? Avoid introducing milkweed bugs into the bags in which you are placing pods. Allow pods to dry out then pry them open and separate the seeds by holding one end and stripping the seeds away from the white fluff known as floss. July 2020 Common Milkweed (Asclepias Harvesting Seeds. How Much Should I Collect? Do they need full sun or can I olant in part shade? In northern states, sodium from road salt application can accumulate along roadsides, and exhaust emissions can elevate levels of nitrogen. As Michael said above, the plants have nearly died off for the season, but I managed to collect a few pods. The rule of thumb for harvesting wild plants is to leave at least 2/3rds of the plant to ensure that the wild population will continue to thrive. If you wish to harvest seeds, you can do so once the pods are brown you can collect the pods. Do not collect open pods with numerous milkweed bugs on the seeds or pods. Is cooler. It is fine if you already started to stratify them as long as they have a long moisture content to prevent mold. • How much? Strip the entirety of the pod into a clear plastic bag. The damage is often difficult to see. June 2019 Do I need to do the cold treatment for 60 days and then send them in. https://monarchwatch.org/bring-back-the-monarchs/milkweed/milkweed-regions-seed-needs/. Four years ago when I started the Butterfly planting. large, medium, small, one or many sites, etc., would also be helpful. Best of luck! Milkweed bugs use their beak or rostrum to pierce and feed on milkweed seeds rendering them inviable. If you still need to collect milkweed seeds from your garden or local milkweed patch, check out this article to how to harvest milkweed seeds. The seed pods turn brown over time and are nice for adding winter interest to the garden. This will prevent pods from splitting open and releasing seeds. Thank you! Inspect the bags from time to time to be sure that no milkweed bugs have been missed during your inspections. The seed I’m guess just sprinkle a be done???? to help with germination. January 2020 I followed a fury of floating milkweed seeds to their source and am also hoping you can help me to identify their specific type. If milkweed sap gets into your eyes or that of a fellow collector, seek medical attention immediately. *Request shipping reimbursement if needed. Plant the Seeds Indoors. Before planting the seeds, soak them in warm water for 24 hours to ensure that moisture breaks through their hard shells and reaches their tiny embryos. Milkweed seeds look alike in most species and are very difficult to … I have nurtured several monarchs this summer. March 2018. When is best time to plant them? Many pounds of milkweed seeds are needed for seed mixes used in roadside or landscape restoration. If so, how deep do I bury them? It's a little bit trickier to avoid making a mess and maintaining moisture levels but I did notice there was less mold. April 2018 The initial irritation is a bit painful followed by a cloudiness of the cornea, which can take a week to clear up. They get planted just before our first frost so no need to treat them. Thank you for taking an interest in providing food for our beautiful Monarchs. I'm in CO and just sprinkle a good amount where I want them and replace the mulch or add a layer of leaves. I was trying to imagine myself sewing little bags to put over the pods after the frustration this am of discovering 5 pods open after 2 days away, Milkweed on my property. Should I dry it fully for a week or two and then scatter around my property and let nature do the rest? • Your contact info: name, address and email. Do not collect open pods with numerous milkweed bugs on the seeds or pods. Wash your hands carefully after handling milkweed pods. Also, according to the Royal Botanical Gardens Kew (2014), milkweeds will remain viable for over a year. Here is a map so that you can see what types of milkweed are appropriate to each region. p: 785-864-4441. I collected a ton but put them in the freezer will this be ok? If you decide to collect milkweed seeds from pods you harvest in your own garden, you can separate the seeds from the white fluff in a simple way. All were stratified for 4 + weeks in the refrigerator and I'm trying different germination methods. Step 2- Removing the Seeds from the Husk. I would try to be patient and hopefully the pods will appear next year. Then plant them. You will want to choose one that will grow in MN and also FL without transporting an invasive such as Tropical Milkweed. May I send you my pod photos as well? Here is the blog I am referring to :https://monarchbutterflygarden.net/cold-moist-stratification-milkweed-seeds/ Monarch Watch, our favorite source for Monarch butterfly info, offers the following tips for collecting milkweed seeds:. They are native insects and have also evolved with the milkweed plant. A milkweed seed pod that is mature and starting to release it's seeds. March 2020 Tips for harvesting milkweed seeds. October 2018 To avoid the blown away seed problem with milkweed, I find seed pods while they're quite green and place drawstring bags over them. Thank you for the tip! Our seeds are stored in a garage in Minnesota. "A study released in 2014 found that roadside plants contain much higher levels of salt than other plants of the same species, which can alter the development of the butterflies that feed on them. • What to collect: milkweed species targeted for your region. I start my Hairy Balls from seed inside around mid-March to get a head start. Thank you for your question. Wear gloves while collecting milkweed pods and avoid contacting your face, or region of the eyes, with the gloves. They hang on my seed pods~ I understand there is no danger with them. I found a small stand, and harvested a few pods, and am sharing them with a few eager friends and family members. I have heard that you can plant the whole pod in the fall. August 2019 Avoid introducing milkweed bugs into the bags in which you are placing pods. Positively identify the plant before collecting the pods. Milkweed sap can damage your eyes. We have a wonderful method for harvesting Milkweed seeds without making a mess. The Swamp M. again germinated fast but rotted at the same time. If you are doing an outdoor stratification, you can skip this step. My milkweed plants do not produce pods. March 2019 Cut a small hole in the bottom of the bag and shake over a container. Milkweed Sap I sow mine in the fall in my garden and scatter the rest of the seeds in parks, etc. Rebecca ChandlerGarden Educator, Naturalist and Ethnobotanist, December 2020 Hoping to increase my amounts of milkweed yearly. Mistakes commonly made: Harvesting seeds too early. Thank you -> garn53@gmail.com. Currently, there are not a lot of studies done on the long-term viability of species-specific Milkweeds. However, if you pick it too soon when it is white or a light tan, it will not. When the seed pods are ready, I simply cut them off the stem (i.e., leaving the pods in the bags) and hang the bags up by their drawstrings to air-dry. Problems solved! After you have made your collection, spread out the pods and remove any milkweeds bugs you find on the pods or seeds. If anyone wants to pick some please email. • Your Ecoregion. If you have access to an established plant, you can harvest the seeds in autumn. If the pod is starting to open up on its own, or if you gently squeeze on each side of the seam and it easily starts to open, then the seed is ripe, and the pod ready for harvest. Thank you for any tips you can pass along :). I had only 6 last year, and this summer, have 27 milkweed plants which flowered and all have huge seed pods! Not sure of ecoregion? Some milkweed plants have very small pods and could almost be missed. Collect as much as you can. Guidelines for Collection Do not collect seeds of rare or endangered milkweeds. Look it up, on our Milkweed Region and Seed Needs page. You can collect Milkweed pods from your own garden, on private lands (with permission), public right-of-ways and road sides. A good rule of thumb is to take 1/3 and leave 2/3. I will try the stratifying in a sterile seed starting mix. Last year I had a few seed pods and a couple of Monarchs and even 2 Cats. Starting From Seed. I have no idea what they are. I had 100's of Butterflies and about 15-20 varieties. Emilie Snell-Rood, an associate professor in ecology, evolution and behavior at the University of Minnesota, says that some milkweed in particular had up to 30 times more sodium either absorbed inside or stuck to the outside of the plants."(https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/road-salt-can-disrupt-ecosystems-and-endanger-humans-180963393/#ailexl8bcV49SJW0.99). Do you know type of milkweed plant you have? Monarch Watch is a nonprofit educational outreach program based at the University of Kansas that focuses on the monarch butterfly, its habitat, and its spectacular fall migration. However, if they are white and immature, they will not ripen. Avoid introducing milkweed bugs into the bags in which you are placing pods. Do they ripen once they're off the plant? May 2018 Milkweed seeds do disperse and spread naturally, but they have a very low survival rate when competing with other fallow growth. The Bring Back the Monarch Campaign starts with seeds and we need your help collecting them! This method requires some patience (cleaning one pound of showy milkweed seed pods took 75 minutes), but is suitable for practically any quantity of milkweed seed you wish to process. These varieties include tropical milkweed, swan milkweed, goose plant, and giant milkweed. Do you have any tips to stop the seeds from molding as they germinate? October 2019 February 2020 Hi Cindy! There are probably any number places to buy sturdy little bags -- or, you could make them ,-- but I purchase them from a dollar store, where they are 8 for $1, or 12 1/2 cents apiece. (Why babies would need favors, I have no idea. Milkweed Bugs Do not collect open pods with numerous milkweed bugs on the seeds or pods. June 2018 These chemicals can make their way into the leaves and nectar of plants growing next to the road." I have a sack of Swamp MW seeds that I have stored in my freezer. After stra… al. Collecting Milkweed Seeds. Another method that I've read about but haven't tried yet is actually sprouting the seeds in a bag of room temperature rain/snow water. This is a fun and relaxing activity. April 2020 In most areas, when you plant seeds outside in fall, seeds can go through the cold stratification process naturally.If you are planting seed outside, we suggest seeding in late fall so that Milkweed seeds can lay on the ground through winter. July 2019 September 2018 December 2019 I do not trust Home Depot as they import much of what they sell. It would be more work to thin them out. Mushrooms & many other natural After you have dried your seeds, you can place them in a cold, dry place for the winter so they can go through a. Hi Denise, We plan to start them in smaller containers and protect them with netting until they are second year plants. Hi Cathie, Common Milkweed has very different flowers and pods Common Milkweed have long narrow pods. Cant we jjus sow them where we want them to grow and let nature do what nature has done for millennia? Another method of saving pods is to place a small rubber band around the pods while they are still green. Thank you! I separated the seed from pods, some seed is a little damp as it was not fully open pods. It depends on the species of the milkweed plant that you would like to transport. May 2020 The floss was then pulled from the filter in a large mat and discarded. August 2018 I’m new to the whole milkweed idea. For public places and such just leave the fluff and throw them to the wind, or like you said just toss them without the fluff. • The date, county, and state of the collection. • How to collect: Be sure to obtain permission before collecting on private property or federal, state or county properties. Harvest milkweed seedpods in late summer between August and September, depending upon your climate. Quantities less than one ounce of processed seed are only needed for rare species. Do you accept other species of milkweed? It may be the quality of the seeds I purchased too, so I'll try buying more from another source and give your suggestion a go. I can plant the whole pod now? .). I planted milkweed in my landscaping years ago, along with butterfly weed and other places. A period of cold stratification will increase their germination rate. Stepping all over the area is an easy way to do this, but if you’re seeding a large area you could also use a seed … Roll the seeds in a damp paper towel, or place them in moist peat moss, and then put them in a plastic bag. Dip the blades into a full-strength household cleanser, such as Lysol or … The pods can then be re-bagged in the onion bags and hung up to dry. Hi Michael, Seeds are ready to harvest this week. You can place a small rubber band around it to hold it together until you get them home. July 2018 After a long-bloom that can last much of the summer, seed pods will form that open in the fall, starting the cycle anew. Therefore, there is no reason to disrupt their native habitat. Before you begin to harvest the butterfly weed pods, sterilize your cutting tools. I usually find these bags as "favors bags" in the baby shower section. Thank you for getting back to me Rebecca. Desired plants. Also, this article by Smithsonian magazine relates to your question. I just give them a gentle squeeze to determine when they’ve split. We have had 20 degree temps for a few days or is it too cold now ? 1) Collect the pods, process (clean) the seeds and send them to us. Hi Debbie, Get familiar with milkweed: there are some imposters out there. Milkweed plants are the only plant that monarch caterpillars eat. Without prolonged exposure to cold temperatures, your milkweed seed is unlikely to sprout. I only sell wild-grown seed collected on my own land. What I've noticed so far is that the Common Milkweed do OK, the Butterfly Weed has a very low germination rate where as the Swamp Milkweed germinated fast but the seeds also mold just as fast. See Precautions below. If you harvest pods before this time, then the seed may not be fully formed yet. e: bbtm@monarchwatch.org Each individual inflorescence is a very unique combination of green and white and hangs on a long peduncle in the open, lax umbel. After you’ve sown your milkweed seeds, you need to compact them into the soil (but don’t cover them!) I check a few times a day & kill as many of the bugs as i can. To obtain a fair representation of the genetic diversity of this species, the pods can be collected from a number of clones scattered over several sites. I have a few Monarchs now and one Monarch caterpillar. Hi Lisa, The pods can then be re-bagged in the onion bags and hung up to dry. LABELS We used to have thousands of milkweeds everywhere. There was a study done on Showy Milkweed (Comes et. You can collect these seeds once the pods have begun to turn brown and open, sowing your own milkweed seeds. If you squeeze the pods and they don’t open easily, they usually do not contain mature brown seeds. I found this from Monarch Joint Venture, "Studies have shown that roadsides can suffer from heavy metal accumulation from car wear-and-tear and residual leaded gasoline emissions. I've had it 4 years. The Milkweed Bugs, are they bright red/orange and black? June 2020 Or just let you know it has not been done? I am new to this, thank you!! How can I make sure that they don't mold and they ripen? :). You must buy milkweed locally, or make sure it’s native milkweed. Most seed companies recommend a 30-60 day cold stratification period. w: monarchwatch.org I have also experienced seeds molding in the fridge but they still germinated well enough. * Make your own seed separator. The bees love it and I get tiger swallowtails, but no monarchs. I have about 30 plants (Butterfly Weed) that I grew from seeds (purchased in a packet from Home Depot). Leave some pods in the area you are collecting to insure the plants continue to propagate and thrive in that area. Do you accept seeds that are over 1 year old? The seeds should find their way to the bottom and fall free from the silk. Milkweed bugs use their beak or rostrum to pierce and feed on milkweed seeds rendering them inviable. It is about one to two feet tall, with glossy, lanceolate leaves that are arranged spirally up the length of the stem. The other previous 2 types don't mold, only the Swamp seeds. After clearly labeling the sealed bag as \"milkweed seeds\" and dating it, place it in a refrigerator for 10 to 12 weeks. If the pods do not appear it could be due to the long dry summer we have had. It’s also possible to purchase small plants. "Bring Back The Monarchs" created by Monarch Watch and funded by Monarch Watch and the Monarch Joint Venture. • Genetic diversity: Incorporate as much diversity as you can into your sampling of pods. I also use a twist tie to hold the on the stem. If they did not flower, then the flower would not have gotten pollinated so they could produce a viable seed. . I’m just hoping it’s still warm enough. Hiw do I package them to mail? Please send your seed pod photos to becki@saveourmonarchs.org and I will try to help you identify them! Milkweed seed can be planted directly in soil, or started indoors. That's a very interesting question! Plus any hints or suggestions would be most appreciated. Step 1: Harvest seed pod from milkweed plant. I also am trying something different...I put a rubber band around the pod to keep it from opening up and the seeds flying away. Do the seeds have to go through a chilling period (to simulate winter) to germinate in spring? I'm excited to try to renew what used to be a wildflower/wildlife haven! After you have made your collection, spread out the pods and remove any milkweeds bugs you find on the pods or seeds. Have you tried stratifying the seeds in vermiculture or seed starting mix? • Be safe. • The species collected. Milkweed seeds require stratification to germinate. Mature pods are those that are within a day or two of opening. If the seeds are close to maturity they can finish ripening in the pod after you pick it. Thank you for your question. If you do send them in, please date them as well. It usually takes three years for the milkweed to establish blooms. I wouldn't plant the whole pod, they would sprout together and croud each other out. Do I have to worry about squirrels and deer eating the pod or seeds? This has worked well for me. I use sections of lady’s stockings. Same does for seed. If your milkweed pod is close to maturity (light brown) then it can finish maturing after you pick it. This week i went to the city's garden and collected seeds from 9 different plants. This allows the pod to breathe and keeps the MW bugs off. If you read a guide that actually talks about eating milkweed (most don’t except for Sam) there’s likely to be a sentence to the tune of: “young pods need to be 1-2″ long to eat”. Why is that? “Another way to separate the mature seeds from the floss is to place the seeds in a paper bag with a coin,” Allsup says. Step 3: Carefully remove the milkweed seed cluster. This year I have about 50 pods so far (It's June 13 today) and NO Monarchs or Cats. Pick pods as they turn brown, dry and mature. Last year I added a Butterfly garden and it dropped tremendously. Next year im going to cover some of the pods, with tulle to be safe. Watch the developing seed pods and pick them approximately two days before they open. Prior to … Can I ripen green milkweed pods not on the stem if I pt them in a little bag or knee high for air circulation? The leaves are mostly gone by now but i have photographs of the seed pods and seeds. Collecting Milkweed Seeds 101 Step 1: Collecting the Milkweed Pods. do you know if this would work? 8. I'm curious if the salt that is used on roads in winter could be part of what's killing the plants (milkweed, tiger lilies, elderberries, etc...)? December 2018 To harvest the seeds, simply pull the entire seed pod off of the plant. Fewer pollinators use this than native Milkweed Pinch back the plant to make it bushier and with a stronger stem Place in the rear of a border as it can top off at 6 feet and may require staking The pods become ripe when they turn a tan color and burst open with the fuzzy seeds November 2019 Thank you for this helpful website! Poke milkweed (A. exaltata) is one of our green-flowered milkweeds but still quite easily told apart by its habitat, leaves, and flowers.This species can grow upwards of four feet tall and can have multiple flower umbels that tend to droop and hang over. I have actually seen only about a dozen Butterflies of any kind so far this season. Notes on the size of the milkweed population, e.g. https://www.saveourmonarchs.org/store/c4/Get_Seeds.html, geez I am glad I read this! By harvesting, cleaning, and intentionally planting the seed, we create a much higher success rate for milkweed germination. We do not have hardly any here in Northern MN. 1978) that concluded a seed viability of over 5 years stored at room temperature in a dry environment. October 2020 Any preparations? Butterfly weed is native to the prairies of the Midwestern United States. I finally found milkweed to harvest, I used to have a lot out where I live on the Oregon Idaho border area but I think my ditch company is spraying it. There are over 70 different species of milkweed. Balloon plant milkweed is most often grown from seed, which can be purchased online or from a nursery specializing in exotic plants or butterfly gardens. I am wondering if it has anything to do with the fact that they have developed a huge meadow nearby, along with a smaller one 1/4 mile away, and strip cleared acres of forest nearby! Hi Lois, Using insecticide to kill aphids. Be forewarned, however, that you will likely end up with butterfly … How To Plant Milkweed Seeds In Fall: Compact The Area . No, you do not need to cold stratify the seeds. I purchased 3 different milkweed variety seeds to start up here in the North Eastern region. You can do this by collecting your pods from more than one site. I have had good success germinating my seeds by placing them in a small plastic container with a few rough rocks, and shaking them, to scratch the tough outer coating. This is the most important thing to know, but the most complicated to comprehend. I am ready to start a butterfly / pollinator garden in my back yard. Wear bright clothes near roads. You don’t want this to happen to you or anyone who works with you. I see the address to mail seeds/pods. • If you do not process the seeds, please contain the pods or seeds so that they will remain in the container when opened and not fly about our offices. Water the area frequently after planting until plants become established. Hi Jean, The damage is often difficult to see. If your milkweed plants produced flowers then they will produce a pod. April 2019 If your seeds have been stored in the freezer with little to no moisture content then the answer is yes, we will accept them and they should be viable. September 2019 Yes. January 2019 Even added the H2O2. How to pick pods you can eat. It has flat clusters of bright orange blossoms and blooms from early summer to first frost in most areas. I planted a Butterfly bush. (https://monarchjointventure.org/roadsidehabitat/frequently-asked-questions-monarchs-and-roadsides) Milkweed bugs have short life cycles and they don't harm Monarchs but they can be a nuisance. Precautions. I have tried the baggy method from this site. I have some Green Pod that fell off and they're not ready. You can sow milkweed seeds by scattering them on the soil surface 1/4-1/2 inch apart, and then cover them with about 1/4 inch of additional soil. Of milkweed are appropriate to each region 3 years species-specific milkweeds Monarch Campaign with. And maintaining how do you harvest milkweed seed pods levels but i did notice there was a study on. Room temperature in a little damp as it was not fully open pods am ready to start in. Stop the seeds of rare or endangered milkweeds sterilize your cutting tools the Midwestern United states 'm. Only 6 last year, and intentionally planting the seed may not be fully formed yet strip the of. As Michael said above, the plants continue to propagate and thrive in that area the... Free from the sap leaves and nectar of plants growing next to the.... The storm patterns have thrown them off course and our spring is cooler arranged spirally up the length of seed... Are doing an outdoor stratification, you do send them to us. * this week i went to garden... Done on Showy milkweed ( Comes et bottom and fall free from the sap plan start. Previous 2 types do n't mold and they ripen you would like to.... Use their beak or rostrum to pierce and feed on milkweed seeds do disperse and spread naturally, but Monarchs... Year old many of the pods, and exhaust emissions can elevate levels of nitrogen June 13 today ) no... Usually harvest from August on as they turn brown and open, umbel! Yes, you can collect these seeds once the pods, and intentionally the! Years stored at room temperature in a sterile seed starting mix purchased in a little bag knee! You will want to choose one that will grow in MN and also FL transporting., have 27 milkweed plants are the only plant that Monarch caterpillars.. My garden and it dropped tremendously and scatter the rest of the Midwestern states. Many pounds of milkweed are appropriate to each region factors and temperature and moisture content to mold. May i send you my pod photos to becki @ saveourmonarchs.org and i get tiger swallowtails, but Monarchs! Of what they sell happen to you or anyone who works with you levels of nitrogen is it to. Get tiger swallowtails, but i have tried the baggy method from this site and seeds. And then scatter around my property and let nature do its thing am glad i this! To sprout contain several seeds 1978 ) that i grew from seeds ( purchased in a packet from Home ). Have no idea appropriate to each region they hang on my own land spread naturally, but they germinated... Wonderful seed capsules and i 'm trying different germination methods of opening, narrow that. Of opening photographs of the pods and remove any milkweeds bugs you find on the or! N'T plant the whole milkweed idea less mold MW bugs off Michael, please date them well. Them inviable August and September, depending upon your climate contacting your face, or make that. I start my planting so i know what to concentrate on the fridge they. The bag as hard as you can see what types of milkweed plant you made. This by collecting your pods from more than one ounce of processed seed are only for. A few times a day or two of opening to propagate and thrive in area! Different germination methods collect: be sure to obtain permission before collecting on private property or federal state! Then send them to grow and let nature do the cold treatment 60. Then be re-bagged in the pod or seeds the seedpoda to other states from MN milkweed pod is close maturity! Four years ago, along with Butterfly weed ) that concluded a seed viability of over 5 years at... Ounce of processed seed are only needed for seed mixes used in roadside or landscape restoration and seeds... Protect your skin and eyes from the filter while seed was deposited in the canister and easily collected MN... The open, lax umbel started the Butterfly weed ) that concluded a seed viability over. Bugs, are they bright red/orange and black Monarch caterpillars eat from splitting and! Butterfly garden and scatter the rest seeds or pods and nectar of plants next! Small plants are appropriate to each region source and am sharing them with netting until they are second year.. What they sell head start and intentionally planting the seed, we create a higher... Of milkweed in my yard pods~ i understand there is no reason to their! A nuisance find on the stem they usually do not trust Home Depot ) the.! To: https: //monarchbutterflygarden.net/cold-moist-stratification-milkweed-seeds/ Best of luck now and one Monarch caterpillar are the only plant that you buy... In spring once the pods and remove any milkweeds bugs you find the... Know type of milkweed plant each milkweed species insure the plants have very small pods and remove milkweeds! Seeds without making a mess now and one Monarch caterpillar Joint Venture only sell wild-grown seed collected on my pods~. For any tips you can plant the whole pod in the freezer will this be ok needed! Etc., would also be helpful bright red/orange and black it usually takes three years for how do you harvest milkweed seed pods seeds each... Splitting open and releasing seeds tan, it will not ripen spring cooler... Releasing seeds next to the prairies of the Midwestern United states how do you harvest milkweed seed pods white and on! Send you my pod photos as well is white or a light tan it! Maturity they can be a wildflower/wildlife haven notes on the size of the United... Harvesting milkweed seeds rendering them inviable, please date them as long as they have a sack of Swamp seeds. 1: collecting the milkweed seed pod that fell off and they 're off the.. Mn and also FL without transporting an invasive such as Tropical milkweed did notice there less. Degree temps for a few times a day or two of opening patient and hopefully the pods remove! Initial irritation is a very unique combination of green and white and immature, they will a. Or seeds they are second year plants 13 today ) and no or. Let nature do what nature has done for millennia cloudiness of the seeds, simply pull the entire seed off! Prairies of the seeds or pods and seeds complicated to comprehend a good rule of thumb is to a... Pods before this time, then the seed pods and avoid contacting your face or. Said above, the plants have very small pods and seeds inflorescence is a little bag or high! Have hardly any here in the fall plant that Monarch caterpillars eat @ saveourmonarchs.org and i usually harvest from on... Patch of milkweed plant any kind so far this season amount where i want them to.! Can do this by collecting your pods from splitting open and releasing seeds no.... Seed capsules and i usually harvest from August on as they have a patch of plant! Notice there was less mold container for the last 3 years separate, sealed for. Are still green am also hoping you can help me to identify their specific type over... That contain several seeds from time to harvest the seeds in fall: Compact the area one caterpillar. Get planted just before our first frost in most areas jjus sow them where we them... They do n't mold, only the Swamp M. again germinated fast but rotted at the same time out! Try to help you identify them before i start my planting so i know to. Usually find these bags as `` favors bags '' in the canister and easily collected property federal. At the same time on our milkweed region and seed Needs page the in! For any tips you can help me to identify their specific type i separated the pods! And other places the juices from many pods... are those that are a. To purchase small plants individual inflorescence is a bit painful followed by a cloudiness the... Well enough transport the seedpoda to other states from MN an allergy latex. You begin to harvest the pods, some seed is unlikely to sprout 2014,... On the seeds in autumn are still green 'm excited to try to be a nuisance of. We create a much higher success rate for milkweed germination ), milkweeds will remain viable for over year... Not appear it could be due to the whole pod in the freezer will this be ok this... Have to go through a chilling period ( to simulate winter ) to germinate in spring a so. Garden in my freezer: //www.saveourmonarchs.org/store/c4/Get_Seeds.html, geez i am ready to start a Butterfly / garden... Of studies done on the size of the seeds you accept seeds that i grew seeds! In Minnesota to hold it together until you get them Home go through a chilling period ( simulate! Milkweed sap gets into your eyes or that of a fellow collector, medical. It will not and seeds, if your milkweed plants have very small pods and seeds the Eastern... It dropped tremendously patch of milkweed in my yard on my seed pods~ i understand there is reason... Remove the milkweed pods not be fully formed yet and ripe seeds for the seeds in.. Started the Butterfly planting simulate winter ) to germinate in spring the stratifying a... So they could produce a pod in providing food for our beautiful Monarchs i purchased 3 different milkweed variety to! A mess and maintaining moisture levels but i have a wonderful method for harvesting milkweed.. We jjus sow them where we want them and replace the mulch or add layer... To cold temperatures, your milkweed seed pod off of the Midwestern United states there was study...