Butterfly weed (milkweed) pods

I have recently purchased two butterfly weed plants. One is full of seed pods and the other has none. I am wondering what to do with the pods. I have read someone talking about getting the pods off for seed. When do you take them off? Right now they are all pretty green. And what do you do with the pods once you take them off? Do you dry them out, replant them or what. Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Leslie

I had this same question and someone told me to wrap tulle fabric (netting) around the pods while still on the plant. I asked that question none too soon. Today, some of the pods opened that I didn't have covered, were flying all over the place. I harvested some that had just broken out and had not started to fly away. They have a little fluff umbrella attached to them. If you don't have tulle, use a torn piece of pantyhose making a little pouch and secure with a twist tie. I check the pods every day now since they are ripening.

To answer your questions, Don't take the pods off. Let them open while on the plant. Cover the pods now with netting to catch them when the pod opens.

If you let them open on they're own, just package and label them. Make sure it hasn't rained on them since you want the seeds to be dry when you put them in an envelop. You can then store them in a sealed container in the refridgerator. You may want to sow some now too. You've got time to grow new plants.

I may be talking a little over my head about the planting now tip. I know you can with tropical MW A. curassavica. The other kinds may need a cold period first. Maybe someone with more experience will respond to you as well. I'd like more information about first season seeds too.

Hope this helps a little bit anyway.

Deborah

Deborah - I think you covered the milkweed seed collecting pretty accurate. Great idea about using pantyhose! I never would've thought of that. I guess I need to stock up on knee-hi hosiery from the dollar store! :-)

LostinTexas - The seed pods will get darker (brown colored) the closer they are to ripening. And Deborah is right ..... the pods pop open and out float all the seeds on white fluffy umbrellas! lol

Gosh Becky, knee highs would just fit over the gathered-up pods like a glove. That's a much better than trying to cut up pantyhose. Which I try not wear unless there's a gun to my head.

Knee highs, great idea. My pods are still green but I am glad you started this Leslie before the umbrellas took off.
I always have the dollar store knee highs around, cause that is what I put my spices in when I am making sauce and stews. It makes it alot easier to take them out when the pot is done.

chris

There's another good use for them instead of cording your calves! Thanks, Chris. You can cook with them. Who'd ever thought.
I'm getting my knee hi's out of the drawer and heading to the milkweed patch.

Thanks for the great answer Deborah. A couple of my pods had already opened because they are light brown and empty but I have a bunch more on the plant. I think the knee high idea is great also. I will be heading out today to get some. Thanks everyone so much for the help. I am so new at this I have to ask questions about everything. You guys are great.

Leslie

Knee highs sure do make it easier to find the bay leaves, garlic, etc. in the red sauce. Peppercorns, rosemary sticks, and other things that the kids dont like to "feel" in their food.

Great point lcf. Those things are great for a lot of things. Thanks.