When does Milkweed begin to set seed? How can I tell if mine will or not? Are there signs?
I know this is random questions, but Im interested in collecting and growing my own from seed.
Newbie Question About Milkweed
After it flowers it will start making the seed pods; takes quite some time. Don't take them off of your plant until they turn yellowish. They will split open like a bean, so if you want to save the seeds, cut it before it bursts open. Put them in a brown paper sack for a couple of weeks then shake it really well and the seeds will drop to the bottom and all the fluff can float away. Open it outside of course!
I love when the milkweeds set seed pods. Next thing you know they pop open and those seeds blow all around the neighborhood on those silk wings.
Here is a picture of one seed pod open but not dispursed, and seeds from another. Frostweed showed me once that if you hold the tip of the seed pod tightly with one hand (right side in pic) you can run your finger down the opening and detach the seeds without causing the fluff to fly. It works too!
http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/showimage/132511/
are milkweed seed pods like the seed pods from an oleander? i have 2 oleanders that have been in my yard for years and never had seed pods--but last year i planted a new one and it has seed pods--is it a male/female type plant?
Can't give you any info on Oleanders Linda. I have one but haven't seen any pods on it.