The plants were going to be cut immediately anyways, to get that out of the way.
What should I do now? I assume the seeds aren't "ready" as the pods aren't opening up on their own yet. Having said that, the seeds look alright to me. What's the most effective way for me to turn these into live, viable milkweed plants?
by 7ustin
13 Comments
When they are close, if they are close, in my experiences, they will pop open as if they were still attached to the plant. I’d wait for them and then winter sow in a few months
I’d put them in a single layer somewhere dry with decent airflow so they don’t mold and let them dry out completely before trying to do anything else with them. It’s what I’ve done when collecting Funastrum spp. pods.
Place them in a paper bag for overwinter storage so they don’t mold. I store in an unheated garden shed which provides sufficient stratification for successful germination.
Let the pods dry until they split when you apply slight pressure. Grab the top of the fluff and hold firmly while stroking the seeds off of the fluff. The seeds should be brown. If they are pale, they are not likely viable.
You might have a lower germination rate if the seeds were harvested immaturely but I bet you’ll have some success. EDIT- letting the pods ripen as others suggested is probably a good idea
At this point they’ll need cold moist stratification to germinate (Google that term if your aren’t familiar).
If you want the easy route you can take the seeds out of the pods and plant them in a garden bed where you want them. Nature will take care of the rest.
If you don’t want them planted directly into the ground you’ll have to do the stratification process yourself through one of the various methods out there. I think milkweed only takes about a month so theres no rush. If you plan to store the seeds through the winter you can leave the seeds spread out in a dry space and allow them to dry out before storing them in a container (this helps to prevent mold growth while they’re being stored)
This may be helpful
https://growitbuildit.com/seed-stratification-illustrated-guide/
I stumbled across an interesting way to “plant” extra milkweed around the community last year. Wait until the seed pod dries and starts to split. Then stick it on your car dashboard next to the window. Roll your window down in a good area with friendly ditches+ and the wind from your passage will lift the seeds. The area will get a good dispersal. Just make sure you don’t have other drivers around you that will freak out!
If there is ever a concern about the maturity of the seed one is harvesting, and in this case the seedpod, part of the stem must also be taken with it, so that the green of the stem then continues to support the maturity of the seed(pod.)
I can’t find pods in my area the plants didn’t grow any
Chuck them as is into areas you want milkweed to grow, ditches, stream banks, wild areas…
Once they’re dry hold them out the window of your car when out and about.
They look like lil fish
Take 1 pod of dark brown mature seeds. Winter sow them in January or February in milk jugs or, if you are lazy like me, use large plastic yogurt containers with a few slits or holes cut in the bottom (cover the top with screening or mesh). Put half the seeds in moist paper towels folded in a zip lock bag in the back of the fridge as back up. Sow these seeds in mid April, leave outdoors with screenjng/mesh on top until they start to grow. Germination rate: 90% (pot up in 4″ pots in early summer)
Take the rest of the seeds and sprinkle where ever you want milkweed to grow. Sprinkle on bare ground and press in with your boot for good contact. Cover with leaves. You can use your foot to scrape away the leaves to find bare ground. Be warned, they will eventually spread by rhizomes and seeds. Do not plant on a small urban/suburban lot unless you know what you are in for. Don’t spread seed next to property lines unless you really don’t like your neighbours. Get swamp (rose?) milkweed or butterfly milkweed seeds instead for your home garden. Still want to spread common milkweed seeds? Pick a sunny spot and let loose. Germination rate: 4% if lucky
Give most of the seed away to native plant groups, schools, friends and neighbours. Warn them they will spread. Chose the location wisely.
I spread my seed on either side of my driveway. The entire length of the driveway. Big mistake. I had to remove all of them. I only grow swamp milkweed and butterfly milkweed at home now.
Here’s a fun thing to do: after the pods are dry and the fluff+seeds is in a pile, set it on fire! I’m not kidding–the fluff burns in an instant, the fire goes out, and you’re left with a pile of seeds. So much fun.