Will someone give me advice on harvesting milkweed seeds? Hundreds of the plants grow in a field next to my house & every time they bloom, the farmer mows the field. I found one plant that is forming pods. If it survives until the seeds are ready, can I harvest them? If so, what should I do with them until next spring? Or should I plant them right away? I hope to have some for the butterflies next year.

Thanks!

I don't know much about harvesting them but I would plant the seeds this fall, they need a little chilling to break the seed coat.

I haven't seen milkweed since I was very young. We would use the dried seed pods for creches at Christmas.

I always propagate from the wild by root division, I find it easiest. Too, I've sometimes just pulled them and cut off the tops to the soil line on the stem, early September, and put them immediately in a good humusy sunny spot, they take off just fine the following Spring. They want sun sun sun, btw.

here's a site, plus if you google "harvesting milkweed seeds" you'll get quite a lot.

http://www.monarchwatch.org/milkweed/prop.htm

Thank you, all! I think I'll go dig up the plant. It makes me so sad to see them all cut down in full bloom. And the flowers are so fragrant! I hope I can save this one. Thanks, again!

Good for you for saving it - good for butterflies as well, check out the above site when you have time. Once it's planted put some leaves and grass clippings at its base, about 1 1/2" thick, for nutrients and for winter insulation and frost-heave protection.

B-)

Last fall we took the seeds from the pods and just let the wind scatter them. The ditch is full of plants now and they are in the shade all morning. Doing quite well.