The Monarch Butterfly population has been rejuvenated in recent years.One of the best ways to spread milkweed is to harvest it.Between the harvesting and planting of the seeds, it's important that they are stored appropriately.You will have to wait until next spring to try for a new crop if you store it wrong.
Step 1: To harvest, choose the appropriate Pods.
If you want a good harvest in the spring, you need to be careful which milkweed you pick.Ripe Pods are usually dry, gray or brown.If you have picked Pods that aren't fully developed, try to harvest them, but your overall result may be less due to a lower rate of success in your seeds growing.
Step 2: You can get the seeds from the milkweed.
Prepare to separate the seeds from the silk and the Pod after you've collected them from a particular area.The most rewarding and safest way to separate the seed from the pod is to do it by hand.If there are any seeds that seem warped, you can separate them from the rest.To open the Pod, hold it in two hands and put a thumb over it.You can get the seeds from the Pod if you open it more.
Step 3: If you want the process to be quicker, use the bag technique.
The bag technique can be used to separate the seed from the Pod.It's quicker to extract the seed by hand, but you may miss seeds in the process.The entire Pod should be put into a bag.Shake the bag hard to separate the seeds from the silk.Shake over the container with a small hole in the bottom of the bag.The seeds should fall free from the silk if they find their way to the bottom.
Step 4: The seeds need to be moist.
It's very likely that they took silk with them if you have seeds in a container.As many seeds may be hidden within the silk, this isn't necessarily a bad thing.If the silk is dry, spray it with water to make it manageable as you prepare for storage.
Step 5: The seeds should be dry overnight.
Put the seed in a cool area of your home.Before the next steps, it is important to make sure your seed is completely dry.There is a high chance of mold later in the process.A bowl overnight yields a similar result to the drying boxes used by large scale harvesters.
Step 6: Take your dry seed and put it in a container.
A small plastic box is usually enough, but basic paper bags, envelopes or even jars are also suitable if they are dry.You should label your container by the species of milkweed you intend to plant in the spring.
Step 7: Begin the chilling process.
Wait and put your container in a fridge in an area that is not used often.Milkweed seeds can grow in the spring if their outer shell is cracked by the cold winter weather.You can mimic this process by storing the seed in a cold area during the winter.It improves the chance of a successful harvest in the spring.The chance of the seeds growing into full milkweed plants is greatly increased by simulating this natural process.
Step 8: If you want to use a more natural method, plant in natural soil.
It is possible to chilling by planting seeds in the soil.Put your seed in a mesh bag and dig a hole around 2 to 4 inches deep.You can mark the spot where you buried it by covering it again in soil.You can put a plant pot filled with soil in a fridge if you prefer.The highest success rate can be achieved if the soil is of a high quality.
Step 9: If you want to make sure your seeds are safe, layer the seeds between the moist paper towels.
Another way to chill is to layer the seed between two paper towels and put it in a fridge.Although it is more likely to mold, this method reduces the chances of your seed being taken hold of.
Step 10: Apply the final touches to the seeds.
Take your seeds out of the bag and look at them.If the chilling has worked, but they haven't cracked, you may need to do some extra work to make sure they grow into healthy plants.Shake your seed vigorously for 30 seconds after putting it in a bag filled with sand or salt.The shells should be removed when you sort the seed.