Author Topic: Milkweed And Pollination question (Read 24485 times)

riverbee · « **Reply #20 on:** August 24, 2014, 08:41:43 pm »

nice pix barry!

milkweed, there are native and non native species of it, i don't know that deer really bother it, certain species will grow in drier soil, i think the common milkweed is what we have. it can be invasive BUT where we see it grow is not invasive, very dry soil, so it is not taking over much of anything else and other plants are not competing with it. jen you can collect the seeds from this and plant. ours doesn't need much water, it seems to do well in my fields regardless of rain, and we don't water the fields. any butterfly or bees will benefit from milkweed.

Jen · « **Reply #21 on:** August 24, 2014, 09:12:47 pm »

Thanks Riv- The drought here doesn't seem to hinder the milkweed in our area. Hubby collected a bunch of seeds for me last year, so I'll put them out this Fall. Thanks!

riverbee · « **Reply #22 on:** August 24, 2014, 10:32:49 pm »

jen, how did you store your seeds?

Jen · « **Reply #23 on:** August 24, 2014, 10:35:04 pm »

In a plastic zippie in the garage all winter. the silk is falling off of the seeds

barry42001 · « **Reply #24 on:** August 25, 2014, 12:33:01 am »

I water to promote faster germination, and seedling growth. Had 35 mature plants, with hundreds of seedlings, in month...plants reduced to stalks, and chewed down seedlings. All I did was wait until seed pods split open a bit, I simply scraped out seeds on to the ground, heavily watered. Within a week seedlings started showing.

Jen · « **Reply #25 on:** August 25, 2014, 12:41:15 am »

and then do you continue to water for a while?

barry42001 · « **Reply #26 on:** August 25, 2014, 12:50:29 am »

I would until they get better established. Once they're established you don't have to do much with them at all lol they grow like weeds

Jen · « **Reply #27 on:** August 25, 2014, 12:55:20 am »

Okay, I'll put some over the fence on the bank, then maybe a barrel of them inside the fence. Thanks!

Bakersdozen · « **Reply #28 on:** August 25, 2014, 10:01:31 am »

Jen I emailed my local beeclub's honey plant officer. She says her bees work common milkweed, but she's not sure about the amount of nectar or the quality. She didn't have an answer about deer eating milkweed. I am with everyone else regarding the sap being toxic. So, for what it's worth... $:-\$

riverbee · « **Reply #29 on:** August 25, 2014, 11:19:19 am »

couple articles on common milkweed, some good info and describes the toxins:

USDA Plant Guide Common Milkweed

Common Milkweed

Bakersdozen · « **Reply #30 on:** August 25, 2014, 01:12:12 pm »

Quote from: barry42001 on August 24, 2014, 05:18:02 pm

Bottom pic, just hatched out of pupa case

This looks like the tropical milkweed that is an annual in my part of the country. It is gorgeous planted in mass.

barry42001 · « **Reply #31 on:** August 25, 2014, 01:17:14 pm »

Mexican milkweed

ShepherdsWatchFarm · « **Reply #32 on:** August 25, 2014, 02:37:44 pm »

Bees love the milkweed.

riverbee · « **Reply #33 on:** August 25, 2014, 10:09:33 pm »

great pic ed!

CpnObvious · « **Reply #34 on:** August 27, 2014, 02:28:46 pm »

Only on a bee forum will you find folks talk about PLANTING milkweed and dandelions: http://www.worldwidebeekeeping.com/forum/index.php/topic,1635

I have to, somewhat, disagree with the toxic statements. Yes, as a raw plant, milkweed is/can be toxic. However, it can be cooked and consumed:

http://foragersharvest.com/milkweed-a-truly-remarkable-wild-vegetable/

http://www.eattheweeds.com/asclepias-some-like-it-hot-some-like-it-cold-2/

riverbee · « **Reply #35 on:** August 27, 2014, 10:12:20 pm »

"Only on a bee forum will you find folks talk about PLANTING milkweed and dandelions: http://www.worldwidebeekeeping.com/forum/index.php/topic,1635 "

pretty much, if it's good for the bees we will plant it or let it grow !

barry42001 · « **Reply #36 on:** August 27, 2014, 10:28:02 pm »

CpnObvious, understand your statement, last time I checked deer don't use a stove or campfire much, as for eating it myself, don't think so not when am cultivating something bit better.

riverbee · « **Reply #37 on:** August 27, 2014, 11:48:23 pm »

what..... a better edible milkweed plant barry?.........okay nevermind..........

capn, i don't know much about the toxicity of the plant other than the toxicity with regards to insects and the medicinal qualities used in generations past by whomever. i don't know that deer eat it or bother it. the deer are too busy nibbling on my garden veggies.....and other perennial plants.

i do know from observation all sorts of butterflies and bees benefit from milkweed plants, including native bees, bumbles, including yellow jackets, but more so, the monarch butterfly benefits from this plant more than any other insect.

i am not sure i would be one to try to prepare it to consume it....i kinda like watchin it grow in the fields......

Jen · « **Reply #38 on:** August 27, 2014, 11:57:53 pm »

That's more what I was wondering about. It didn't occur to me to consume it myself. I was wondering if I planted it out on our bank outside of our back yard.. if the deer would eat it before the Monarch would find it.. and if the bloom would be good bee food for my bees. Thanks Riv

Gypsi · « **Reply #39 on:** August 28, 2014, 02:51:08 pm »

I hope Walt B checks in. I bought milkweed starts from a monarch rescue organization in spring 2013, never saw any larva, although in later summer and fall I did see a few monarchs on my blue mist flower. I hoped that like wild white glue sap milkweed this tuberosa variety was perennial in Texas, it doesn't seem to be. What I need to know, since I got a couple of silky pods from wild milkweed, is whether the monarchs like to eat it too? Because it puts down a deep tuberous root and is pretty drought hardy.

So Walt, where are you?

Author Topic: Milkweed And Pollination question (Read 24485 times)

Gypsi