Viewing post #474232 by KentPfeiffer

Natalie said:

Kent, this is my first year having this plant, since it was already growing here when we bought the property. I still have no idea of how to tell when the pods are close to ready. I really did expect many of them to open around the same time, but some are still rather hard. Not that I'd really know what "almost ready" looks or feels like anyway, but they aren't soft when I squeeze them. I had to make a couple of trips out of state, and the ones that I picked were wide open when I got home.

I know what you are talking about, with the rib. I did try pulling that out, but it was very brittle, and none of the fluff was stuck to it. I made a rather spectacular mess in doing so, and those seeds went floating everywhere! I will try again though, by picking what I think are some pods that may be close to opening. It's so hard to tell on a plant you have never seen before, but I'll give it a try! With the others that I've already picked, I'll try Jonna's method.

Thanks to you all for the help!

While a pod is still on the plant, you can grab it with both hands such that your thumbs are lined up parallel to, and on either side of, the seam where the pod will eventually split open. If the pod is almost ripe, just a bit of outward pressure with each thumb will be enough to cause that seam to open up. You'll then be able to see the seeds inside. If they are brown, they are ready to pick. If they are white, they need a few more days but will most likely go ahead and mature if you leave the pod on the plant (even with the seam opened).

The rib gets brittle after the pods have been open a day or so, but it is strong and flexible prior to that, and the seeds are attached to it quite well. That's part of why it's best to pick milkweed seeds before they open up on their own.