Stronger than steel

[Fishslime]

I am clearing some of my milkweed patches - using a weed wacker- the fiber that comes from the milkweed stalk is amazingly strong-had to cut it out of the wacker a lot - as research is going on for hemp, cotton, and other fibers -wondering if the milkweed is being studied - it would be great if it proved to be a good strong soft fiber that could be used commercially and raised all over the country by our farmers -

[Mona Miller]

I put "milkweed, fibers, research" into Google this is only a few of the hits.

http://www.wiu.edu/AltCrops/milkweed.htm
Western Illinois University Research on the use of Milkweed (including fibers)

http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/proc ... 2-422.html
The Milkweed Business

http://www.buymilkweed.com/
Natural Fibers Corporation is committed to developing a profitable agricultural business based on milkweed.

[sbannister]

As to farmers growing milkweed, it's bad news for the caterpillars and eggs when harvest time comes around. Of course, if they are grown commercially for fiber, they would probably be treated with pesticides and not have any caterpillars to begin with.

[Mona Miller]

I emailed Natural Fibers Corporation and asked if they use pesticides on their milkweeds. For reference, I have posted their website: http://www.buymilkweed.com/index.htm

[Mona Miller]

Natural Fibers got back to me. They do not use pesticide in their milkweed production.

[Mona Miller]

Milkweed down is being combined with down (bird) to fill comforters.

http://www.allergybuyersclub.com/comforter.html
Scroll down to find information.

[Paul Cherubini]

I stopped at the Natural Fibers retail store and purchased one of their "milkweed down" pillows one year while traveling through Ogallala, Nebraska. The pillow was very comfy and durable with the high "loft" characteristics of regular goose down pillows and jackets.