Monarch WS#613 Monarch spotted all over

[Robert61]

Monarch sitings way up here in NW Ohio. I've spotted dozens along the roadways and counted over 80 eggs on Common MW at Terra Tech Community College's prairie, here in Fremont, Ohio. Also, my daughter in Columbus spotted "hundreds" in her hikes in that area. My brother in NW Pa., just south of Erie, Pa. has spotted "dozens upon dozens".

Also, like last year, I plan to give away my abundant Swamp Milkweed seed pods. If you want Swamp MW, visit the CREATE A WILDLIFE-FRIENDLY YARD site and contact me on the secure BPath Mail Form, at the top. So far this year, I've raised and released 67 Monarchs and only several had OE and Tachnid invasions. The OE virus must be way down, I hope. Has anyone else noticed much fewer OE cases? Robert
http://wildlifefriendlylawn.blogspot.com/

[Mona Miller]

Robert,

Monarch Watch will be collecting milkweed seeds of several different varieties. They'll announce soon where to send these. It is part of their Waystation Initiative. I'll post information as soon as it is sent out.

Everyone save milkweed seeds! No Milkweed, No Monarchs!

[ilsa]

Mona,

For how long can one keep milkweed seeds and still expect them to be viable? I still have some A. curassavica from last year that I'm not going to use this year. I'm hoping they'll sprout next year.

Ilsa

[Paul Cherubini]

The currassavica seed can be stored for several years. The germination rate will begin to go down after 3-4 years, but I've had some germinate after 7 years of storage.

[Mona Miller]

http://www.mymonarchguide.com/2007/07/w ... llect.html
Here's a bit about collecting seeds.

http://flowergardens.suite101.com/artic ... ower_seeds
"Patience! Seeds Must Be Mature
Wait until the seeds mature before you collect or harvest them. Avoid seeds that seem damp or soft or moldy or harbor insect pests.

Keep Seeds Dry
Work on a dry day after the dew has dried in the garden. It is very important to keep the seeds dry from now on. I like to knock them into a paper bag or paper envelope for easier handling. Label the seeds as you go. Allow them to air dry indoors at room temperature in a flat layer on a piece of paper for another week or so before storing.

How to Store the Seeds You Save
Store your seeds in a cool, dark, dry place. I have stored seeds successfully in paper or glassine envelopes at cool room temperature in the back of a desk drawer. But a more reliable place is to put the envelope of seeds inside a closed container such as a glass jar with tight fitting lid, or a zipper style plastic bag. Then put the jar or bag in the refrigerator where the temperature is cool and relatively constant. Seeds stored this way should remain viable for a year or two -- or even longer. See also How to Test Seed Viability.

Using A Dessicant
Some gardeners enclose a dessicant inside the jar along with the seeds to make doubly sure the seeds are dry. You could use a little packet of silica gel (such as those included in the package with new electronics or leather goods.) Or, make your own using a spoonful of dry milk powder wrapped in a piece of paper towel. This should absorb any excess moisture inside the jar.

CAUTION: Seeds Are Alive!
Seeds are living things, so treat them with care. Do not crush or damage them. Do not let your seeds freeze (or overheat) while in storage. Be sure they stay dry. If they become moist while in storage they may try to grow prematurely and then die. Although seeds can sometimes survive extended periods of storage, it is usually better to plant seed sooner than later because germination rates decrease over time.

Record Keeping for Seed Savers
Label each envelope or packet of seeds with the plant name and/or description, the date you collected the seed, and where the seed came from. You may want to keep a master list so you know specifically which seeds you have on hand and how long they have been stored. You could also record this information in your garden journal, if you have one. (See Keeping A Garden Journal.)"

[ilsa]

Great info. Thanks!

[Mona Miller]

I couldn't exactly remember what needs to be done to store. I usually store in brown paper bags and try to use the next year. That's not exactly the directions that every one needs--so I had to do a bit of searching to find the right directions.

[ilsa]

I put the whole pods in a paper bag, wait until they dry and explode, then cut off a lower corner of the bag and shake the seeds out into a small plastic food tub. Desiccant packs would be a good idea. I like the dry milk powder idea, too.

[Mona Miller]

I put some small rocks in the bag. I use a large paper bag, too. The rocks help break up the pods. I open the top as I'm shaking and the silk float up. So do some of the seeds, but most are in the bottom. I cut off the corner, just like you do and pour into a ziplock bag.

Chip says they have developed something to shake the seeds from the pods so all we have to do is collect pods and dry them. I'm pretty sure they wanted them dried before we ship them. Can you imagine the mildew from seed pods not thoroughly dried?

[Robert61]

Great Website on how to harvest and save MW seeds. Thanks Mona, Robert at CREATE A WILDLIFE FRIENDLY YARD :D
http://wildlifefriendlylawn.blogspot.com/