Milkweed Pods Crafts

Save some milkweed pods to craft into beautiful dahlias, birds, butterflies, fairies and more. Just start experimenting with paint, hot glue, florist wire and other natural materials. Then next fall, consider harvesting the pods before they open.

What can be made from milkweed?

Milkweed floss is used in such water-safety equipment as life jackets and belts and will float in water while supporting as much as 30 times its own weight. It is also used as upholstery padding and insulation material. Like similar seed flosses, it is sometimes known as vegetable silk.

Can you make anything with milkweed?

If you want to get more creative, you can make them into Milkweed Capers, which are a fun wild-harvested caper substitute that's really easy to make. Once the flower buds open, the fragrant milkweed flowers can be eaten just like any edible flower.

Is milkweed pod edible?

Milkweed pods are edible while they are still immature and edible. Mature pods vary in size by plant, but generally, under 1.5″ is a good size to start at.

Are milkweed pods good for anything?

Many indigenous tribes applied milkweed sap for wart removal and chewed its roots to treat dysentery. It was also used in salves and infusions to treat swelling, rashes, coughs, fevers and asthma. Milkweed was even added to dishes for flavor, or to thicken soups.

How much are milkweed pods worth?

These days, milkweed pods are worth about 55 cents a pound, and they are still collected by people toting onion bags through the North American countryside. The floss is harvested to help fill pillows, comforters and stuff into jackets. Milkweed floss is best used in combination with goose down.

How long to boil milkweed pods?

Bring to a boil, and boil the pods for 10 minutes. Drain the pods. Repeat the process once more.

How to fry milkweed pods?

Dip each milkweed pod into the batter to fully coat the pod. Set the battered pods aside and test the oil to see if it's hot enough. When a bit of batter starts to bubble and fry immediately on contact with the oil, you're good to go. Add 4-5 pods to the oil and let them cook until golden brown.

Can you cook milkweed pods?

Just like okra, milkweed pods love to be fried, and the preparation is really simple: take some roughly 1.5-2 inch pods, blanch them in boiling water for a couple minutes, drain well, cool, then soak in buttermilk or beaten egg. Sometimes we have them as an appetizer, sometimes as a side dish.

What part of the milkweed is poisonous?

Myth #4: Because milkweed is toxic, you shouldn't plant it The milky sap for which it gets its name leaks out from the stem or leaves. This sap contains toxins called cardiac glycosides or cardenolides, which are toxic to animals if consumed in large quantities.

Is dried milkweed poisonous?

Milkweeds remain toxic when dry, and therefore can be a problem when incorporated in hay.

Can you make clothes from milkweed?

“It is not related to cotton,” says Chip Taylor, founder of Monarch Watch, a citizen science initiative based at Kansas University, “Cotton is in an entirely different plant family.” And indeed, while the fibers of both plants both white and fluffy, milkweed just doesn't have what it takes to be made into pants.

When should you pick milkweed pods?

The perfect time to harvest the pods is when they are just starting to pop at the sutures and the seeds are brown.

Are milkweed seed pods poisonous?

Milkweed species in the genus Asclepias contain cardiac glycosides that are poisonous to humans, but they pose the most danger to grazing animals.

Can milkweed hurt humans?

Milkweed plants contain cardiac glycosides, which can cause nausea, diarrhea, weakness, and more when eaten. In severe cases, consuming Milkweed can be fatal for children. Even touching Milkweed plants can be a problem and may cause skin irritation.

Why is milkweed a problem?

Tropical milkweed becomes a problem when planted in temperate areas where it does not die back in winter. A protozoan parasite of monarch butterflies, Ophryocystis elektroscirrha or OE for short, can travel with monarchs visiting the plants and become deposited on leaves.

What animals eat milkweed pods?

Deer and rabbits have been reported to eat milkweed leaves, and there are many other insects that feed on milkweed such as milkweed bugs, tussock moths, queen butterfly larvae, and more. Nectar and pollen from milkweeds are important food sources for many pollinators, in addition to monarch butterflies.

What can I do with milkweed fluff?

In World War II, the buoyancy of milkweed fluff was put to the test when it was used in military life jackets instead of kapok. In addition, the fluff has excellent oil absorbing properties and can be used to soak up spilt crude oil while repelling water.

Can you sell milkweed pods?

Milkweed plant buyers are increasing daily. Buyers will be able to quickly find milkweed that you are selling and then go to your website to find information and make a milkweed plant purchase.

Who buys milkweed?

Ripe milkweed pods can be harvested and then sold at Depot Studios, Isle. Depot Studios is a collection point for Monarch Flyway, Ogallala, Neb.