Free wind checkers in full bloom

[bmac]

That time of year again and harvesting them in their prime.




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[Smart]

Originally Posted by bmac

That time of year again and harvesting them in their prime.

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Low Fence/Kyle sent me some of these the other day and I'm sold. Much better than watching the dust fall/disappear in front of your face...

[Quackerbox]

Originally Posted by Smart

Low Fence/Kyle sent me some of these the other day and I'm sold. Much better than watching the dust fall/disappear in front of your face...

It's ok, you don't east texas



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[Snowflake Killa]

Originally Posted by bmac

That time of year again and harvesting them in their prime.




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Where do these grow at ? I don't believe I've seen them around here

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[Smart]

Originally Posted by Quackerbox

It's ok, you don't east texas



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Thankfully. He kept telling me about them to help me with my pigs in a swirling area. I said, I'll try anything once and did..

[Gumbo Man]

It looks like one pod will go along way from what I’m seeing.

[Gerald G]

We have those here but I keep a cotton ball or two with me and you can pull off a very small piece and do the same thing. Plus the cotton is easier to find.

[bmac]

They are milkweed pods. I have a bunch starting to split in the yard so grabbed a few that will last me a season. The puff will float and really let you know wind and thermals movements. Sometimes you can watch them move how you think the wind is going just to find out it swirls and goes in the wrong direction for your set.


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[Gumbo Man]

Originally Posted by Gerald G

We have those here but I keep a cotton ball or two with me and you can pull off a very small piece and do the same thing. Plus the cotton is easier to find.

I always thought that would work.

[Quackerbox]

In the right spot they will drift till you cant see them anymore

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[Arrowsmith]

I am covered up with milkweed up here. Ours has not podded up yet. You can drop one out of the tree stand and it will follow the thermals until it's out of sight if it doesn't get caught on something. Here is some from last year in a jar I keep in my shop.

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[Solo7]

I need to keep my eyes peeled for some.

[Looney Tatonka]

Do you pinch off the seed?

[Beargrasstx]

The Hunting Public and The Hunting Beast kinda made using these pretty popular in the hunting public land world. I would like some if you have any left

[hunter68]

Guess I haven’t seen them in the panhandle. Where can I find some??

[LivinADream]

I live in southeast tx, and I'm sure it grows here but I've never seen it. I ordered some off of eBay a couple of years ago and it should last me a lifetime. Think I bought 8 pods for $10 and it's a ton.

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[Razorback01]

Dried cattail also works well, once dry, pull it apart and pack in old pill bottle.

[Low Fence]

I’m covered again in ditches. Still too green for the most part. I’ve been using a few years and have a good method for collecting and storage. I’ve got 3 life times stored now. Lol

Compared to a cotton ball is like the latest and greatest flashlight vs. a 3 wick candle… not even close

[Graysonhogs]

Originally Posted by Gerald G

We have those here but I keep a cotton ball or two with me and you can pull off a very small piece and do the same thing. Plus the cotton is easier to find.

But not nearly as cool.

[Low Fence]

Last year’s harvest

[SaltwaterSlick]

I know I've seen these growing before, but for the life of me, can't remember where... You East Texas guys, got any tips as to where and what to look for? Do they grow in the heavy woods, in open fields, borders, or what?
Thanks!

[Calitexembalmer]

They work great.

[muzzlebrake]

And where ever they land they will sprout and make food for Monarch Butterfly caterpillars.

[muzzlebrake]

https://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/po...kweed%20leaves.

[wytex]

Our milkweed have just sprouted, lol.
We have a ton that grows along our sidewalk and I will have a bunch of pods end of summer if anyone wants me to send some down for distribution amongst yourselves.

[Dale Moser]

Originally Posted by SaltwaterSlick

I know I've seen these growing before, but for the life of me, can't remember where... You East Texas guys, got any tips as to where and what to look for? Do they grow in the heavy woods, in open fields, borders, or what?
Thanks!

Open fields that don't/rarely get mowed. Not uncommon to see them in the uncut edges of coastal fields, usually in full sun. I've got some in my pasture I mowed around the other day, I need to go see if it's ripe.

[bboswell]

Originally Posted by Low Fence

I have a good method for collecting and storage.

so are you going to elaborate?

[Quackerbox]

Originally Posted by bboswell

so are you going to elaborate?

I just snap off and let dry in sun. I had some old film canisters I store in

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[Low Fence]

When you see some busting open… leave them they make a mess lol. Pick all the green pods you want. Store in a full sun location till dry, check daily. It happens fast. Store where wind won’t blow away. When dried out brown, pull open and remove “fluff”. Place in empty DRY and clean water bottle. Seeds will mostly settle to bottom. Store in cool dry place refill whatever device to use as needed. I use one made by lone wolf. And milk sample tubes (… cause I got a few). The plastic tubes you get M&M’ in the checkout lane work great too. Someone makes a pouch you can just pull through. Might be THP not sure

[SaltwaterSlick]

Originally Posted by Dale Moser

Open fields that don't/rarely get mowed. Not uncommon to see them in the uncut edges of coastal fields, usually in full sun. I've got some in my pasture I mowed around the other day, I need to go see if it's ripe.

I'm gonna go take a ride around my pasture... It was so wet last winter, I did not get to mow and so far this summer have not mowed... I got plenty thistle and other weeds, so maybe I have some of these suckers too!!
Thanks Dale.

[Passthrough]

Best wind checker there is! Mother Nature provides!

[Beargrasstx]

I will pay for shipping if someone would mail me a pod if they have extra.

[Mountaineer]

Originally Posted by Beargrasstx

I will pay for shipping if someone would mail me a pod if they have extra.

I'll grab some next time I'm at my place. Saw some pods last week, but haven't split yet. I have tons of milkweed every year (and monarchs). A copenhagen can is what I use to hold mine in my hunting packs and one can will last for a season or two.

[Beargrasstx]

Thank you, just send me a pm when you are ready and I can oay you through pay pal, venmo, or zelle

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[AgHntr10]

Is this the right plant?

[Snowflake Killa]

Originally Posted by SaltwaterSlick

I'm gonna go take a ride around my pasture... It was so wet last winter, I did not get to mow and so far this summer have not mowed... I got plenty thistle and other weeds, so maybe I have some of these suckers too!!
Thanks Dale.

As fast as you drive you will never see them im on the lookout to. Might just need to order some

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[SaltwaterSlick]

Originally Posted by Snowflake Killa

As fast as you drive you will never see them im on the lookout to. Might just need to order some

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HEY!! Don't know what cha talkin' 'bout... I drive like the old grandpa that I am!!

[IkemanTX]

I am a milkweed addict.

Every patch I find during the summer gets a few pods picked off of it.

I toss the green pods in a big paper sack and fold the top over to contain them. The pods pop open as they finish drying in the bag. A few weeks before season, i shake the bag to pop all the seeds off and get the fluff out of the pod, and then I use a cheap little dust devil vacuum to vacuum up all the fluff and leave the seeds behind. I can easily harvest 3 years worth in about 10 minutes of work.

This is it in bloom before the pods form.



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[IkemanTX]

Originally Posted by AgHntr10

Is this the right plant?

No,
That looks like it is a member of the Cichoriodeae family (chicory, dandelions, etc…)
I posted a pic of the live plant in bloom above this post for reference.

Here is another type called “showy milkweed” or “butterfly milkweed” this variety is MUCH less common than the antelope horn species I posted above.



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[Snowflake Killa]

Originally Posted by AgHntr10

Is this the right plant?

We just need to order some from Kyle

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[huntingfanatic]

These things are all over my pasture. Just came through and picked about 20 pods in 2 minutes. Lots of them have already busted open on the plant

[Mountaineer]

Plenty of milkweed in my fields. A bucket full took about 15 minutes to pick






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[DUKFVR]

Dang, didn't know you could pick it green. Hopefully the ones at the ranch will still be there in a week or so.

[Low Fence]

Green just before it splits is best and just let it dry on its own. Too green and the “fluff” won’t develop. Typically if your seeing some split though it’s ready to pick

[Solo7]

Y, keeping my eyes open as well.

[BradBryant1000]

I guess I've been living under a rock. Didn't know you could use these for wind direction. I've got some growing in a pasture I lease. I'll be getting them asap.

[SaltwaterSlick]

I've driven my pasture and have not found any growing, even drove the fencelines and scanned my neighbor's pastures too... If I find some along any of the county roads around me, I'll be makin' a quick stop... Won't be long and the county will start mowing the ditches for the Winter season...