Southern milkweed substitute

[WMA hunter]

We don't seem to have milkweed like what grows in Michigan or in the Midwest. I am gathering different types of air distributed seeds to try this season. Does anyone have a recommendation for a substitute that would be available for an Alabama hunter?

[Buckshot20]

Thistle, cattail,cottonballs, dandelion will all work. Not quite as good as milkweed though

[<DK>]

Thistle, cattail,cottonballs, dandelion will all work. Not quite as good as milkweed though

Yep. Btw if anyone lives around JoeRE, he requested a thistle sample. You can just leave it in his front yard

[Tennhunter3]

5 milkweed pods lasted me about 9 hunts currently I'm using cotton balls.


Cotton balls work great just pull off very tiny little pieces.

Put in new container put in pine branches.

A week later they all smell like pine trees.

[BKMississippi]

I use this. Not even sure what it's called but it works for me.

[GoInLight]

I have some milkweed if you need some. I live in Shelby county Alabama. It's not a ton, but it might get you through the season.

[Fdept56]

I've found a weed that works in my area. I've looked and looked but can't find the name. This time of year it has milkweed type strands on it but smaller, in the summer it has little yellow flowers. Everywhere there is flowers it turns into the strands. It's a pretty tall weed that I've seen on the side of the road and fence lines.

[WMA hunter]

I have some milkweed if you need some. I live in Shelby county Alabama. It's not a ton, but it might get you through the season.

That's right up the road. I live in Sylacauga. I'm not trying to take your stash just making sure that I am not overlooking anything.

I have a few options on seeds to try and I didn't consider cotton but will try it to. Thanks for the help.

[JSnake]

I'm in metro Atlanta and haven't stumbled upon it growing wild in Georgia. HOWEVER - Asclepias Tuberosa or Butterfly (milk)weed is sold at some nurseries here. I bought some and planted it in my yard. Last August, I was able to get enough silks out of it to last me a couple years. If you trim it back, it comes right back next year. I was able to get more pods to dry this summer. It can be a little tough finding it in stock. I had to go a few places.

[brancher147]

Don't know if you have it in Alabama, we have plenty in WV, but American burnweed (Fireweed) (Erechtites hieraciifolius) would work well.

[Southern Buck]

5 milkweed pods lasted me about 9 hunts currently I'm using cotton balls.


Cotton balls work great just pull off very tiny little pieces.

Put in new container put in pine branches.

A week later they all smell like pine trees.

X2 on the cotton balls. Put 4 or 5 in a rubber coin purse and just pinch off pieces as thin as u can and still be able to see them.

[GoInLight]

I have some milkweed if you need some. I live in Shelby county Alabama. It's not a ton, but it might get you through the season.

That's right up the road. I live in Sylacauga. I'm not trying to take your stash just making sure that I am not overlooking anything.

I have a few options on seeds to try and I didn't consider cotton but will try it to. Thanks for the help.

Man I'm in Sylacauga all the time. I hunt near auburn so I drive right through there. Let me know, I'd love to help you if you need it.

[WMA hunter]

Awesome. I will try that with cotton. I wonder if it would grow well from seeds here.

[Boogieman1]

Cottonwood fluff works pretty good. Turns out I was allergic! Eyes watering and sneezing. Bubbles work well in post season if u run out of milkweed