mullein hand drill

[typha]

Does anyone know the best time to gather mullein stems for hand-drills?
The plants are about six feet tall at the moment and the flowers are just starting to open,I was thinking about a months time before gathering them.
Any help would be most appreciated.

 

[JonnyP]

Does anyone know the best time to gather mullein stems for hand-drills?
The plants are about six feet tall at the moment and the flowers are just starting to open,I was thinking about a months time before gathering them.
Any help would be most appreciated.

I got mine in the late winter, not sure if its the best time, but the stems are fine, though I have not got an ember yet.........Perhaps you do need to gather them before they dry out ????????????

 

[Toddy]

Yesss! Where did you find mullien round here? Match said he'd found one patch out by Edinburgh but I've had no joy locally at all
There are a couple (hundred that is ) folks who enthuse about the stems so I presume they'll be along with info shortly

Cheers,
Toddy

 

[typha]

They are not that local I'm sorry to say , about an hour and a half drive away.

 

[Jeff Wagner]

Does anyone know the best time to gather mullein stems for hand-drills?
The plants are about six feet tall at the moment and the flowers are just starting to open,I was thinking about a months time before gathering them.
Any help would be most appreciated.

About September / October will be fine. I collect mine in the fall after the leaves turn brown. I am rather excited this season as I have just discovered a vacant lot near the highway that has hundreds of stalks growing. I have never seen such a concentration before. Should make for a great harvest.

 

[pothunter]

Not being great at identifying this sort of thing I have just had to look it up, for anyone else interested http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/m/mulgre63.html

 

[typha]

About September / October will be fine. I collect mine in the fall after the leaves turn brown. I am rather excited this season as I have just discovered a vacant lot near the highway that has hundreds of stalks growing. I have never seen such a concentration before. Should make for a great harvest.

Thankyou for the help Jeff I will keep an eye on them to see when the leaves turn brown.
It sounds as though you've discovered something a bit special at the vacant lot, I just hope it remains vacant till you've harvested the mullein.

 

[Jeff Wagner]

Thankyou for the help Jeff I will keep an eye on them to see when the leaves turn brown.
It sounds as though you've discovered something a bit special at the vacant lot, I just hope it remains vacant till you've harvested the mullein.

Yes, me too. However since the stalks appear in the second growth year it means the lot has been left alone for at least two years. So, I am hopeful but watching closely never the less. .