Monarch caterpillars!

[desertanimal]

So leafmite, here's the deal. The one place that sells native plants is closed for the season. They're closed for a long time in winter. I know they sell milkweed that should overwinter in the ground, but that's not what I'm going to grow. I'm going to want to stick something in a bucket as soon as it's warm enough to keep outside and want it to grow to edible size by the time the butterflies/caterpillars need food. I've read that several species of milkweed are slow-growing. Do you have any ideas for me before they open (and when they open for the season isn't on their website)?


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[Leafmite]

It comes up from the ground every year so when you buy it this spring, it will be small but, by the time the monarchs arrive, it will be mature and in bloom. It spreads by both seed and root. You can winter your potted form over in a cold but protected place and it will grow every year.
Mine always gets a late start (compared to many of the other perennials) but once it gets started it grows quickly. Does this help?

[desertanimal]

It does! Thank you! I have always been loathe to buy tiny plants because I notice that when I try to do that with other garden plants, they just don't get big enough before the season is over. I will give it a go this year with as many types of milkweed as i can find, and I'll also try to find a nectar plant for adults of the 4th generation as they (few as they are, now) pass back through.



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[Tindomul]

Great save. I've heard that all those tropical milkweeds people are growing in the south are disrupting their migration patterns. Why leave if there is plenty of food right?
THen again, with the way things are going for them, the ones stick around all winter in Florida and Texas maybe all that is left of them.

Camille, you guys over there have a different subspecies right?

[DeafOrchidLover]

Originally Posted by Subrosa

For those who are interested in planting with Monarchs in mind an often overlooked consideration is plants which provide a nectar source for adults. I strongly recommend a marginal plant sold for pond called Water Snowball, Gymnocoronis spilanthoides. We grow and sell it at work, and every single Monarch I saw last year was on those plants!

Thank you for addiontal Information.


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[DeafOrchidLover]

Originally Posted by Tindomul

Great save. I've heard that all those tropical milkweeds people are growing in the south are disrupting their migration patterns. Why leave if there is plenty of food right?

THen again, with the way things are going for them, the ones stick around all winter in Florida and Texas maybe all that is left of them.



Camille, you guys over there have a different subspecies right?

I also remember living in Newburgh, Maine as it was my childhood memories. They do have milkweed, very fat and flowers. I'm sure it's everywhere in United States but I've noticed that they do like humid, I'm not so sure.


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[Subrosa]

If you have access to a place that sells pond plants, Asclepias curassavica is a commonly sold sub-tropical species of milkweed that is usually available as mature plants. You would have to wait until the threat of frost is past before putting it out.

[DeafOrchidLover]

I just remember, I did videotape of two butterfly mating.. Oh my! Very close range, didn't seem scared at all.. Like one foot and half away. About 2 feet above. I do and do enjoy seeing that videotape. Over and over. It's not bcz of mating, it's monarch butterfly, the color and it's wings so beautiful... I did videotape with my iPhone 4 and it doesn't look that great on my iPad mini. Pflt. I got like at least 10 eggs. [ATTACH]109753. Here is the picture. Hope you guys can see this.
I have thoughts of selling them as monarch caterpillars but my problems so that. Will those caterpillars be safe as on the way to it's butterfly journey..... Oh well! How much do they selling monarch caterpillars? I saw few websites that sells all variety. One is 2 bucks for each any size. Other is like if you buy more than 5 you will be paying 75 cents each caterpillars. Lastly, it is set of 3 for $10.50 cents. I don't know if they will provide a small tank or something . I'm still searching online about monarch caterpillars pricing and butterfly cocoon pricing. Oh well!
I just saw monarch are breeding. Must be a spring season. Looks like they aren't that many left. I just found some leaves yesterday,
Have a good day and good night!
DeafOrchidLover aka Karen


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[RJSquirrel]

get some butterfly weed seeds and then you can have some butterfly weed flowers next time for them



we had or have one who grows swallowtail butterflies in his apartment. he had little black turds hanging all over his place

[DeafOrchidLover]

Originally Posted by RJSquirrel

get some butterfly weed seeds and then you can have some butterfly weed flowers next time for them







we had or have one who grows swallowtail butterflies in his apartment. he had little black turds hanging all over his place

Thank you very much...


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