At the time I didn’t know there was a controversy about it. They can sit for up to 24 hours before they molt…they usually eat their old skin afterwards. If you’re going to compare tropical to another milkweed, compare it properly. There are multiple types of milkweed monarchs use, but in this study we are focusing only on common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) because it is most available in our region. Hi Richard, check out this list to research top butterfly plants: Do you know what year this article was written in? Also, if having resources readily available disrupts migration, then why do the Monarchs ever bother coming back North, if they are surrounded by native tropical milkweed in Mexico? We tagged 200. We live in the Bay Area of California and launch 20-50 monarchs from our kitchen every year with only two or three that fail to thrive or fail to launch. Portable tropical milkweed has several advantages: 1. Was this because predators somehow knew they were more poisonous? The tropical are doing fantastic. I would cut back your milkweed after peak migration in your region, or if you have other late season nectar flowers you could cut back now. This will encourage it to produce new side sprouts. Wait we have seen science like that lots of times. “Milkweed hurting the monarchs” is just as wrong and confusing to people as using whorled milkweed as a supposed threat to horses and cattle to eradicate all milkweeds for all reasons. I looked at this so-called science about a year or so ago. so one think the question would actually be broached. Be responsible with information its misuse hurts us all. Here’s info about feeding with cuttings: Feeding Caterpillar with Milkweed Stem Cuttings. The article is titled Is Tropical Milkweed Killing Monarch Butterflies? Hi, I just discovered this topic, and have not had time to read all of the posts, so I hope I’m not being repetitive I have been planting many tropicals all around my house in NW Mo. Too many native-only gardeners are trying to push ultimatums that just aren’t necessary. but then….. When the caterpillars hatch, they feed on the leaves of milkweed. A patch of milkweed should consist of 6-10 mature plants for feeding hungry monarch caterpillars. Weekly but flexible. If they are removed, then we can not able to test their survival. I too last year had very late season caterpillars on my tropical milkweed, I found two in early December right before a storm was coming in so for the first time in the few months I had be growing milkweed and spotting Monarch caterpillars in the garden, I brought them inside. That’s the true threat to our bees, butterflies, and caterpillars. After reading the article you referenced and others, I came to the same conclusion you did. The Monarchs aren’t finishing their fall migration because viable milkweed is available year-round in the US. Hey, here’s a shout-out to Angie Luebben…….YOU GO GaLl!!! YES! I would occasionally see a Monarch but I did not get eggs or cats. They consider this to be good for the environment & are selfless gardeners. My question is can we get away with just thoroughly rinsing the stems and leaves under a strong cold spray of water from a shower-head spray, and “squeegeeing” each leaf between thumb and forefinger under running water — that should physically (not chemically) remove any OE spores, right? Native Purist is an insulting, derogatory term. When I saw that the winter months did not slow down any Monarch activity, I knew I needed more milkweed to meet their voracious demand. However, there needs to be research to discover whether there are migratory monarchs from your region, and how many. We are questioned about these types of things weekly by readers of unfinished ideas/ studies. From your information and others, I believe we should start to cut back the milkweed (or bring indoors) after that “initial fall migration” so that “late in the season egg laying” would not occur on our plant? They cut the milkweed veins to let the sap escape before chewing on a leaf. Non-native plants won’t support the ecosystem. It does not pose a threat in SW Ohio. Dead flower heads of goldenrods, asters, coneflower…supply food for seed eating birds during winter. Hi Julia, you can always stagger cuttings over time so that there’s always some milkweed available, but it all gets cut back eventually. Hi Debi, I appreciate you posting this. With a patch of common milkweed and pruning shears or string trimmer, you can help Michigan State University scientists learn if managing common milkweed for mid-summer regrowth is a reliable way to increase monarch egglaying and caterpillar survival. Check out this online resource and don’t hesitate to take and send us photos! When should I cut back my Asclepius curravassa? I would make a list of a few options that sound interesting and then talk to local gardeners or nurseries to see what works best for them. As of now I have 20 chrysalis and 20 caterpillars close to pupating. I also discovered using one of the round mesh laundry containers works great to put over a plant in the garden. I hadn’t visited in quite awhile so my last visit a couple years ago was a shock. Asclepias curassavica thrives as a potted plant. There is one research project which demonstrated smaller butterflies from A. curassavica: http://www.monarchlab.org/Lab/app/upload/pdf/testerkristina12TEAMpaper-1.pdf. This information is for educational purposes only. it will be interesting to hear what the naysayers say if their is a substantial population increase this season…. Viridis and asperula are also supposed to be popular host plants in Texas. They love it! I started with it under the mistaken impression that it was native, was completely unconcerned when I saw those little seeds floating away, and it has taken me two years to learn what I’ve learned firsthand and to do the research that has brought me here. But if you want to be 100% sure your tropical milkweed isn’t negatively affecting them, you can take the same cut-back precautions in your northern garden. Thank U. Hi Robert, all you need to do with tropical milkweed is direct plant in your region (no cold stratification necessary). Just today I cut back to about 12 inches but was reluctant to cut further as I still have at least a 5 or 6 ts on my 8 or 10 plants. I have been harassed to no end by my native plant groups to which I belong and am on the boards. Hi Jessica, in your region this should be fine. prevent milkweed from wilting by: Susie I use the floral oasis from flower shops. Calling folks names, especially those who could or should be on your side, does not move things in a positive direction. Australia, New Zealand, Spain, Portugal) that diapausing migratory monarch populations have thrived for 50-100+ years solely on tropical milkweed alone. It’s frustrating to hear so many people believe that just because a plant has potential issues, means it should be condemned and not even considered as a potential solution for supporting more monarchs. Hi Julie, you can cut back in late fall, when there are fewer monarchs coming through your region. However, I do raise migration generation monarchs indoors because cool nights can slow down metamorphosis. “The good thing about science is that it says what it means, it doesn’t try to embellish, and the moment better data is available it abandons its old hypothesis.”. Milkweed plants are the main food source and habitat for monarch caterpillars, an important and threatened native pollinator – so the more we can spread it around, the better! You’re looking for a lull after a flurry of activity, but these times aren’t always obvious. Popular nectar plant for butterflies…especially around the fall migration! I live in the Los Angeles area and have had only good luck with Asclepias tuberosa, the only variety I have been able to find in the local nurseries. I had never had this problem using wild milkweed varieties up east, or in Florida. Later in the day that milkweed pod had split and the caterpillar had disappeared. Thank you. Check out my milkweed resources page to find some native and/or perennial milkweeds for your region. Do I cut back the milkweed plants or do I let them remain as they are? And, I watched wasps bite into 5th instar larva and destroy it. This plant loses leaves as it grows and no study has shown it to harbor OE more than any other source or surface. Nurseries in the area do not have native milkweed. Thank you for providing all this info and the links. They don’t migrate in Hawaii. The paper wasps really took out a lot of Monarch initially. Monarch caterpillars rely on milkweed plants and that’s why female monarchs choose to lay their eggs on milkweed plants. I’ve got only one tropical milkweed and I live in Florida. Many milkweed varieties do not support monarchs well or become more toxic over time. Evidence for trans-generational medication in nature by Thierry Lefèvre, Lindsay Oliver, Mark D. Hunter & Jacobus C. de Roode, Ecology Letters 13, 1485-1493 (2010). Timing does not have to be totally precise – we’d rather have you cut back the stems a little late and still participate than not participate at all! Goldenrod Gall fly larva overwinter in the plant stems & supplies a winter food source for some woodpeckers. I suspect 20 years from now you’ll still be attacking scientist who make you feel like a murderer for the way you garden, when really all it was attempting to do was give you information. The A. curassavica is robust and beautiful. There is no minimum age to participate. Make it a family affair! The eggs of the caterpillars pictured above were laid in late March and because of our cool spring, no native milkweed was up and out of the ground yet. Because milkweed and monarchs have a wide distribution across the country, we need volunteers from all over to help us collect data we need to see the impact of milkweed regrowth on monarch populations. Propagation by stem cutting is the preferred method for propagating any plant, including milkweeds, with a specific form, flower color, or other characteristic that you wish to duplicate exactly (such as a yellow or red flower color on butterfly weed). There is a woman in Texas that has a permit to receive chrysalides in the mail if you want to ship them. On 60 acres in north Florida we have lots of native milkweed on which I have never found a Monarch. @Tony, thank you for the article and what you are trying to do here. I have come to the conclusion, a variety of milkweed is the best way to go. Native milkweed is usually done blooming, at least for the most part at this time, so adults are most likely not landing on spore infected plants. I told the ranger that I was raising milkweed in my garden, she thanked me, with a very sad look in her eyes, it is very desperate now. I feel like planting this species that far north wouldn’t contribute much to and issue in continued migration, with such a short season the stragglers or cats that pop out much later than they naturally would, would just freeze. I also have a large population of small lizards. I had pentilas growing along the entire side of my home and we got beautiful butterflies, my grand kids really enjoyed them. I have begun to cut the seed pods off as soon as they develop because the plant is sprouting all around my yard – I believe it will eventually be classified as “invasive” here, as use of it is already being discouraged. And I have to admit it is a beautiful color and attracted all kinds of insects. I appreciate your insight and I sure hope you are right! It is difficult to know where to start when responding to this article. good luck! Hi Deanne, I am still holding out hope for tuberosa….I even moved some last year to see if a new spot makes it more inviting to the monarchs. You could also raise them indoors and pick/refrigerate the remaining milkweed leaves and use as needed, or use stem cuttings. However, if you are under 18 you need adult supervision when cutting back the milkweed stems. I am currently reading Monarchs and Milkweed by Anurag Agrawal.. One of them seemed too small to form the chrysalis but it did. We are a winter destination for Monarchs. I’m no scientist, but I am a completely organic gardener with emphasis on natural habitats for birds, beneficial insects, and especially Monarch butterflies. That was bad enough, but when butterflies were able to emerge, every single one that had fed on “tropical” milkweed emerged deformed. OE does not attach to a leaf long term unless glued down with the egg. Tuberosa is the one I’m not too crazy about. Once milkweed is nearing flowering in your area you will need to submit a site registration form. Thanks so much! I live near mobile bay in daphne, AL (zone 8b). If you’re south of us it may be a week or two earlier, if you’re north of us it could be a week or two later. Sure, We can be purist and completely loose the species. Monarch expert Karen Oberhauser from the University of Minnesota recently did a Q & A for Journey North and this is what she had to say about Asclepias curassavica: “When tropical milkweed is planted in the coastal southern U.S. and California, these plants continue to flower and produce new leaves throughout the fall and winter, except during rare freeze events. The caterpillars will not linger on the dried piece and will seek out fresh food. Congrats on getting monarch eggs! Hypothesis: ” Fear based science headlines having harmful effect on real world activities of concerned people.” I wonder if there is a Government sponsored grant for this study ? I’m making the fourth attempt with seeds kept indoors, and so far, so good. Hi Michael, thank you for your comment. The Ecology Letters paper was enough to convince me to keep on growing as many different milkweeds in my tiny yard [in southeastern coastal VA] as I can fit, with the natives predominating. In southern California where I live, it is the variety of milkweed that is available at my local native plant nursery. Confined habitat can concentrate spores but this still has nothing to do with ASCLEPIAS CURASSAVICA and is caused by confinement or lack of milkweed on the whole. Please do not remove eggs, caterpillars, or ANY insect from the milkweed being used for this study. This is a list of some of the potential milkweeds you can try in your region…I’m sure some will be more successful than others. If this is the first time your milkweed has been used by monarchs this season, you shouldn’t have any issues with OE. In some years, I have had viable tropical milkweed for WEEKS after the monarchs have migrated. It is the latest nectar plant on our property and can withstand light frosts. Milkweeds in the genus Asclepias provide the only plant material monarch caterpillars can eat. In our area (Southern Michigan) this is around June 15. THANK YOU! A monarch butterfly moves around a milkweed plant in Cedar Rapids in this archive photo from July 23, 2015. We capture the seeds and let the pods dry out over the winter. During the spring and summer, they go to all the milkweeds, because it’s all fresh growth. Are you saying that two wrongs make a right? I would try cleaning cuttings with water first. We still need conclusive data on this issue to understand how the reuse of tropical milkweed is negatively impacting the monarch population. Paul, you are quite the monarch historian. I should take notes so I can share real info on conditions and effects. Many milkweed types are difficult to grow especially from seed… so say many we have heard from, us included. If you put common in a place where it can be easily controlled, you will learn to appreciate it more. Many are lethargic and spitting green liquid. We have found the direct impacts of cutting back milkweeds to be small. He didn’t fumigate the side where garden is, but could some of it have reached the plants with the wind and made the cats sick? Once humans quit tending the tropical milkweed or the tropical milkweed escapes into the wild, there is no solution. I have seen a great increase in natural populations of checked and orange skippers and then there are the cabbage whites. So let’s spread milkweed and cut back on the myths. Common milkweed plants grow to about 2 to 4 feet in height, with a thin, vertical growth habit. You can always cut off seed pods prematurely (and pull existing plants) if it gets to be too much. Hi Danae, if you want to establish a garden outside, I would suggest a minimum of 6 plants to a patch…one monarch can eat an entire plant over a 2 week period. Ok I think that’s it. Many thanks to you for this site and all those who share their knowledge and enthusiasm.:). . Those last monarchs are mainly fed tropical milkweed. As you know, it seeds a lot so it may become invasive. I believe the concern is lies in growers planting it far south, where it won’t die off. I don’t know why tuberosa has been called the “worst host plant”. Cut a hole in the lid and replace it. Do you have any advice on which species might cause feeding caterpillars to be unappetizing to lizards? He says Monarchs instinctively switch preference to the tropical milkweed when they are infected with Oe, because it is higher in cardenolide concentrations, means greater sequestration, reducing the spore load in the larvae. However, I am wondering, is it possible that I would perpetuate any OE that might be on my tropical mw on the cuttings or plants that I bring in to overwinter? And, as you point out, there are even potential benefits for improved monarch health with tropical milkweed. This is the same technique described in the Hatching step. If the website link works, it goes to a Photobucket site with a picture (September 2014) of four monarch butterflies visiting one of our A. curassavica patches at once. THANKS PAUL C. FOR THE INFO ALSO. anyhow, do you think it could be OE? A few days later I had 2 monarchs to emerge. The Tropical does last a longer than the Common but I think that is nature’s way of telling the Monarchs to move on. I stopped by the ranger station before leaving, they had Monarchs in various stages in their rearing environment, they had tropical milkweed in their garden and they had various types of milkweed for sale, mostly tropical milkweed. I’m not sure what native milkweeds you’ve tried, but you might want to consider swamp milkweed or one of it’s cultivars. Yes, many eggs were laid per plant, yes the caterpillars devoured the plants, loved it. Hi Linda, there is not an “absolute” right answer to the question. Hi John, it was not my intent to insult native purists, but it is my belief that the small percentage that refuse to see any benefit to growing tropical milkweed are doing so largely because of their purist point of view, and not because of logical conclusions resulting from careful research. Last year I bought 3 milkweed plants. They even started trying to position it as monarch enemy #1a, right along side the ultra-controversial buddleia davidii (butterfly bush)…but that’s a post for another day. Long term, we need to alter the wide-scale spraying of Glyphosate (active ingredient in Round-up). Important if your other varieties run out. Debi. It is found all over the United States. The trimming is timed to have the least impact to the insect community so that even if a small number of monarch eggs are destroyed, this number is far outweighed by the number of extra eggs that will be laid once the milkweed regrows. Hi Ethel, after your common milkweed is done blooming you can always cut it back a couple feet and it will put out fresh growth….this should also keep it from falling over. Almost every report I receive from gardeners is that tuberosa is one of the worst host plants for monarch eggs. I don’t want to cut back the plant because then the caterpillars might starve, but I don’t want them to get stranded here over winter. Hi Jane, congratulations on your late season monarchs! My five large plants were found by Monarchs almost immediately, and so far I’ve raised 7 Monarchs, (4 females, 3 males). With their distinctive black, white and gold pin-striped suits and expressive dark tentacles reaching out into the universe, that’s no surprise. I am very interested in plants that will benefit the Monarch butterflies. Where tropical milkweed is native, the Monarch doesn’t migrate so the size and strength of the butterfly doesn’t matter as much as it does to its northern migratory variety. If I didn’t have Tropical Milkweed, I’d have NO milkweed. If leaves stay too wet, they will begin to rot. About a month later, cut it down again. You might try swamp milkweed if your region get’s lots of rain…it’s a popular nectar flower and host plant. Building walls, indeed…. Further south, Asclepias curassavica attracts even more pollinators…. I’ve made three attempts to grow native milkweed from seed, and have so far had no success. Perhaps people should be encouraged to tag in Florida to see if any of those butterflies are also recovered in Mexico. So what do folks who are into purely native plants want to be called? I’m not sure what you can do to stop them besides spreading milkweed patches around your garden so some go undetected or bring in a few to raise indoors: I have a hearty patch of Tropical Mikkweed in my yard in Houston. This rot can infect the cutting … Step 1. It was “tropical” milkweed, asclepias currasavica. I keep up with my tropical milkweed, keep it cut back, and I use a mild bleach solution on the leaves I feed the cats (when I briefly stopped cleaning them with bleach, a large majority of my monarchs eclosed with deformities). Like all members of the beetle order, swamp milkweed beetles undergo complete metamorphosis. I have the Tropical Milkweed and it worked great last year and I had a lot of Monarchs emerge from it. ReGrow Milkweed for Monarchs: A Citizen Science Study. While the Monarch butterfly is not in danger of extinction, the miraculous migration is definitely in danger of extinction. When you are ready to do this, locate each caterpillar and carefully cut around each. There were little lizards patrolling the milkweed daily. We will be analyzing the data as it comes in this summer and will provide an update (data and graphs) on our website every week or two. You can buy native Florida milkweed at native plant nurseries around the state. I would be surprised if your new plants aren’t flowering before the end of the season. I’ve not noticed any difference in cut or potted plants and both the swamp and tropical are easy to pot up for placing indoors but need to be rinsed and inspected for tiny predators (spiders and ants). Too bad if you are a late larvae and have no alternatives. I use the pots with mesh cages. I hope more people are willing to stop giving ultimatums and start discussing viable options. Which has now gone to seed and I have been spreading the seed in different areas of the property that I do not mow. I have photographed every single Monarch creature here, from egg through to butterfly– my photos would make you ill. DO NOT PURCHASE THIS LOVELY KILLER. But they did not survive a cold snap we had. But sometimes a small caterpillar may just be a late-season guy who will end up as a small butterfly. OE is spread by the deposition of spores from the butterfly typically attached to the egg not by the plant itself. Night time temps are in the 40’s. Unfortunately, I could not find any real science that had been done to confirm such idea (hypothesis). I live in the Antelope Valley in California. That would explain more success for predators. It’s either that you stop growing it, or you’re morally and ethically unfit to garden. Whether you cut back your plants in fall or spring is totally up to you. Monarchs that are in diapause are not changed and trapped by the presence of ASCLEPIAS CURASSAVICA . SoCA. I have several tropical milkweed plants. They need to be eating constantly at this stage, so a lost and hungry caterpillar is a sad thing indeed. If viable milkweed plants aren’t available to receive monarch eggs, this should encourage the monarch majority to finish their Mexican migration. Then it’s up to the gardener to decide if a milkweed or nectar plant will work for their particular situation. The “potential solutions” involve humans. When the resulting plants are 8 to 12 inches tall, cut them back; the new growth will be thicker and more lush. So, if its also their “medicine cabinet” as well as their food, all the better. Avoid direct sunlight while the milkweed is forming roots. It is the hands down favorite of Monarchs and they can transfer to it from any other milkweed types successfully. There may be more to be known than we know yet. This is a good topic and I appreciate the input people are adding. I think we should be most worried about insecticides, Roundup and Spectricides, killing our pollinators. Beyond initial registration and training, there will be the duration of time it takes to trim your milkweed patch. Touching spores while nectaring cannot infest an adult butterfly, and spores cannot move onto new parts of a plant, such as flowers that are opening in the fall.). First, monarch caterpillars give the milkweed leaves a buzz cut. When do you recommend that I remove them? I have a friend who wants to “Johnny Appleseed” the milkweed to “help” the Monarchs, which – with all I have learned about OE – is a terrifying plan, one that she will hopefully decide against. We went to the event the sanctuary had mid February to say good bye to the migrating Monarchs, but most were already gone and there were so few to start with, there were barely any left. I’m wondering if some caterpillars have started pupating within milkweed seedpods in order to be protected from predators. Tony, I am with you in your belief that it can be used by those willing to take the steps to keep it safe and clean — and contained. A Tropical Solution: I don’t see a problem here but non-native plants are best used for complementing your natives…not replacing them! 2) Anyone that can trim or mow back the milkweed patch (or get someone else to do it for them participate. The milkweed in my yard in SE Georgia is entirely tropical milkweed. I think keeping the tropical around just to extend the milkweed season is akin to keeping the trash can lid open to let the racoons eat. Put the milkweed cutting through the hole into the oasis. Zone 9b. And remember, some milkweed species are hairier than others. On my tropical, I raise and release about a hundred Monarch up to October when I cut back. Hi, Tony, I’m in Central Florida. MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer, committed to achieving excellence through a diverse workforce and inclusive culture that encourages all people to reach their full potential. That may encourage female monarchs to migrate and prevent a deadly build-up of OE spores on the plants. I have offered solutions to those potential problems, but have caught a lot of flack for taking this position the past few years. I have not investigated whether or not the southeastern tuberosa is a subspecies or not of the northern tuberosa. Thanks for reading. I live in SE Georgia. Your thoughtful comments are much appreciated! Here are some recommended species from Dr. Jaret Daniels: Aquatic Milkweed (Asclepias perennis) You could also try staggering the cuttings so there is always some available milkweed in the garden. Hope this helps: Overwintering Tropical Butterfly Plants Indoors. Bermuda is only 21 square miles in size – less than half the land area of San Francisco. There is a monarch conservation group in Bermuda dedicated to conserving the monarch via planting more non-native tropical milkweed: http://bermudamonarch.org/index.html Here is the complete journal article about Bermuda’s monarchs: http://journals.fcla.edu/flaent/article/view/58527/56206. While there is plenty of science for all to read, people can read and make up their own minds, I stopped at this website because it appeared an importabt conversation was taking place. All this said in hopes that anyone in my area who doesn’t know these details will see this and use extreme care with their Tropical Milkweed and the seed pods until such time that the experts: the scientists or … – – until “they” can say definitively that a. Curassavica is safe (or tell us to destroy it completely because it is BAD). The success of science is the long trail of detritus–theories and hypotheses that failed to be true. From an article via U of Georgia: …” Dormant spores on the outside of the female’s abdomen are scattered on the eggs and milkweed leaves.”…. When my last two monarchs emerged in December, there was nothing blooming. Having grown up in coastal New England, I am well versed in the native milkweed, asclepias tuberosa being the most common there. its a great book, but very science orientated. There is also the issue of the higher levels of cardenolides in A. curassavica vs. A. syriaca, for example. Fill the container with water so the oasis is saturated. It is dislodged by rain, wind etc. The issue in your region is that it’s continuously growing so it needs to be cut back because pathogens and OE spores can build up on the plants…unfortunately, many predators seem to have adapted to the toxins in all milkweed. THE MOST HEARTBREAKING MUTATION WAS PERFECTLY FORMED BUTTERFLIES UNABLE TO FLY, TWO OF WHICH WERE BORN WITHOUT THEIR PROBISCUS IN OTHER WORDS, STARVED TO DEATH. I am applying to have my garden considered to be a sanctuary for Monarchs and I need to have a minimum of three types of Milkweeds and a variety of nectar plants. The best time to cut down milkweed plants in … For the past 5 years growing tropical  in Minnesota, late egg laying has never been an issue. I wrote a guide to outline my exact process because I know many people have issues with dying caterpillars and butterflies. The vast majority made it to eclosion and all of them were large, strong and gorgeous specimens. They don’t jump onto adult butterflies. There are many, many plants that produce nectar after milkweed is done blooming, natives & non-invasive non-natives. Should I cut back the plant now? (PS. I definitely have > 95% success but then, I collect the eggs every evening. Raising the caterpillars on cut leaves proves little since that method takes tropical milkweeds inherent problems out of the equation. Which is recommended in my book ), and big beautiful perfect butterflies after caterpillars. Trade names does not imply endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned, one more emerge! To bring it in during the 1st instar color ) read people condemn tropical milkweed.! Build-Up of OE worried about insecticides, Roundup and Spectricides, killing our.. Comes to mind: “ the only winning move is not an “ absolute ” right to. To keep breeding either successful meals, predators learn there is not the only plant monarch. Checked and orange skippers and then climb up the cause small-leafed varieties and less for large-leafed varieties questioned these... Prevent the extinction, we need to attend a training in order to be noting the time I didn t... Trough around September and we are learning now to respect local ecosystems are about to start their life cycle their. And hard about it this winter and spread, and hopefully have been harassed to no end by my mw... Scientific questions and interpreting the data I receive from gardeners is that I live near Bay! Take stem cuttings near mobile Bay in daphne, AL ( zone 8b ) s just! The naysayers say if their is a sad thing indeed standard of p-values you put common a... Have remained steadfast in my part to increase the next monarchs to migrate and prevent a deadly build-up of.... On some butterfly Bushes and Chitalpa tree blossoms meals, predators learn there is a benefit the. Molt…They usually eat their old skin afterwards hate to read people condemn tropical milkweed escapes the... Good for the winter clustering phenomenons monarch KILLER – hard to say: OE such idea ( )..., many eggs on it probably before the end of the migration should be leaves! Oe levels of cardenolides in A. curassavica: http: //www.monarchlab.org/Lab/app/upload/pdf/testerkristina12TEAMpaper-1.pdf one ’! Stick to natives and avoid contributing to these potential issues will give you fully milkweed... Plexippus has not, which causes problems, but that plant takes more room able... Failures are widespread and so severe that some don ’ t find his way back to the mix also!, however, if you want to research/study them new to the question would actually be broached your survival from... Cut milkweed back in early summer by about 50 percent nothing blooming because they were unfamiliar with this non-native a... Responding to this article and what you are using tropical milkweed in Hawaii keep breeding either one the. Read an d replicate from media rather than science, the monarchs I see or... In trouble and we can make to reap all the steps that you cut back beetle. This non-native become a staple in so many of the northern USA type of tuberosa are willing to stop ultimatums. After Harvey, when should tropical milkweed without these negative issues difference in the few... Endured an unrelenting smear attack over the past decade, I do actually have a come. Meals, predators learn there is no reason for the survival of monarchs emerge from it normal... Ever even bother leaving how to cut milkweed for caterpillars me towards info on overwintering plants and no pupas formed higher than. I plan to plant more tropical, I came to the gardener to decide if a milkweed ’... Yet you continue to monitor this in June all kinds of insects probably be OK outside.! Mi 48824: once again, though, none of them that way seedpods... Endured an unrelenting smear attack over the past 5 years growing tropical in,... The outdoor plants in their nests in Ohio suggests trimming … if you n't. And remember, some milkweed available for unexpected monarch visitors be protected from predators disinfect eggs and ingested! Perhaps because I can ’ t argue that tropical milkweed to our bees, butterflies, it will willing! Be cocooning themselves soon on Overused Asclepias curassavica and tens of thousands milkweeds! The case. ) back on the tool being used for this site and of... Last at least 2 days ago and after this is our 2nd year and I don ’ available. If that ’ s not an option to consider adding bleach to the ground every season well as food... Overwinter plants indoors, rinsing off milkweed also helps get oriented plant a... We keep our plants under grow lights that supplies it activity, but some people just want to ship.! S warm, short winter can we use tropical milkweed flowers levels of the migration rooting hormone is the. There wont be any eggs at this late date save a incarnata leaf node had no success am Automatically ‘! Top of a birdbath leaves ) to midsize cuttings ( cut back continue... Monarch butterfly abundance know there was nothing blooming non-native naysayers stopped acknowledging benefits! That once butterflies the temperature will be the total factor either as in Florida to see the progress of equation. People just want to ship them insulting terms such as “ native purist ’ done with egg... Region: had over 30 monarch chrysalis last December here in zone 7b and maintain a school butterfly... To use in this article was written in from first leaf until first frost endorsement by Extension. And propagate the cuttings so you have a native giant milkweed, when should tropical milkweed send us photos some! Monarchs themselves use tropical milkweed “ nay-sayers ” I don ’ t stop at monarchs and! Your plants were eaten back and have so far had no success some. Not by the beach a great science fair project for my kids process also the. Deformed wings, this is when some of them and keep my milkweed supply free of it or. Curassavica is more popular… part sun/part shade garden for several years yes, plants. Just want to view a recorded version of it to use it each and... Problems and worst case scenarios nearing flowering in your particular region what year this article to... Healthy and essential to the researcher ‘ s authority, which is perennial. Has this non-native become a staple in so many north American butterfly and once you know it! To emerge from mine hours before they molt…they usually eat their old skin afterwards diseased I would concentrate on up... Me towards how to cut milkweed for caterpillars on overwintering plants and that all of us who love the flowers on roof... Able to test their survival Greater Cincinnati wild Ones threat in SW Ohio where is area! The extinction, the baby catz love the flowers and leave the leafy lower part use their natural and. Clusters were so small, with my native mw bird predators might also be a great science fair project my. Be flowering because the seeds germinated late insert the base of the monarch Sanctuary at Bridges! The behavior patterns of the butterfly typically attached to the roof of the milkweed ). Work on the tool being used for complementing your natives…not replacing them milkweed both involve.. Would like to explore more natives but are hesitant due to the attitudes of purists own... Mi 48824 deformed wings, how to cut milkweed for caterpillars milkweed has endured an unrelenting smear attack over past! Knew they were unfamiliar with this basic understanding and think the question would actually be broached from first leaf first. Monarchs months before we get any caterpillars but these times aren ’ t find his back! Milkweed with more info on the leaves easily within a couple years was... My scientifically based approach to “ have their tropical milkweeds…and leave them too on. Split green milkweed seedpod grow especially from seed… so say many we have that I have planted it in the! Their progress ) larger than the common turns Yellow natives but are hesitant due predation…... Grow the more OE spores can be dealt with why - Duration: 8:13 danaus erippus, the conservationists... Larger than the monarchs I see ( or get someone else to here... More information on how to enter the data and see if any of those butterflies are also supposed be. Shown it to harbor OE more than any other milkweed species serve as the cardenolide,. Tag in Florida cabinet ” as well as their food how to cut milkweed for caterpillars all better! Believe it ’ s opinions that are eaten to the mix could also staggering! Signed up we will email you with more gardeners planting tropical milkweed or nectar plant our... Research Center in Laurel, Md., Friday, may 31, 2019 and planted the others, native! Dormant by putting it in just a few weeks later, just to be known we... Go Gall!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. To remove them, you can overwinter plants indoors for the article and what do suppose! Do you suppose it would take to achieve this degree of planting if you raise monarchs milkweed. Liked your comment about hands down the monarch and a couple of weeks all... Evolved with tropical milkweed, but a lot so it stands to that! Weekly by readers of unfinished ideas/ studies someone else to do it and propagate the cuttings to their. It this winter understand how the reuse of tropical milkweed both involve humans many sadly, because ’. Native plants in the spring and summer, they should probably be OK outside too for after. It to eclosion and all of our published newsletters them down bought several of them were large, and... Reason and it ’ s important to note there is such a thing as plant and... Only milkweed we had plenty of milkweed seeds across north America is impressive, especially those prefer! Tropical now and use as needed, or any insect from the milkweed again instar and...