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Post by Mari-in-IN on Jul 29, 2019 22:39:14 GMT
My husband and I are very interested and excited in regards to doing research for propagating milkweeds for the Monarch butterflies. I have known for several years now how important milkweed indeed is. DH was coming home from work several days ago and was telling me how he had heard a good bit on the radio in regards to this and how he had never known that before - and that how we should not remove it... I told him that is why the past few years I had not been yanking the milkweed that comes up in one of our flowerbeds. I guess I just assumed that he knew? Hee hee... I also learned something else this afternoon. I had been wondering what those other caterpillars were on it and discovered that they were the Milkweed Tussock Moth Caterpillars. They are now in the process of decimating some of the leaves...  I also spotted three more Monarch caterpillars as well...  I have to wonder - should the Tussoks be disposed of to enable the Monarch caterpillars to have enough to eat?? Since I am soooo new to this I appreciate any advice and I will continue to do more research on the net as time allows... I am also looking into harvesting seeds and starting several beds of milkweed this Fall/Early Winter. I so totally welcome any advice and your experiences... ~Mari |
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Post by Use Less on Jul 29, 2019 22:48:18 GMT
I found a very informative article online  The site is called "Monarch Butterfly Garden", and the article is titled, "Stop Milkweed Pests from Ruining Milkweed". It spells out which critters can be left unless they seem to be taking over, or one's milkweed patch isn't large enough to support them. |
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Post by Cabin Fever on Jul 29, 2019 23:18:19 GMT
But, did you know that during WW2 people would collect the "fluff" from milkweed pods. The fluff was used to stuff life preservers.  |
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Post by Mari-in-IN on Jul 29, 2019 23:39:39 GMT
I found a very informative article online The site is called "Monarch Butterfly Garden", and the article is titled, "Stop Milkweed Pests from Ruining Milkweed". It spells out which critters can be left unless they seem to be taking over, or one's milkweed patch isn't large enough to support them. Hey! I just went back to my favorites and I think this is possibly the same one that I came across earlier... monarchbutterflygarden.net/I definitely need to take some more time out to do more research... ~Mari |
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Post by Use Less on Jul 29, 2019 23:40:58 GMT
I knew that, Cabin Fever. I'm pretty sure I've seen some vintage ones with milkweed stuffing. Amazing days stateside during the second War.
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Post by vickilynn on Jul 30, 2019 2:27:37 GMT
I have a big patch of milkweed in the side garden. I really don’t do too much to propagate it, it just pops up everywhere. Lots of butterflies and honeybees. (We have a bee tree, the crotch of a big catalpa.)
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Post by feather on Jul 30, 2019 2:43:39 GMT
Only once in my life have I seen a monarch migration. I was outside at this house here, and a few monarchs were floating around near the ground. I looked up and saw thousands upon thousands. It felt like I'd seen a miracle of nature.
Once I looked up information on them, I realized it probably was a miracle to experience.
We do have milkweed that grows here, naturally.
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Post by mogal on Jul 30, 2019 11:20:11 GMT
I planted a spicebush 2 years ago only to have it defoliated by larvae of the spicebush swallowtail. Those critters looked like something out of a sci fi movie! Scroll down to see what that caterpillar looked like! www.gardenswithwings.com/butterfly/Spicebush%20Swallowtail/index.htmlSince we stopped cutting hay off this farm and allowing chemical fertilizers, we've gotten the most amazing variety of wild plants come in. I'm looking for someone knowledgeable who would be willing to come to the farm to help me identify them as what some people have told me doesn't agree with my reference books. We do mow it late in the season to allow seeds to mature and to keep trees at bay. |
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Post by solargeek on Jul 30, 2019 13:53:15 GMT
We have tons of monarchs and tons of milkweed. Seems to just grow along our 800' drive and also on the edge of our clearing for the pond and orchard/gardens.
Re the spicebush swallowtail mogal, we have those too even though we only have seen maybe 2 spice bushes here that grew from birds' droppings.
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Post by mogal on Jul 30, 2019 15:22:10 GMT
But, did you know that during WW2 people would collect the "fluff" from milkweed pods. The fluff was used to stuff life preservers. I remember an article from the original Mother Earth News that suggested milkweed fluff as a substitute for goose down in cold weather garments. Shows my age a bit, huh? |
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Post by Maura on Jul 30, 2019 16:27:24 GMT
I see the spicebush swallowtail every summer, but not their caterpillars. Also see monarchs. I leave the milkweed up for them.
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Post by Mari-in-IN on Aug 7, 2019 19:09:46 GMT
I just went out to check on the handful of milkweed plants we have out here. Boy, several of them are really getting worked over. I was kind of excited to count at least 10 Monarch caterpillars. I know that isn't very many to some of you - but that is the most I have ever seen at one time...  I'm really getting excited in regards to attempting to propagate a lot of these this Fall - I know - it doesn't take much to excite me - ha! ~Mari |
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Post by Mari-in-IN on Aug 7, 2019 19:11:43 GMT
Only once in my life have I seen a monarch migration. I was outside at this house here, and a few monarchs were floating around near the ground. I looked up and saw thousands upon thousands. It felt like I'd seen a miracle of nature. Once I looked up information on them, I realized it probably was a miracle to experience. We do have milkweed that grows here, naturally. Wow! That does indeed seem like an experience of a lifetime - what a blessing indeed! ~Mari |
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Post by Mari-in-IN on Aug 7, 2019 19:13:10 GMT
We have tons of monarchs and tons of milkweed. Seems to just grow along our 800' drive and also on the edge of our clearing for the pond and orchard/gardens.
Re the spicebush swallowtail mogal , we have those too even though we only have seen maybe 2 spice bushes here that grew from birds' droppings. You are so very fortunate in my eyes! It's not everyday that I get to see a Monarch butterfly... ~Mari |
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Post by Mari-in-IN on Aug 7, 2019 19:17:19 GMT
I planted a spicebush 2 years ago only to have it defoliated by larvae of the spicebush swallowtail. Those critters looked like something out of a sci fi movie! Scroll down to see what that caterpillar looked like! www.gardenswithwings.com/butterfly/Spicebush%20Swallowtail/index.htmlSince we stopped cutting hay off this farm and allowing chemical fertilizers, we've gotten the most amazing variety of wild plants come in. I'm looking for someone knowledgeable who would be willing to come to the farm to help me identify them as what some people have told me doesn't agree with my reference books. We do mow it late in the season to allow seeds to mature and to keep trees at bay. Oh my word - those Spicebush Swallowtail caterpillars are so cool! I have never seen one - I know that for sure! I can kind of feel the kid coming out in me as I'm thinking I'm definitely going to be on the lookout for more/interesting caterpillars now.  ~Mari |
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Post by Woodpecker on Aug 8, 2019 13:43:19 GMT
There are more Monarchs here than we had for years! Yesterday, I saw three Monarchs on my yard. Not at one time. One was on the Honey Suckle, one on our hedges and the other on a rose bush out front. It''s such a joy to see them! I stood and watched the one on the Honey Suckle as it kept sitting there, closing and opening its wings. It seemed to be very interested in that spot. All the flowers are gone now, but there must be something else on the Honey Suckle it likes. I couldn't stand there all day, but I stood a good ten minutes and as I left, it was still opening and closing its wings. So cool! I'm getting myself a Butterfly bush to plant in fall  |
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Post by susannah on Aug 8, 2019 14:59:20 GMT
We're seeing a lot more monarchs here, too. We hardly saw any of them in prior years but this year we've seen quite a few. And just as many tiger swallowtails as before, which is a lot of them. I'm really enjoying the increase in butterflies.
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Post by solargeek on Aug 8, 2019 15:52:48 GMT
I guess, living where we do and surrounded by thousand acre farms that use Roundup and other chemicals, we are the only organic spot for the monarchs to visit. So we have always had a bunch. We also have always had a prairie of about 7 acres until last year when we had to start mowing it because of the knapweed. We have been careful to leave the fringe milkweed and other wildflowers. And of course there's a huge wild flower buffer around the pond.
This year, it's a rare day when I don't see 2-3 and some days 5 to 10.
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Post by farmchix on Aug 8, 2019 21:26:56 GMT
Every year I am deliberate about planting more pollinators. I'm getting ready to study up on when/how to harvest these milkweed pods for seeds.
I thought it was here that I posted it, but evidently not. I allowed the milkweed to grow in the flowerbed against the house - 4 plants. It's tall enough that I have enjoyed watching butterflies and bees visit. I keep checking for any sign of monarchs...nothing. We had some last year. Then I look at the siding on the house. That's where all the chrysalis are! No watering the flowers below because I don't want to accidentally spray them off the siding. LOL
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Post by Use Less on Aug 8, 2019 21:49:12 GMT
The heavy rain these two days has knocked over a portion of my milkweed patch  I hope they stand back up. If not, I think I'll put in a couple tall stakes, and run a piece of strong cord to lift them up. Doesn't need to be long, and no place anyone should/would be walking. |
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Post by feather on Aug 15, 2019 17:57:19 GMT
A friend in MA said they had a lot of monarchs.
I had a monarch caterpillar on the dill weed this morning, now that I know the difference!!
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Post by feather on Aug 26, 2019 15:36:22 GMT
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Post by Use Less on Aug 26, 2019 15:54:42 GMT
I found 4 monarch caterpillars in my milkweed this past week. Could be more  |
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Post by Mari-in-IN on Aug 26, 2019 15:57:22 GMT
That was a really cool read. Thanks so much for posting it! ~Mari |
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Post by farmchix on Aug 26, 2019 18:53:13 GMT
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The site is called "Monarch Butterfly Garden", and the article is titled, "Stop Milkweed Pests from Ruining Milkweed". It spells out which critters can be left unless they seem to be taking over, or one's milkweed patch isn't large enough to support them. 
I hope they stand back up. If not, I think I'll put in a couple tall stakes, and run a piece of strong cord to lift them up. Doesn't need to be long, and no place anyone should/would be walking.
