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Started By
Message
time to plant your milkweed for the monarchs
Posted on 3/19/25 at 12:40 pm
Posted on 3/19/25 at 12:40 pm
good article in the picayune this morning
LINK
if you have kids, observing the butterflies, then caterpillars, then chrysalis' then butterflies is fantastic way to get them interested in the natural world
LINK
quote:
In a turn of events, the eastern monarch butterfly population — which was put on the list of endangered species just a few years ago — nearly doubled this year, according to a March report from the World Wildlife Fund, an international conservation organization. With summer approaching, it's almost time for Louisianans to start planning for the famous insect's arrival in their yards. By late June and early July, people can expect to begin seeing the butterflies in Louisiana as they migrate north.
quote:
The WWF recommends people incorporate milkweed in their yards and gardens to attract the iconic, orange butterflies. Before buying milkweed, nature lovers should know what variety is native to their area, since different regions have various species. The Southeast region has five main species, including the butterfly and whorled milkweed. In Louisiana, the most commonly available species are aquatic milkweed (Asclepias perennis), butterflyweed (A. tuberosa), common milkweed (A. syriaca), fewflower milkweed (A. lanceolate), swamp milkweed (A. incarnata) and whorled milkweed (A. verticillata).
if you have kids, observing the butterflies, then caterpillars, then chrysalis' then butterflies is fantastic way to get them interested in the natural world
11
Posted on 3/19/25 at 12:42 pm to cgrand
My milkweed last year had so many caterpillars on it, ended up finding 3-4 cocoons on the house we watched every day.
It got killed in the snow, but I think it's coming back now.
It got killed in the snow, but I think it's coming back now.
This post was edited on 3/19/25 at 12:44 pm
Posted on 3/19/25 at 1:34 pm to cgrand
I planted some while dressing up the flower beds 2 weekends ago. Maybe 3 days later I went to water them and there was already a monarch butterfly on it.
Crazy how quick they are to find them.
Crazy how quick they are to find them.
Posted on 3/19/25 at 2:36 pm to cgrand
I planted some native milkweed last week. I’m hoping it comes up. I read somewhere that it needs “cold stratification” for the seeds to germinate, meaning the seeds need to be exposed to a certain number of days of cold weather. The article i read recommended planting seeds in the fall to come up in spring. We’ll see.
I also read that tropical milkweed can cause the monarchs to become sick with a parasite called OE, and that’s why native is recommended. I looked more into it and it’s because it doesn’t die back in winter like native does. The leaves have more chance to build up the parasite if they are on longer. I accidentally bought one tropical plant and per the article, i cut it down to a stem and sprayed it with 10% bleach solution. Within days the damn thing started growing new leaves. I guess i’ll just do that every year. I’m excited to see what happens.
Also, i’d link the article but i can’t find it now lol.
I also read that tropical milkweed can cause the monarchs to become sick with a parasite called OE, and that’s why native is recommended. I looked more into it and it’s because it doesn’t die back in winter like native does. The leaves have more chance to build up the parasite if they are on longer. I accidentally bought one tropical plant and per the article, i cut it down to a stem and sprayed it with 10% bleach solution. Within days the damn thing started growing new leaves. I guess i’ll just do that every year. I’m excited to see what happens.
Also, i’d link the article but i can’t find it now lol.
Posted on 3/19/25 at 2:54 pm to cgrand
This lady on Etsy sells a Native Louisiana Milkweed pack of seeds. She has packs for several other states too.
Posted on 3/19/25 at 3:23 pm to cgrand
adjunct…now is the time to plant maypop for gulf fritillaries
Posted on 3/19/25 at 3:32 pm to cgrand
Cool, but how do you keep the aphids from eating the whole damn plant?
Posted on 3/19/25 at 3:35 pm to bayoubengals88
never had had that issue.
ladybugs will knock them out though
ladybugs will knock them out though
Posted on 3/19/25 at 3:55 pm to Zappas Stache
quote:
This lady on Etsy sells a Native Louisiana Milkweed pack of seeds.
Thanks Zap. Have an area at my farm where I'm planting wildflowers for my wife and bought some of these to plant.
Posted on 3/19/25 at 4:16 pm to ApisMellifera
quote:
Crazy how quick they are to find them.
How many is "some". It's truly crazy how quick a bunch can eat the leaves off these plant. I counted 14 on one plant last year...another 5 on the second plant. The plants never fully recovered.
I wound up finding 11 chrysalis around the house with 9 making it to butterfly.
2 plants were not enough but I don't have a bunch of room for more.
Posted on 3/19/25 at 4:46 pm to DMAN1968
quote:last year I only had one milkweed come up, they mowed it down immediately. Then they moved to my dill, ate it all. Then to my lemon, same…stripped clean. If you have lots of flowers otherwise the butterflies will come. Last year was amazing to watch here
It's truly crazy how quick a bunch can eat the leaves off these plant
Posted on 3/19/25 at 6:14 pm to bbvdd
quote:
I'm planting wildflowers for my wife and bought some of these to plant.
Its a passion project for the Butterfly Lady and free shipping. The big seed company I used to order from charges way too much to ship seeds.
Posted on 3/19/25 at 7:18 pm to Zappas Stache
yes both Eden and rare seeds charge a lot to ship.
Posted on 3/19/25 at 7:44 pm to DMAN1968
quote:
How many is "some".
I was only able to sneak 5 into the landscape without my wife noticing.
Posted on 3/19/25 at 9:33 pm to ApisMellifera
Anyone here have luck growing pipevine? I had it in NE MS. The pipevine swallowtail is one of my favorites.
Posted on 3/19/25 at 10:44 pm to TimeOutdoors
I've got a dutchman's pipevine down in the Houston area. It's on it's 3rd year and it looks like it's going to follow the 3 year trajectory for perrenials of sleep, creep, leap. It's already bigger this spring than it ever has been before and I'm seeing 5 or 6 flower buds on it. Fingers crossed for some pipevine swallowtails this year to go along with all the other ones I get on my dill and parsley.
Posted on 3/20/25 at 1:24 pm to TigerCael
quote:
Fingers crossed for some pipevine swallowtails this year to go along with all the other ones I get on my dill and parsley.
I've got that vine growing and the black swallowtails love it
Posted on 3/20/25 at 1:55 pm to Zappas Stache
Posted on 3/22/25 at 7:27 am to cgrand
I have a huge bed of Lantana that they seem to love
Posted on 3/22/25 at 7:39 am to Icansee4miles
Lantana definitely attracts them, but I plant it in large hanging baskets. Because it’s invasive.
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