VB. She has written two novels, "Blind Faith" and "Under the Influence." We’ll also look at sandhills milkweed, which Scott calls the most important milkweed … An interview I heard last year stated that pesticide residues can remain in plant pollen and nectar for up to 7 years after spraying. Your efforts will help bring back the Monarch’s and restore their populations to healthy levels. MonarchWatch.org has a vendor list of seed sellers as well. In warm summer temperatures, monarch eggs hatch after only 2-3 days. Goldenrod (Solidago fistulosa, odora var. You can buy milkweed plants at your local garden center or a nursery that sells native plants, but it is also easy to grow milkweed from seed. I don’t recommend treating for aphids because even organic sprays can harm good bugs indiscriminately. You can cut it back and that will trigger new growth. I had the same question hereIn Florida. So let’s spread milkweed and cut back on the myths. They provide habitat for traveling Monarch butterflies. https://homeguides.sfgate.com/milkweed-come-back-cut-it-97807.html AND …one more question please – Which type of honey suckle that is not invasive but is AROMATIC? As for transplanting, we say in the business that there’s always a 50/50 chance of survival when you transplant something. Oh wow! We cut back one section of each patch in June, another section in July, and the last third we left alone as a control. Also, I did gather seeds from one of the seedpods and I have sprouted 4 plants in small seed pots to plant later on. You could wait it out, or cut back now. If you live in Orange County,Riverside, San Diego, etc. Here in North Dakota, I pinch back a few milkweeds of both the common and swamp varieties to spread out the bloom time. They use neonic pesticides which harm butterflies, honeybees, and bumblebees. Let them be and they will die or become food for hunger beneficial insects in your garden instead. Yes, it’s a good idea to cut it down before winter, especially if you have a tropical milkweed. We’ll also look at sandhills milkweed, which Scott calls the most important milkweed species in the southeast. Would it be possible to prune these plants to keep them at a more manageable height or should I get a whole lot of stakes to try and hold them up? Monarch butterflies lay their eggs on milkweed plants, and the hatched monarch larvae need milkweed leaves for nourishment. I too was nervous but was VERY pleased! I’ve noticed that the leaves of Swamp Milkweed turn a nice purple color in Fall. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. The simple leaves are opposite or sometimes whorled; broad ovate-lanceolate; up to 25 cm (9.8 in) long and 12 cm (4.7 in) broad, usually with entire, undulate margins and reddish main veins. You’re right, Bob, not many sites talk about what to do with the milkweed after it’s finished for the season. How did your caterpillars do on that brand? There are 5 separate sepals (petal-like leaves) and 5 fused petals. Hi Janis, typically milkweeds are cut back in late fall, so you’re right to do it. The regrowth will be clean. White vine (Sarcostemma clausum), Native Nectar Plants for Monarchs in South Florida, Mist flower (Conoclinium coelestinum) ART, I found an article on non-invasive honeysuckle that suggested several varieties you could grow, depending on where you live: https://www.gardendesign.com/vines/honeysuckle.html. There are some which thrive in full sun, in humid conditions and even in very dry conditions. If the plant already has seed pods, I’d let it go to seed and collect them for next year. Yes, on the arid side in the Keys area. I’m guessing the prairie sightings on the map are likely misidentified Viceroys. The pruned plants would tend to produce more foliage because pruning causes a chemical reaction in plants once you remove the apical-dominant growth tip (which exudes auxin – a chemical that prevents other branches from being the “leader”). THAT BEING SAID – I have been spraying a product called DEER – FENCE, because earlier in the year the deer were eating all of the milk weed as well as the butterfly bushes. I buy from nurseries which do not use pesticides on any of their flowering plants. This encourages the new leaves to sprout and eventually these plants will feed more monarch caterpillars! We do get a few monarchs and queens but we’d like to see more. It could be a number of factors contributing to your milkweed bolting to seed so soon. HI Lori, that’s an excellent question, but the answer is “it depends”. I also grow Oxypetalum caeruleum, with it’s lovely star-shaped light blue flowers and milkweed pods, which is reported to be a food source for Manarch larvae; however, I haven’t yet observed a Monoarch egg or larvae on this plant. When should I cut it back and how far? Will a second crop of milkweed come back? The seeds can be planted indoors in cool climates and transplanted outside after danger of frost has passed. In the future you might consider mulching around the plant over winter or potting it up indoors if you haven’t tried that already. If I bought plants at Lowe’s and gathered seeds to replant are they contaminated with pesticides or will the new seeds be “clean” plants? It’s important to keep in mind that some milkweeds are annuals and some are perennials. While milkweed can grow quickly, planting species local to your region and researching a bit about growing patterns is a good way to ensure it won’t take over your yard. I am on East Coast South Carolina. But if you want to make it bushier, feel free to pinch. This free-flowering native milkweed usually only grows 12-24 inches tall, continually sending up stalks topped with white blooms that often have a pink blush. Cut back to 4″ above soil level. Had five plants this year – going big next year. Small yellow or orange or red flowers. They are flowering and growing. 2. Many people like milkweed for those reasons as well as for its fragrant, sweet-scented blossoms. Ants farm (Moving them to flowers and other plants) Aphids so they can feed on the excrement they leave behind. Either way, enjoy them! They are all still sprouting new leaves and flowering. Planting Time: Milkweed plants can be planted in spring or fall. Thanks for writing in. I also read to cut back after it stops flowering. That will give it a fighting chance. When you think about it, it’s rather remarkable how a butterfly can spot a single milkweed from the sky. When the leaves have been eaten, simply cut the stem about three nodes (where leaves came out) or 4 inches inches above the soil or just above the lowest branching of the stalk and the plant will grow back fuller and create even more food for Monarchs. If the milkweed is a perennial, like Asclepias curassavica (tropical milkweed) pictured above, you’ll notice tiny leaves growing from the base of the plant at some point after the upper stems have been consumed. I shall keep you posted on how it proceeds. Caterpillar’s have stripped all the leaves and buds from my milkweed. It may be long enough to flower and go to seed this year. Hi Linda, it depends on when your first frost happens and how durable these milkweeds will be when that time comes. Common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) is a North American native, growing in the United States and Canada. Gardener’s Supply sells a lot of “grow-through” type stakes and supports that allow you can keep those tall flowers upright. Most milkweeds that I’m aware of will sprout again. Powdery mildew is a fungal disease that can affect butterfly weed and is prevalent during warm dry weather. You may also find that you need to treat is as an annual in BC. They may come back. If you didn’t cut it back to about 4″ from the soil in December it might need to be cut back now. Green antelopehorn (Asclepias viridis) Keep us posted! As for aphids, again I wouldn't suggest any treatment. It’s helpful to have a diverse selection of native milkweed and flowering plants, but avoid tropical milkweed (A. curassavica). Located in Tulsa, OK Transplant the rest to other containers or in the ground to give them enough room to thrive. Many of their flowering plants were tested and half of them were loaded with systemic pesticides. Monarch caterpillars feed exclusively on the leaves of milkweed, the only host plant for this iconic butterfly species. Of Florida’s 21 native milkweed species, there are only a handful you can easily raise at home. I’m a big fan of gardener, Tracy Disabato-Aust, who is famous for pinching and trimming perennials to stagger bloom. https://www.thespruce.com/milkweed-plants-monarch-butterfly-host-2132954 Asclepias exaltata, Poke Milkweed, got its name because the leaves resemble those of the pokeweed plant. also you can freeze milkweed. Tropical Milkweed, however, will readily regrow leaves after having been grazed down to the stems; it also can hang on throughout mild winters. Common milkweed can be a problem for agriculture due to its long root system and resistance to herbicides, according to a Michigan State University Extension website article. Heat loving species like tropical milkweed will not grow back. This website has growing tips for these particular milkweeds: It doesn’t really have any pruning advice, but it does include advice on how to care for the plant. We want to do whatever is best for the Monarchs. Others in my area are seeing caterpillar action. Janet Clark has written professionally since 2001. and they generally don’t spread to other plants in your garden. Blazing star (Liatris garberi, gracilis, or chapmanii) As such, milkweed is critical for the survival of monarchs. Unfortunately, no Monarch butterflies were to be seen in our yard, but the flowers definitely attracted several types of bees. You mentioned that you are growing swamp milkweed, Asclepias incarnata. Hi Kevin, it depends on where you have the milkweed growing. I’ll browse around your web sight a bit for more information on those species. the stems will root in the water as well. With spring here and butterfly gardeners chomping at the bit to create host and nectar habitat for Monarchs and other butterflies, it’s a good time to talk milkweed … Asclepias vestita – creamy flowers and broad leaves. Yesterday they ate everything and today, I cleaned and replaced food with fresh cuttings from the same found space I’d fed them leaves from before. The bloodflower seems to be the #1 favorite with it’s tender tropical leaves, with swamp milkweed and common milkweed running close seconds. I heard that you should not use milkweed from the year before, it’s bad for the butterflies. but i have done it with stems stripped of leaves by monarchs just to supplement the “food” for the cats. We gardenerds can never underestimate the power of a strong blast of water. Longleaf milkweed (Asclepias longifolia) Butterflies are all over the place right now, and the flowers will go to seed and reseed themselves in fall. You can you go ahead and cut back the scarlet milkweed plants which will result in a bushier, shorter plant with more leaves . As the weather warms up they may take off. Won’t the Monarchs not survive when they finally hatch since it will be fall/winter? Milkweed is a central feature in my garden, and I want to make sure it has everything it needs to come back in the spring. They also recommend gradually replacing those plants with native varieties to eliminate the problem altogether. Many garden centers like Home Depot tag their plants with a sign that says, “This plant is protected by glyphosate” or something like that. I have planted Butterfly Flowers – Asclepiade Incarnata. Here is their publication on the subject: http://monarchjointventure.org/images/uploads/documents/Oe_fact_sheet.pdf. The first year they were great. That said, you might try spraying around the plant instead of spraying it directly. Milkweed is the only plant on which the Monarch butterfly will lay eggs. Thanks so much for the guidance. Reply. Plant them in the back of the garden and plant a medium or short height plant in front of them. I grow Mexican/tropical milkweed, A. curassavica, in my garden in raised beds, and mine is coming back now. Your email address will not be published. How long does it take a milkweed whose leaves have been eaten to grow new leaves and be ready again? These pods will be several inches long by ½ inch wide. Some of the leaves are yellowing but it think I’ve over watered…with that being said, I seem to be attracting a lot of bees (they appear to be honey bees so this is good). Thank you so much for your comprehensive reply. I think what you’re referring to is the notion that some types of milkweed that doesn’t die back over winter can carry a pathogen that kills Monarch butterfly caterpillars. Does anyone think these plants will come back in spring or did I lose them? Not for L.A., but if you’re in San Diego, try planting this one. Annual vs. perennial – if the milkweed you are growing performs as an annual in your hardiness zone, like the Asclepias Physocarpa pictured above, you can scatter the open seed pods around the soil and cut the stalks down to the ground. During droughts, keep the flowers blooming with weekly watering. Also Swamp Milkweeds leaves are a bit smaller, being 2.5” – 6” long and a bit narrower, as well as coming to a point instead of being rounded. During droughts, keep the flowers blooming with weekly watering. We live in Minnesota. Yvonne. It gets fairly tall and sprawls. According to LiveMonarch.com, to get larger plants in the spring, “Cuting off the top of the plant after they reach 8-12″ creates more stalks and more leaves.” These are Reduction cuts that generate more growth from side branches. Swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) has pink flowers and can grow into a large plant, up to five feet tall. If you want to wait until the plant finishes flowering, and the caterpillars have moved on (which they most often do), then cut it down (or remove the tropical varieties), make that your plan. Fingers crossed. Milkweed (Asclepias spp.) Thanks for sharing your tip, Steve. The caterpillars will eat all of my leaves, but don’t worry, I will grow back. The answer is, it depends. I do have a question about common milkweed.I want to cut it back so that new shoots will be ready for the fall monarchs.when should I do that? aka Wooly milkweed. In spring, your milkweed plants will likely arrive in a dormant state, with no green leaves above the soil line. What Are the Benefits of Butterfly Gardens to the Environment? All of my milkweed plants have started turning yellow and wilting, then they die. chapmanii, sempervirens or stricta) They are tall and lanky. A protozoan parasite of monarch butterflies, Ophryocystis elektroscirrha or OE for short, can travel with monarchs visiting the plants and become deposited on leaves. It’s my first year with it. Glad to hear it helps milkweed thrive. Helps a lot! Swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) There are some which thrive in full sun, in humid conditions and even in very dry conditions. I wouldn’t spray anything on your milkweed. Wait for that. Monarch butterflies are on the decline because of changes to their habitat, including herbicide and pesticide usage, weather conditions, protozoan parasite infestation and the eradication of milkweed. Under these conditions, tropical milkweed produces higher cardenolide concentrations. Can I spray bug spray on my milk weed for tiny black and yellow bugs. According to the Xerces Society, L.A. is at the southern tip of the range for this plant. Milkweed without flowers growing along regularly fertilized lawns, gardens or crop fields are probably getting too much nitrogen, which can cause lush green growth and a lack of blooms. The Extension recommends killing milkweed before it spreads in crop fields by using repeated applications of glyphosate herbicide. Q. I grow common milkweed for the monarch butterflies. Perennial milkweeds grow back year after year. 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