I hope more people get involved as we are losing so much and monarchs need our help! What I love is when monarch butterflies succeed on a new stand of milkweeds they can fast forward that info ahead into Generations forward.
Excellent, good luck! I am buying Whorled milkweed seeds and plants. I am going to see if I can have some success introducing this into my backyard butterfly garden..
I love combining the various milkweeds with Verbena bonariensis, Tithonia (Mexican sunflower), and Alstroemeria (Inca lily), all great for butterflies!
We just caught the butterfly bug!!! We always encouraged insects but decided to focus on bf's recently Now we are installing an elevated small plot of Tall green milkweed! Hope to see even more !!!! Asclepias Hirtella
@@davethebutterflyguy9841 Thanks , we love your channel !! So far we have been lucky, we only have a handful of common milkweed on the edges , but have gotten daily activity, I think , contrarily , because we live on a big street , the wind funnels them by us
You forgot Asclepias perennis (aquatic milkweed)! It's short in stature, but pairs great with A. incarnata (swamp milkweed). In my area, it flushes out foliage and blooms earlier than swamp milkweed. It's a great appetizer before the larger entree species get going!
I am not to familiar with Heather so I checked it out on line and I see the resemblance. My whorled milkweed I planted is in year 2. It is getting ready to bloom. It has a unique look and I am excited it is doing well.
Poke milkweed would look great in back yard at edge of forest. Had part of tree removed, that was rotted and dead branches falling into yard became dangerous., the other two trunks will fall into forest so left them standing for birds. But now have bare area after the clean up, which The ostrich fern will happily move into if I leave it alone. Planted common milkweed in another area at edge of forest after removing Japanese barberry the birds planted and the milkweed filling in that area nicely, the fern creeping closer so will be interesting to see how that works out. The swamp milkweed coming up in pond and purple milkweed starting* to flower but the leaves curling, so not sure what’s happening. The temperature has been so inconsistent with lots of rain, not to mention the freaky hail storm we had the other day, think it’s all taking toll on purple milkweed, as it is finicky. Hopefully it pulls through. No monarchs yet but lots of other butterflies. Have caterpillars on my carrot tops so I won’t let them be thinned out.
Thanks for the note Terri. Sounds like you are creating a lot of great habitat for monarchs and other butterflies. The carrot tops/parsley and dill attract Black Swallowtail butterflies. The caterpillar looks a bit like a monarch caterpillar. They are beautiful. You should see monarchs with all your milkweed. I have several monarch caterpillars in the garden and I am raising a few indoors. Two just turned into chrysalis this morning. Well done!
@@davethebutterflyguy9841 the monarch showed up today near the common milkweed. Was so happy to see, did not take long for them to find milkweed. I see black swallowtails all over. I am just hoping the chickadees leave the caterpillars alone, they have had their fill of tent caterpillars so far.
Thanks Dave. I'm in MI and I bought my seeds in April. Going to try and stratify for 8 wks. and then germinate. I'll be planting the seedlings in June maybe. Is that soon enough to survive a 1st winter up here?
I moved from the northeast to Florida and I was surprised to see that the Common Milkweed doesn't exist here. Years ago I got a tropical milkweed that is commonly sold here but it is garbage, it is slow growing with tiny leaves and a couple caterpillars are all that's needed to devour the plant. Basically I was attracting monarchs and queens to lay eggs doomed to die of starvation. Then in 2021 my nursery got the Giant Milkweed. It's like a the common milkweed in the form of a bush. It's been great, however I have a problem with wasps stealing the caterpillars.
I don't have a lot of experience with Giant Milkweed. However, I did run across it in Bonita Springs., FL. One plant was thriving with Butterflies, chrysalis's and Caterpillars. Hang in there hopefully it grows and creates enough coverage for the monarch caterpillars. I am attaching the link to my video on Florida monarchs. th-cam.com/video/IjN7of3R7m8/w-d-xo.html
Thank you for the information, it was very helpful! Q: Is the common milkweed the only milkweed that spreads by rhizomes? I believe they also have seed pods The other milkweeds you mentioned, do they spread by seeds only ? Any help would be great TY
Common milkweed and Whorled milkweed both spread by rhizomes and they also have seed pods. Butterfly weed expands by seeds from the pods. I believe the others are driven by seeds also.
The best time to plant is in the fall. The seeds need to cold stratify or go through a freezing period (45-60 days) for them to sprout in the Spring. Plant just a 1/4 inch under the surface and hopefully you will be all set for the Spring. Good luck!
Sylvia, You can buy them at most local garden centers, or buy them on line. They key for success is to cold stratify the seeds by making sure they freeze for 30-60 days. If your climate is cold, planting in the fall works. If not pop them in the freezer and plant in the Spring. Good Luck!
You can get Purple Milkweed online from a garden center and they will mail it to you. It grows best in full sun and medium to dry soil. It is hardy, so it doesn't take much once it is established. It will expand by seeds or thru rhizomes, where the roots grow underground and create new shoots. It takes 2-3 years to get flowers. Perfect for open land or butterfly garden with some room to expand. Blooms in June, butterflies love it and the host plant for monarchs. Good luck!
I hope more people get involved as we are losing so much and monarchs need our help! What I love is when monarch butterflies succeed on a new stand of milkweeds they can fast forward that info ahead into
Generations forward.
Does this mean that the future butterflies will now where to find milkweed?
Starting my swamp milkweeds in pots today :) hi from New England
Excellent, good luck! I am buying Whorled milkweed seeds and plants. I am going to see if I can have some success introducing this into my backyard butterfly garden..
I love combining the various milkweeds with Verbena bonariensis, Tithonia (Mexican sunflower), and Alstroemeria (Inca lily), all great for butterflies!
Thanks for sharing!
Greetings from Roseville Michigan near Lake St.Clair, I'm a monarch butterfly rearer
Very cool! What type of milkweed do you use? I just added the Whorled Milkweed to my garden.
@@davethebutterflyguy9841 I use common,swamp and showey
My swamp and my common milkweed are transplanted,I never buy from the nursery's
Informative about root systems. Good to know.
I am glad you found it useful. Take care Johanna!
Absolutely fantastic I for and great details. Also your backyard is amazing!
Thank you so much Dee, I am appreciative of you support of my TH-cam Channel!
Love your videos, very informative
I am glad you enjoy the videos. Thanks for the nice comment!
Thanks!!
I started growing them. Now i pick the seed pods off plants when i see them. I am moving and lookforward to planting them in my new yard.
Nice work, I hope things go well on your move and the creation of new butterfly habitat!
Another great video Dave! Mind if I share to a new gardening group I just joined? Lot's of good info and of course, that awesome DTBG charisma!
Please do! I am glad you liked it!
We just caught the butterfly bug!!! We always encouraged insects but decided to focus on bf's recently
Now we are installing an elevated small plot of Tall green milkweed! Hope to see even more !!!! Asclepias Hirtella
Thanks for sharing. I had not heard of Tall Green Milkweed. I am excited for your expanding garden. I hope the monarchs love your garden!
@@davethebutterflyguy9841 Thanks , we love your channel !!
So far we have been lucky, we only have a handful of common milkweed on the edges , but have gotten daily activity, I think , contrarily , because we live on a big street , the wind funnels them by us
@@davethebutterflyguy9841 oh and will let you know if the tall green milkweed takes off or not
You forgot Asclepias perennis (aquatic milkweed)! It's short in stature, but pairs great with A. incarnata (swamp milkweed). In my area, it flushes out foliage and blooms earlier than swamp milkweed. It's a great appetizer before the larger entree species get going!
Thanks for the tips! I don't know much of this aquatic milkweed. Seems like it is another great opportunity to help out the Monach!
I like how the whorled milkweed looks like Heather!
I am not to familiar with Heather so I checked it out on line and I see the resemblance. My whorled milkweed I planted is in year 2. It is getting ready to bloom. It has a unique look and I am excited it is doing well.
Poke milkweed would look great in back yard at edge of forest. Had part of tree removed, that was rotted and dead branches falling into yard became dangerous., the other two trunks will fall into forest so left them standing for birds. But now have bare area after the clean up, which The ostrich fern will happily move into if I leave it alone. Planted common milkweed in another area at edge of forest after removing Japanese barberry the birds planted and the milkweed filling in that area nicely, the fern creeping closer so will be interesting to see how that works out. The swamp milkweed coming up in pond and purple milkweed starting* to flower but the leaves curling, so not sure what’s happening. The temperature has been so inconsistent with lots of rain, not to mention the freaky hail storm we had the other day, think it’s all taking toll on purple milkweed, as it is finicky. Hopefully it pulls through. No monarchs yet but lots of other butterflies. Have caterpillars on my carrot tops so I won’t let them be thinned out.
Thanks for the note Terri. Sounds like you are creating a lot of great habitat for monarchs and other butterflies. The carrot tops/parsley and dill attract Black Swallowtail butterflies. The caterpillar looks a bit like a monarch caterpillar. They are beautiful. You should see monarchs with all your milkweed. I have several monarch caterpillars in the garden and I am raising a few indoors. Two just turned into chrysalis this morning. Well done!
@@davethebutterflyguy9841 the monarch showed up today near the common milkweed. Was so happy to see, did not take long for them to find milkweed. I see black swallowtails all over. I am just hoping the chickadees leave the caterpillars alone, they have had their fill of tent caterpillars so far.
Dave I hope or maybe you know or somebody that knows how to breed dragonflies and damselflies.
Sorry, I have no help I can offer on these topics. Good luck with your search.
Thanks Dave. I'm in MI and I bought my seeds in April. Going to try and stratify for 8 wks. and then germinate. I'll be planting the seedlings in June maybe. Is that soon enough to survive a 1st winter up here?
Jeff, well done. I think your plan will work. I had seeds I planted that sprouted year 1, but then many more sprouted year 2. Good Luck!
I moved from the northeast to Florida and I was surprised to see that the Common Milkweed doesn't exist here. Years ago I got a tropical milkweed that is commonly sold here but it is garbage, it is slow growing with tiny leaves and a couple caterpillars are all that's needed to devour the plant. Basically I was attracting monarchs and queens to lay eggs doomed to die of starvation. Then in 2021 my nursery got the Giant Milkweed. It's like a the common milkweed in the form of a bush. It's been great, however I have a problem with wasps stealing the caterpillars.
I don't have a lot of experience with Giant Milkweed. However, I did run across it in Bonita Springs., FL. One plant was thriving with Butterflies, chrysalis's and Caterpillars. Hang in there hopefully it grows and creates enough coverage for the monarch caterpillars. I am attaching the link to my video on Florida monarchs.
th-cam.com/video/IjN7of3R7m8/w-d-xo.html
Thank you for the information, it was very helpful!
Q: Is the common milkweed the only milkweed that spreads by rhizomes? I believe they also have seed pods
The other milkweeds you mentioned, do they spread by seeds only ?
Any help would be great
TY
Common milkweed and Whorled milkweed both spread by rhizomes and they also have seed pods. Butterfly weed expands by seeds from the pods. I believe the others are driven by seeds also.
When is a good time to plant my common milkweed seeds?
Near Milwaukee Wisconsin
The best time to plant is in the fall. The seeds need to cold stratify or go through a freezing period (45-60 days) for them to sprout in the Spring. Plant just a 1/4 inch under the surface and hopefully you will be all set for the Spring. Good luck!
Where is the best place to buy milkweed seeds.
Sylvia, You can buy them at most local garden centers, or buy them on line. They key for success is to cold stratify the seeds by making sure they freeze for 30-60 days. If your climate is cold, planting in the fall works. If not pop them in the freezer and plant in the Spring. Good Luck!
Consider Sullivants and Showy….
What is your secret for the purple milkweed?
You can get Purple Milkweed online from a garden center and they will mail it to you. It grows best in full sun and medium to dry soil. It is hardy, so it doesn't take much once it is established. It will expand by seeds or thru rhizomes, where the roots grow underground and create new shoots. It takes 2-3 years to get flowers. Perfect for open land or butterfly garden with some room to expand. Blooms in June, butterflies love it and the host plant for monarchs. Good luck!