Great piece! Sean, on our first year plants (Asclepias Incarnata / Swamp Milkweed), last summer in S. Wis. on an urban lot, we had a heavy infestation of "vampire" aphids at the top of the plants that were guarded 24/7 by one or two dark carpenter ants for days, maybe even weeks. What’s that all about?!!? Haven’t seen much of the orange aphids this year as of 8-9-2024, but it’s been a truly unusual summer in terms of overcast skies, odd, colder temperatures etc. Love what you do, THANKS! Scribed!
I've been planning to get some of those milkweeds. I didn't know they got aphids, so thanks for that. I have no problem squashing aphids with my fingers.
I have about a dozen tuberosa with 3-4 in the middle of our yard that gets hit by sprinklers. Im guessing that’s why those few are struggling? They came up nicely, currently about 8” tall and then a branch or two on each has shriveled 😢 I have six new tuberosa (planted a week ago) in a corner of my yard in a more loose, sandy soil and they still look great. I also have 8 swamp milkweeds, 5 of them in a section that doesn’t get hit by sprinklers but I water that area with a hose. I’ll be curious to see how they do there. I didn’t think that area would be a problem because several of our city parks have swamp milkweed and they don’t have irrigation. Zone 5 Bellevue NE
Milkweed is very confusing. I keep thinking about buying a couple but with the aphid problem and the wildlife eating the plants it seems they’d rarely provide any beauty in the garden. Am I correct that once they are infested if you don’t catch the infestation asap that your entire garden could become infested? Am I correct in thinking the sole reason to plant them is to feed butterflies and would that be at the risk of a battle fighting disease everywhere in the garden? Appreciate clarification. Thanks.
Milkweed is a very worthy garden plant even if you're not specifically interested in butterflies. It blooms for quite awhile and is very hardy regarding heat and cold. And because it's sap is toxic to animals you won't have to worry about it being eaten by deer or rabbits. The aphids that are fond of milkweed will not spread to other plants in the garden, they are very specific to members of the milkweed family and Oleander. If they do get aphids they rarely do much damage and can easily be snipped off or washed away with the hose.
Hi. I bought the plants to attract monarch butterflies. I only had one plant get the aphids. I snipped off like he did in this clip and that was it. No problems since. The flowers are very pretty too.
I have several milkweeds ranging from common, swamp, and butterfly weed. Some years the aphids run wild on the milkweed until something gets rid of them, other years I don't see any aphids at all. The aphids don't spread to any other plants and are easy to get rid of if you want to. I've really fallen in love with milkweed. Once it's established, it's tough as nails. I also see tons of butterflies and native bees on mine.
@@TheGardenersCenter Is there any way you could reply with a link to an image so I'd know how to see them? I know a Monarch Caterpillar, but I have never seen eggs or baby caterpillars.
The Milkweed also grows in dry Eastern Oregon. I saw some growing in a ditch on the side of a farmer's field near the Grand Ronde River.
Great piece! Sean, on our first year plants (Asclepias Incarnata / Swamp Milkweed), last summer in S. Wis. on an urban lot, we had a heavy infestation of "vampire" aphids at the top of the plants that were guarded 24/7 by one or two dark carpenter ants for days, maybe even weeks. What’s that all about?!!? Haven’t seen much of the orange aphids this year as of 8-9-2024, but it’s been a truly unusual summer in terms of overcast skies, odd, colder temperatures etc. Love what you do, THANKS! Scribed!
I've been planning to get some of those milkweeds. I didn't know they got aphids, so thanks for that. I have no problem squashing aphids with my fingers.
Great presentation!
Glad you liked it!
Very informative. Thank you!
Glad you enjoyed it!
I don't even worry about aphids the other bugs control them
Thank you for posting, very informative. 🧡💕
Thanks for watching!
Thank you for information.
You're welcome Carolina!
Love ❤️ thanks for the information
I have about a dozen tuberosa with 3-4 in the middle of our yard that gets hit by sprinklers. Im guessing that’s why those few are struggling? They came up nicely, currently about 8” tall and then a branch or two on each has shriveled 😢 I have six new tuberosa (planted a week ago) in a corner of my yard in a more loose, sandy soil and they still look great. I also have 8 swamp milkweeds, 5 of them in a section that doesn’t get hit by sprinklers but I water that area with a hose. I’ll be curious to see how they do there. I didn’t think that area would be a problem because several of our city parks have swamp milkweed and they don’t have irrigation. Zone 5 Bellevue NE
Milkweed is very confusing. I keep thinking about buying a couple but with the aphid problem and the wildlife eating the plants it seems they’d rarely provide any beauty in the garden. Am I correct that once they are infested if you don’t catch the infestation asap that your entire garden could become infested?
Am I correct in thinking the sole reason to plant them is to feed butterflies and would that be at the risk of a battle fighting disease everywhere in the garden? Appreciate clarification. Thanks.
Milkweed is a very worthy garden plant even if you're not specifically interested in butterflies. It blooms for quite awhile and is very hardy regarding heat and cold. And because it's sap is toxic to animals you won't have to worry about it being eaten by deer or rabbits. The aphids that are fond of milkweed will not spread to other plants in the garden, they are very specific to members of the milkweed family and Oleander. If they do get aphids they rarely do much damage and can easily be snipped off or washed away with the hose.
Hi. I bought the plants to attract monarch butterflies.
I only had one plant get the aphids. I snipped off like he did in this clip and that was it. No problems since. The flowers are very pretty too.
I have several milkweeds ranging from common, swamp, and butterfly weed. Some years the aphids run wild on the milkweed until something gets rid of them, other years I don't see any aphids at all. The aphids don't spread to any other plants and are easy to get rid of if you want to. I've really fallen in love with milkweed. Once it's established, it's tough as nails. I also see tons of butterflies and native bees on mine.
Curious of how deep a container needs to be for asclepias live root,orange yellow flower type? Just received from arbor day.. thanks..
You'd want the pot for your Asclepias to be at least 8 inches deep.
The aphids don't seem to harm the swamp milkweed at all. I just ignore them.
I've been spraying aphids with a water and hydrogen peroxide solution: 4 parts to one. Do you think the Monarchs might survive that?
Your peroxide solution won't harm adult monarchs but be mindful not to spray monarch eggs or caterpillars with it.
@@TheGardenersCenter Is there any way you could reply with a link to an image so I'd know how to see them? I know a Monarch Caterpillar, but I have never seen eggs or baby caterpillars.
I’ve never had aphids ruin a milkweed plant and I’ve had thousands of aphids on a plant. Just leave them be and let the ladybugs come in and feast.
Agreed, often best to just let them be part of the backyard ecosystem.
Just s strong squirt from the hose gets rid of aphids I read
Yes it does! Best way to get rid of them.
Great😮😮😮😮
Only bummer is that they wilt as soon as you cut them. So NOT for a cutting garden!
They should not have destroyed the native plants like that.
There’s no “h” in asclepius, it’s pronounced “asKlepius.”
_just sayin’_