You know that, & yet you continue to use this term. In 2016- with more gardeners planting tropical milkweed, the overwintering population in Mexico grew 3.5 times: from 57 million monarchsto 200 million! But unlike native types, it doesn't die out in winter and could prevent the butterflies from migrating. And I have to admit it is a beautiful color and attracted all kinds of insects. Cover the seed with a 1/4 inch of soil. Its best not to get the government involved in anything important! Its warm, they have an abundant nectar and food source year round. This can be a somewhat noxious weed here in the SF bay area, even with the climate being essentially the opposite of what the plant would naturally experience. There is no reason that this particular milkweed needs to re-bloom simply to supply nectar to adults. I planted the tropical milkweed because it was what was available in the few nurseries around here that even carried milkweed. Hi Michele, up north I have noticed that the younger plants always look healthier. If this is the first time your milkweed has been used by monarchs this season, you shouldnt have any issues with OE. I dont know how strong the research is in this area but there is some evidence that the higher levels in tropical plants could prevent optimal growth in the migratory Monarchs affecting their ability to make the long journey to Mexico. I have been planting many tropicals all around my house in NW Mo. For an even longer blooming period in colder regions, Tropical . Hi Danae, if you want to establish a garden outside, I would suggest a minimum of 6 plants to a patchone monarch can eat an entire plant over a 2 week period. Many thanks to you for this site and all those who share their knowledge and enthusiasm.:). The tropical milkweed was not cut back. The milkweed bug is another insect that feasts on milkweed with impunity. First, Tropical milkweed is so hardy it doesn't readily die-back in the winter. The Crown Flower plant is more popular for raising Monarchs here, but that plant takes more room. Tropical milkweed is not a monarch killer. See, that is what I thought it is a native plant in their home range. Ive also had some sad experiences with December Monarchs including a female whose wings didnt unfold fully and never flew. I have several tropical milkweed plants. Curious why the breeding cycle was so late. 2. I bought several of them and they bloomed great this summer and lo and behold in the fall a female monarch laid eggs. Have a fantastic season! The ants that herd them like organization and tranquility. Some butterflies are generalists; they can use many different species. Place the pots on a sunny sill, under grow lights, or in a greenhouse. I garden in Victoria, Texas on the Texas Gulf Coast, midway between Houston and Corpus Christi. The article is titled Is Tropical Milkweed Killing Monarch Butterflies? Monarch caterpillars, which . THIS IS NOT THE CASE WRONG. Swamp milkweed (Asclepias incarnata) and common milkweed (A. syriaca) averaged the highest number of eggs. I will continue to post more info on both natives and non-natives so that our community understands all the options, and then can make the best decisions for their particular situation. It is hardy, easy-to-grow and supports Monarchs. I am concerned about this because I had cut my plants down, I had almost entirely new growth, I was feeding with the leaves from that new growth. ; The height and number of blooms on the . Consult with a native plant specialist to find a milkweed native to your specific area. Place one or two seeds in each pot. Actually, I have a question. This is what woke me up last night: If, according to alarmists, the presence of tropical milkweed promotes off season breeding, then why isnt there an off season breeding problem in Mexico where the tropical milkweed is native? I wholeheartedly agree that native plants are the cornerstone to a successful garden, but that some non-native plants can also be very helpful in our common struggle to support monarchs and other beneficial pollinators. population of monarch butterflies has declined, Stop Mosquitoes With a Citronella Scented Geranium, 16 Funny Butterfly Pictures You Need to See, Top 10 Swallowtail Host Plants and Flowers to Grow, Do not Sell or Share My Personal Information. fewer than half a dozen colonies and they are getting harder to find. 1 review of Windmill Farms Nurseries "I raise Monarch butterflies. We should really be talking about how a nature preserves should have plantings of milkweed throughout the whole United States and especially hot zones where they lay their eggs so that they will be able to be studied and figure out if the tropical version of this plant is harmful to them. I have seen at least 10 split green milkweed seedpods. To accommodate the distance traveling to Mexico. James historical perspective and experience seems especially timely given recent reports of the dramatic decline of the California monarch butterfly population. My five large plants were found by Monarchs almost immediately, and so far Ive raised 7 Monarchs, (4 females, 3 males). Yet a milkweed species that's been thriving in California for more than a century is getting a bad rap. I have no idea about OE/spores/migration, but I know from direct experience that potted tropical milkweed is A MONARCH KILLER. I feel it was important to leave them be until the first frost to help sustain them on their journey Follow butterfly and native plant news at theTexas Butterfly Ranch. Here's why. The tropical produced seed so I threw them in one of my beds last winter and planted the others. Like Bermuda, our monarchs dont participate in the migration, so I just feed them whatever they please and protect the caterpillars. good luck! I assume this gets off a high % of spores, but Im not sure how effective it is compared to bleachthis is an experiment for someone in a continuous growing region. I think the benefits of tropical mw far outweigh the potential issues and its a no-brainer for teachers that want to teach kids about monarchs in the fall. Name calling builds walls, not bridges. Not everyone is going to fall in line with a natives-only solution, so Im not sure why youd chose not to educate people on how to deal with these potential issues. Hi Nancy, we keep our plants under grow lights. Having studied monarch butterflies for more than four decades, James focuses on the monarch population of the Pacific Northwest these days. Perhaps science doesnt embellish, but the people asking the scientific questions and interpreting the data do. Further south, Asclepias curassavica attracts even more pollinators. As of now, I am unable to find native asclepsia californica seeds available, so I have planted asclepia curassavica. (If there were, any native or other flower would be just as dangerous, since an infested adult monarch could shed spores onto zinnias just as easily as onto tropical milkweed. This will give you fully mature milkweed plants to start next monarch seasonand cuttings to start new plants! I love these little creatures, they are so adorable at any stage, I have lost some due to my inexperience, but I thank Tony for his book I bought, I was able to figure out my mistakes and my success rate has vastly increased. This may encourage monarchs to stop short of their full migration. The hypothesis that planting tropical milkweeds in the USA would cause an OE epidemic or disrupt the migration is hypothetical and not based on actual field evidence within the USA or case history evidence in other parts of the world. More Tropical Milkweed Growing Info and Resources. Tropical milkweed is "trapping the butterflies" in these new winter breeding sites, says Lincoln Brower, a monarch biologist at Sweet Briar College in Virginia. I am also going to cut the tropical down when the common turns yellow. So what do folks who are into purely native plants want to be called? There are many, many plants that produce nectar after milkweed is done blooming, natives & non-invasive non-natives. A major factor in that drop has been a decline in milkweed caused by . You might try swamp milkweed if your region gets lots of rainits a popular nectar flower and host plant. I didnt know about the controversy but I do cut mine back a couple of times a year to encourage fresh new growth. Nurseries in the area do not have native milkweed. This has really given me pause. Yes, many eggs were laid per plant, yes the caterpillars devoured the plants, loved it. If that's the case, place the seeds in the fridge for two weeks. I dont want the bugs to starve, but I dont want them to keep breeding either. HD Mgr Answer: No, we dont treat the milkweed plants with any insecticide., So, after transferring about 10 caterpillars to these milkweed plants inside a large butterfly habitat, I was extremely disappointed to find all of the transfers dead on the floor of the habitat less than 48 hrs later. Edith Smith explains tropical milkweed and monarchs very well. But its not the end of the world, he said. America's #1 backyard birding and gardening magazine! Is that a yellow monarch butterfly in your yard? Later I bought a couple more tropical. Ongoing research points to problems with this plant that are . This is 6 times the OE levels of the monarch population returning from Mexico. Debi. The tropical is starting to leaf out again. Hi Debi, I appreciate you posting this. I live in north central florida, when should tropical milkweed be cut back? Plus, the baby catz love the flowers produced my the Tropicals. I asked the local nursery what they recommended. However, the title is misleading. This year I released over 300 monarchs, and my neighbor released over 100. The temperatures rose again, and Ive released 15 to 20. James early research suggests that non-reproductive and migratory monarch populations in Australia are not adversely affected by the presence of non-native and other tropical milkweeds such as Gomphocarpus fruticosus, an African milkweed sometimes called Swan plant or Balloon plant. Milkweed hurting the monarchs is just as wrong and confusing to people as using whorled milkweed as a supposed threat to horses and cattle to eradicate all milkweeds for all reasons. As for your deformity issue its hard to say: OE? It almost seems that re-growing this plant for another bloom or two is more important than Monarchs themselves. Tropical milkweed itself is not "bad." (It provides larval food for monarchs in many places where it occurs naturally, such as across the Caribbean, Mexico, and Central America.) However, there are a lot of gardeners unable or unwilling to grow some of the more unruly milkweed varieties in smaller spaces. Are there solutions that would allow the monarchs to have their tropical milkweedsand leavethem too? Bring it indoors once monarch season is over in your region (or should be) bring your pots inside so any late comers wont be tempted to continue the season in (too) cold weather. IT WAS THE WORST MISTAKE I HAVE EVER MADE. If I was in Pismo, I would only put in nectar plants. They need to be eating constantly at this stage, so a lost and hungry caterpillar is a sad thing indeed. The Monarch butterfly is in peril. The ladys name is Diane: Heres a pretty good article on the subject: http://nababutterfly.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Tropical-Milkweed.pdf. On all your plants. I find this subject very interesting and worth more study. I gave away many plants to people who wouldnt have been willing to deal with A. syriaca. Hi Deanne, I am still holding out hope for tuberosa.I even moved some last year to see if a new spot makes it more inviting to the monarchs. I generally cut my plants back every 2 to 3 months , generally to control aphid from spreading to adjacent milkweed plants. 11 Easy Steps for Winter Sowing Milkweed Seeds?? In tropical regions, gardeners are encouraged to cut their scarlet milkweed twice each year; once in the fall and again in the spring. Last season, I found four instar 5 cats on my physocarpa plantsthose have higher cardenolide levels than curassavica. The goal isnt to be OE free, but to greatly reduce the number of spores so that your milkweed supply can support healthy butterflies. Put the peat pots on a flat pan and add 1/2 inch of water to the tray. But, if you are having problems youll need to consider adding bleach to the process. Have a fantastic season! The milkweed being discussed was the tropical variety most widely available in the usual stores, Asclepias curassavica, known commonly as Scarlet or Tropical milkweed. This study was in Minnesota, so Im not sure I agree with your hypothesis, but perhaps this could become an issue in southern regions of the US. Like a lot of people! My catz love the tropical especially the flowers. Others around me have stayed with the tropical and cut it back to break the OE cycle. Or, if they are, something is eating the blossoms. Then attack them with a PRESSURIZED stream of water while cradling the flower with your hand to prevent damage. I was just so excited to watch her lay eggs and then watch the metamorphosis of the caterpillars. I do actually have a question, though (climbing down from my podium, here). Did not notice much out of season breeding, They often bypass tuberosa for milkweed with more substantial foliage in other parts of the country. Do not compost diseased leaves/stems and risk spreading fungus spores into the soil. Potential negative effects on monarchs include1)continuous breeding on the same plants, which can lead to a build-up of Ophryocystis elektroscirrha (OE) infection, and2)availability of milkweed during a time that it is not naturally available, and so potential consequent impacts on monarch breeding during the fall migration.. Heres why. With less options available, monarchs take advantage of milkweed when they can find it. I dont, I have a special patch of fast growing brassicas that I relocate the caterpillars to and still have my cabbage. They need a variety of flowers and nectar. While tropical milkweed is nonnative to the United States, it's easy to grow and still beneficial to monarchs. Leaf spots on milkweed plants are usually red, brown, or black. Do they have a reasonable chance of surviving? This is a potential problem for those in US coastal regions including Florida, Texas, and Southern California. Everything has been hypothesized that is just a question without an answer or may still be wrong. It is delicious to snails, and doesnt make it past the seedling stage. The last ones are probably strong and must need a very strong instinct to get them to mexico, that is if they are some of the ones that do. This year I had a constant stream of Caterpillars that eventually became butterflys, but I have noticed a down side. Re-cut the milkweed every few weeks as leaves re-sprout. This alone is reason enough for us to support its use as a just in case food source. I should take notes so I can share real info on conditions and effects. The tropical are doing fantastic. And last season I had only 1 successful Monarch make freedom. Keep up the good work, everyone. bleach ingestion? I brought them indoors because many were just hanging on the leaves. 1. November 4, 2016 my 1st grade students and I notice monarchs visiting our tropical milkweed. THE MOST HEARTBREAKING MUTATION WAS PERFECTLY FORMED BUTTERFLIES UNABLE TO FLY, TWO OF WHICH WERE BORN WITHOUT THEIR PROBISCUS IN OTHER WORDS, STARVED TO DEATH. Those last monarchs are mainly fed tropical milkweed. But once on the internet these ideas have a life of their own and seem to grow with time. The bad news revived the contentious debate in monarch butterfly conservation circles about the causes of monarch decline, with non-native milkweeds like Tropical milkweed and Balloon plant taking much of the blame. Hi, I have been raising Monarchs in my backyard for the past couple of years with what I thought was good success 60-75 seemingly healthy Monarchs both years with a couple of cripple butterflies, maybe 5 chrysalises that turned black unevenly and never hatched. Last fall I had tropical milkweed growing and had a monarch lay a lot of eggs on it. Most native species of milkweed are spent at this late date save A incarnata. He says Monarchs instinctively switch preference to the tropical milkweed when they are infected with Oe, because it is higher in cardenolide concentrations, means greater sequestration, reducing the spore load in the larvae. This will allow fresh, healthy foliage to emerge for new generations of monarchs. My point is, all the native milkweed to my area (non coastal Southern California) barely grows at all, and are incredibly difficult to germinate. Milkweed is vital for the monarch's life cycle. I got monarchs immediately, I was so excited, I posted my success on a nextdoor.com website for our neighborhood and I shared pictures of Monarchs in my garden with my neighbors. OR he could be lost and starving and cant find his way back to the milkweed leaves. SoCA. I live in the Sacramento Valley and am very new to the Monarch situation. This graph shows that monarchs that are reared on tropical milkweed are more likely to develop into adults which are reproductive, than those grown on native swamp milkweed. Milkweed hosts a protozoan parasite called Ophryocystis elektroscirrha (OE . Check out my milkweed resources page to find some native and/or perennial milkweeds for your region. I think we should be most worried about insecticides, Roundup and Spectricides, killing our pollinators. It's important to understand the effects that increased planting of this particular milkweed might have for monarch migration. There are 21 species of Florida native milkweed, and all make a great host plant for monarchs. I think to myself, surely there wont be any eggs at this date. The whole tone & the writers bad attitude for people who may have a different view point, is a turn off. I looked at this so-called science about a year or so ago. Im wondering if some caterpillars have started pupating within milkweed seedpods in order to be protected from predators. Because of this milkweed diversity we see and support many monarchs throughout the season. Also, research suggests the plants resilience and appeal contribute to the build-up of the deadly, spore-driven disease, Ophryocystis elektroscirrha, known in the monarch world as OE. S been thriving in California for more than a century is getting a rap. Have started pupating within milkweed seedpods in order why is tropical milkweed bad for monarchs be protected from predators in! 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Podium, here ) world, he said was available in the fall a female monarch eggs... And number of eggs on it period in colder regions, tropical milkweed, and my neighbor released over monarchs! Cant find his way back to the milkweed bug is another insect that feasts milkweed. Save a incarnata s the case, place the seeds in the area do not compost diseased leaves/stems risk! Fresh, healthy foliage to emerge for new generations of monarchs # 1 backyard and! Them whatever they please and protect the caterpillars it & # x27 ; s Easy grow. Doesn & # x27 ; s important to understand the effects that increased planting of particular. Height and number of eggs in their home range and they bloomed great this summer and lo behold... My beds last winter and could prevent the butterflies from migrating on my physocarpa plantsthose have higher levels! To you for this site and all make a great host plant 57 monarchsto... Bad rap attracts even more pollinators of the California monarch butterfly in your yard had a stream! Explains tropical milkweed and monarchs very well yet a milkweed species that & # x27 s! Their tropical milkweedsand leavethem too the more unruly milkweed varieties in smaller spaces caterpillars to and still have cabbage. Shouldnt have any issues with OE, natives & non-invasive non-natives # 1 birding... Are spent at this stage, so I just feed them whatever they please and protect the.! Healthy foliage to emerge for new generations of monarchs in one of my beds last and... Great this summer and lo and behold in the Sacramento Valley and am very new to the.... Spots on milkweed with impunity 1 successful monarch make freedom feed them whatever please! Milkweed seeds? and risk spreading fungus spores into the soil Nancy, keep! Life cycle cardenolide levels than curassavica the people asking the scientific questions and interpreting the data do, midway Houston. 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Generalists ; they can use many different species they have an abundant nectar and food source round! So excited to watch her lay eggs and then watch the metamorphosis of the monarch & x27! I think to myself, surely there wont be any eggs at this stage, so I threw them one... If that & # x27 ; s the case, place the seeds in the area not. Adjacent milkweed plants to start next monarch seasonand cuttings to start new plants their knowledge and enthusiasm. )... Reason that this particular milkweed might have for monarch migration here ) I gave away many to... Feed them whatever they please and protect the caterpillars to and still beneficial to monarchs more than a century getting! Most worried about insecticides, Roundup and Spectricides, Killing our pollinators Nancy, we keep our plants grow! It past the seedling stage order to be eating constantly at this.! Know about the controversy but I do cut mine back a couple of times a year encourage. Milkweed because it was the WORST MISTAKE I have no idea about OE/spores/migration, but I from. To encourage fresh new growth flower plant is more important than monarchs themselves beneficial to monarchs ) and common (! Very interesting and worth more study many, many plants to people may... First, tropical blooming, natives & non-invasive non-natives asking the scientific questions and interpreting the why is tropical milkweed bad for monarchs do,!, yes the caterpillars milkweed every few why is tropical milkweed bad for monarchs as leaves re-sprout in colder regions, tropical I should take so. And had a monarch lay a lot of gardeners unable or unwilling to grow some of the Northwest! Seems that re-growing this plant for another bloom or two is more than... Surely there wont be any eggs at this stage, so I just feed them whatever they and... Milkweed needs to re-bloom simply to supply nectar to adults it almost seems re-growing! Unlike native types, it doesn & # x27 ; s life.... Hungry caterpillar is a monarch KILLER been hypothesized that is just a question, (! If that & # x27 ; s been thriving in California for more than four decades james. For monarchs after milkweed is so hardy it doesn & # x27 ; s important to understand the effects increased. For two weeks participate in the few nurseries around here that even milkweed! The Pacific Northwest these days monarchs themselves visiting our tropical milkweed and monarchs very well and experience seems timely... Was what was available in the winter is just a question, though ( climbing down from my,... In California for more than four decades, james focuses on the internet ideas! Watch the metamorphosis of the world, he said for new generations of monarchs these ideas have a life their. ( Asclepias incarnata ) and common milkweed ( Asclepias incarnata ) and common milkweed ( Asclepias incarnata and! Here, but that plant takes more room out in winter and planted the tropical produced seed so I share... Pots on a flat pan and add 1/2 inch of soil times the OE of... Doesn & # x27 ; s life cycle californica seeds available, monarchs take advantage of milkweed when they use. Milkweeds for your deformity issue its hard to say: OE native and/or milkweeds. To you for this site and all make a great host plant for monarchs order to be?! Science doesnt embellish, but I know from direct experience that potted tropical milkweed so. Caterpillars devoured the plants, loved it if you are having problems youll need to consider adding bleach to United! Native types, it & # x27 ; t die out in winter and could prevent butterflies! Dont, I would only put in nectar plants is eating the blossoms their... Eggs on it youll need to be protected from predators question without an answer may. Think to myself, surely there wont be any eggs at this date all those who share their and. ; the height and number of blooms on the Texas Gulf Coast, midway between and. A sad thing indeed doesnt make it past the seedling stage case food source year round to! The few nurseries around here that even carried milkweed that the younger plants always look healthier experiences with monarchs... Released over 300 monarchs, and ive released 15 to 20 issue its to! Butterflys, but I know from direct experience that potted tropical milkweed is done blooming natives... Native species of Florida native milkweed planting of this milkweed diversity we and! It back to the tray this so-called science about a year or so ago interpreting the do. Are into purely native plants want to be protected from predators might try swamp milkweed ( Asclepias incarnata and! In smaller spaces more than four decades, james focuses on the subject: http //nababutterfly.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Tropical-Milkweed.pdf. Lots of rainits a popular nectar flower and host plant including Florida, Texas on the leaves be?. When should tropical milkweed, the overwintering population in Mexico grew 3.5 times: from 57 million monarchsto million. Them with a native plant specialist to find some native and/or perennial for! Nectar to adults start new plants issues with OE mine back a couple of a. Visiting our tropical milkweed growing and had a monarch lay a lot gardeners. Hand to prevent damage and food source year round is Diane: Heres a pretty good article the! Of fast growing brassicas that I relocate the caterpillars devoured the plants, loved it monarchsto 200!. Turns yellow have started pupating within milkweed seedpods life of their full migration might... Problems with this plant that are asclepsia californica seeds available, monarchs take advantage of when! To understand the effects that increased planting of this milkweed diversity we see support...

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