I started growing common milkweed 2 years ago. Last year, I had about 22 monarch caterpillars feeding on my milkweed. They stripped it bare. My biggest problem has been yellow aphids on the milkweed. I lost a lot of lower leaves due to them. I've done a lot of research on them & hope to keep them under control this summer. I hope to have much more milkweed for the caterpillars to munch. I'm looking forward to hearing from milkweed growers from different parts of the country. Save the Monarchs!
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Feel free to reply to any comment by clicking the "Reply" button.I have 4 species of milkweed on my 4 acres. I grow Joe Pye Weed, cup plant, compass plants for the swallowtails & the restored prairie provides other abundance. I get question marks, red admirals, red spotted blues, common blues, painted ladies. Every little bit helps.
Mooolah
Level 8
May 11, 2018
1
We have a large butterfly/hummingbird garden. My wife and I go to an arboretum for advice on what to plant for the Southern Ohio specific butterflies. We've had great success. Also hummingbird-hawk moths, and a wide variety of bees/hornets/wasps.
We always look forward to the arrival of the hummingbirds. Sitting on the verandah in the afternoon with the wife, a good Chardonnay, and snacks.... and watching the garden is much better than cable tv. 
bigpawbullets
Level 9
Apr 29, 2018
1
We have a large butterfly/hummingbird garden. My wife and I go to an arboretum for advice on what to plant for the Southern Ohio specific butterflies. We've had great success. Also hummingbird-hawk moths, and a wide variety of bees/hornets/wasps.
We always look forward to the arrival of the hummingbirds. Sitting on the verandah in the afternoon with the wife, a good Chardonnay, and snacks.... and watching the garden is much better than cable tv.
bigpawbullets
Level 9
Apr 29, 2018
0
I've been looking into growing milkweed here in Albuquerque. My two biggest challenges: (1) Albuquerque is high desert. It's both mountain and desert, and it's ecosystem is not like either. It's completely different from my native Michigan. (2) My growing space is limited to my balcony. I have a gorgeous container garden, but in not sure how milkweed will like it.
I know it's possible. I'm reading what I can as I can. I'll be heading to my local garden store next week.
Kris725
Level 5
Apr 28, 2018
1
Here in central Illinois, I grow common milkweed in pots. MW has a deep taproot, so a taller deeper pot is better than a round shallow one, and it should be in the sun at least a few hours per day. Give it a try. Let us know how it works for you and if you are able to attract monarchs.
Even though I live in an area of that is very close to botanical garden, and almost everyone in the neighborhood has flowerbeds, it took three years for me to be able to count on wild butterflies laying eggs on my milkweed. Maybe if you do what I did, and purchase caterpillars for the first couple of years, their descendents will be genetically imprinted to find your location.
If you are on the east side of the continental divide, you can order your butterfly larva from butterflybushes.com, which is located in Pennsylvania. The drawback is that they do not take "pre-orders" and do not have larva available until at least the middle of June. They ship priority mail, and I believe the price for 20 larva including shipping is about $35. Other suppliers require overnight air which doubles the cost. Possibly if you research it, you may find someplace where you can purchase and pick up on-site.
Save the monarchs
@PappyOnWings Thank you!!
Good for you! Aphids will be a nuisance, but a healthy plant will take them in stride. Stressed plants, like those grown in shade or too much/little water, are prone to more severe infestations.
Usually, on healthy plants, the parasites and predators keep the critters under control.
I'm glad to hear you're doing your part to save the Monarch.
Leafhead
Level 8
Apr 28, 2018
4
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Posted by TerriCitySulpher butterfly from caterpillar to pupa to adult butterfly.
Posted by TerriCitySulpher butterfly from caterpillar to pupa to adult butterfly.
Posted by TerriCitySulpher butterfly from caterpillar to pupa to adult butterfly.
Posted by TerriCitySulpher butterfly from caterpillar to pupa to adult butterfly.
Posted by LeafheadAsclepias sullivantii, the Sullivant's Prairie Milkweed. Taken at a way station in Middleton, WI
Posted by LeafheadCeropegia woodii Hoya carnosa Both plants bloom at night and attract lots of cool moths
Posted by LeafheadCeropegia woodii Hoya carnosa Both plants bloom at night and attract lots of cool moths
Posted by DAB456What kind is this? I think I know, but would like another opinion.
Posted by bigpawbulletsNot sure what these guys are. But suddenly we seem to be getting a few of them in the "Habitat":
Posted by bigpawbulletsSilly meme. But an attractive butterfly. Photoshopped or real?
Posted by MikeECI posted this earlier In the Gardeners group, but had actually intended to post it here. Those of you who are members of both groups get to see it twice ?
Posted by MikeECI posted this earlier In the Gardeners group, but had actually intended to post it here. Those of you who are members of both groups get to see it twice ?
Posted by LeafheadMy latest visitor to the feeder, a Hackberry Emperor
Posted by MikeECI managed to overwinter three Eastern black swallowtail chrysalises in my unheated garage and released them about a month ago.
Posted by MikeECI managed to overwinter three Eastern black swallowtail chrysalises in my unheated garage and released them about a month ago.
Posted by MikeECI managed to overwinter three Eastern black swallowtail chrysalises in my unheated garage and released them about a month ago.