Comments on: Don’t Make This Mistake When You Plant Milkweed (A How-To Guide)

By: Barbara Cowen

Barbara Cowen — Tue, 17 Sep 2024 20:50:14 +0000

I live in NE Indiana & I have a beautiful patch of Milkweed in our garden, which seems to be the Common Milkweed or the Swamp Milkweed by your descriptions above, but I never see Monarch Caterpillars on any of it. I see an occasional Monarch butterfly come by, but few & far between all spring-summer long. The mauve/white/pink blooms are gorgeous when they come on & the greenery is very healthy every year. It’s been about 5 years now since I planted it, some that I harvested from the side of the road out in the country nearby. I just can’t believe I never see any Caterpillars eating the leaves. My Sister in Florida has tons of them & they always consume every leaf in her Milkweed Garden. I don’t understand??? I tried to specifically do this for the Monarchs. We have tons of bees, yellow jackets, even the “Milkweed bug” you showed with the orange & black body, but no Caterpillars ever. What could be wrong??

By: Ron Buchenroth

Ron Buchenroth — Thu, 05 Sep 2024 14:58:10 +0000

Should milk weed be mowed off in late fall or early winter? When will the last eggs hatch? I do not want to mow the plants off and harm the eggs, caterpillars, or butterflies.

By: Christopher Dobbs

Christopher Dobbs — Wed, 21 Aug 2024 00:48:19 +0000

I really appreciate your knowledge I’m growing milkweed from seeds and wanted to know the best way to grow them successfully I remember the migrations from the late 50’s and early 60’s The sky was literally full of monarchs….a huge dark cloud for as far as you could see and everyone came out to watch that amazing event….if only we knew then what we know now

By: Erica

Erica — Sun, 21 Apr 2024 14:31:04 +0000

In reply to John Hammond.

Try contacting your local county extension service office. They usually have a Master Gardener group & can give you amazing info…& they are excellent resources for all things native – most MGs or the groups hold native plant sales & are usually happy to also plant-swap and/or mentor new people by sharing their plants via cuttings or when thinning the plot. Hope this helps!!

By: Annette Rudzewicz

Annette Rudzewicz — Thu, 04 Apr 2024 14:29:51 +0000

I have seen several caterpillars on my milkweed plants and then suddenly they are gone. I never see the cocoon. Any ideas what happens? Thank-you