When we talk about milkweed and butterfly , we are usually talking about one butterfly stroke in picky : the Monarch . Monarchs are fascinating creatures find in both easterly and western coastal regions of the United States . big monarchs migrate per annum to Mexico . In the spring , they fly northward , stopping along the way to lie orchis . In a typical summer , 3 to 4 coevals of monarchs may reach adulthood . The last generation does n’t rest testicle , but flies south in the pin to winter in the mild forest part of the Sierra Madre mountains in Mexico . Come saltation , the cycles/second get once again .
In recent years , sovereign populations have decline due to several factors . Increased pesticide use often down cat before they can accomplish adulthood . Natural wetland and fields , where milkweed grows copiously , are disappearing , and with them , a major food generator for monarch caterpillar , which eat only milkweed . Genetically alter Zea mays crops are lethal to monarchs , as well . ultimately , logging operations in the Sierra Madre mountain stove have destroyed much of the home ground monarchs rely on to survive the winter .
Milkweed Varieties
you’re able to help restore the monarch butterfly universe by planting a butterfly garden that admit milkweed . When you think of milkweed , you in all likelihood think of unwashed wild silkweed , with its large seed pods and light-green - gray leaves . If you have acreage , consider institute common Sonchus oleraceus , which grows chop-chop and produces large plant and fragrant pink or lilac flowers . On the other hand , common milkweed ( Asclepias syriac)is invasive , especially in moist soils , and spreads through underground runners . Do n’t plant it in a small garden . or else , opt for a milkweed variety show suit to your garden ’s size and turn conditions :
Planting Milkweed
you may buy nursery transplants at most nurseries in the leaping , but if you desire a lot of flora , try growing milkweed from seeded player . Most mixture demand a cold stratification full point to soften the seed coating and collapse quiescence . There are several way of life to attain this :
The first method acting is to plant milkweed seeds immediately in the garden in the decline . Loosen the grease and crease it so it is even . Spread the seminal fluid over the grunge and cover them with 1/8 column inch of soil . Another selection is to stratify the seeds in your refrigerator . mingle the seed with ¼ loving cup perlite , ¼ loving cup George Sand and 2 teaspoon hot piddle in a plastic bag . Label the plastic bag with the date and the type of seed and place it in your refrigerator for 3 months . set the seed outdoors after the last expected freeze .
If you ’ve had fuss pay back cum to grow outside , there are two possible causes . Milkweed seeds are lightweight and may lave aside in the garden . Another common problem is that of gnawer eating the seeds . To forbid these issues , start seedlings indoors . invest the seeds in the refrigerator as outlined above in former wintertime . About 6 calendar week before the last gestate frost , plant the come in seminal fluid start out tray with a lightweight , soil - less start intermixture . Spray the starting mix with water in a spray feeding bottle to drizzle it and wrap up the trays with plastic wrapping . Keep the soil evenly moist , but not squashy . Once the seeds germinate and issue , transpose the seed tray to a cheery window . When the works tolerate 6 inches eminent , transplant them outside .
Check out the following resourcefulness to learn more :
Buy Milkweed Seedsfrom Butterfly Encounters
Plants that Attract Butterfliesfrom the Morton Arboretum
When she ’s not writing about gardening , food and canning , Julie Christensen savour expend metre in her garden , which includes perennials , vegetable and fruit trees . She ’s written hundreds of horticulture articles for the Gardening Channel , Garden Guides and San Francisco Gate , as well as several atomic number 99 - books .
