|
Thu, Nov 4, 10 at 15:51
| I'm a 'snowbird' and we have arrived at our winter home in Florida. I have milkweed growing, Asclepias curassavica 'Silky Gold' and the regular orange A. curassavica. The caterpillars have enjoyed the plants, they're still munching, and I have two cocoons on the outside of my window frame.
My question is about plant management. Should I cut back the milkweed stalks that have no leaves? Or will they re-leaf? I don't have any seeds forming but I have a few leftovers from my last year's PA garden that I plan to start so there are more leaves for them next season. Thanks for suggestions.
|
Follow-Up Postings:
|
| I wouldn't cut the stalks back Marcia. Mine re-leafs. You are saying that you have Monarch chrysalides on the window frame? They'd be safer inside a container, but I don't know if you are interested in doing the cat raising thing. The butterfly eggs, caterpillars,and chrysalides are eaten by many creatures in the wild. |
|
- Posted by marcia_pa5 PA5 & FL9b (My Page) on Fri, Nov 5, 10 at 9:45
| Thanks for the advice. I won't prune the plants; I don't mind the bare sticks. I saw some young milkweed plants at Lowe's and I'll buy a few to plant until I get a chance to grow seeds. I would rather not be responsible for raising the guys inside. I'll check on the chrysalides. I could bring them into our lanai to protect them until they emerge. I'll read up on that. |
|
- Posted by marcia_pa5 PA5 & FL9b (My Page) on Mon, Nov 8, 10 at 13:47
| Here are some of the cats that are doing the job on the milkweed. Yes, I have some leaves re-growing. One of the butterflies emerged from its chrysalis (outside) and a new chrysalis took its place. I didn't get to see the emergence. Marcia
|
Please Note: Only registered members are able to post messages to this forum. If you are a member, please log in. If you aren't yet a member, join now!
Return to the Butterfly Garden Forum
Instructions
- You must be a registered member and logged in to post messages on our forums.
- Posting is a two-step process. Once you have composed your message, you will be taken to the preview page. You will then have a chance to review the contents and make changes.
- After posting your message, you may need to refresh the forum page in order to see it.
- It is illegal to post copyrighted material without the owner's consent.
- HTML codes are allowed in the message field only.
- No advertising is allowed in any of the forums.
- If you would like to practice posting or uploading photos, please visit our Test forum.
- If you need assistance, please Contact Us and we will be happy to help.