Can I cut back milkweed without damaging it?
docmom_gw
17 years ago
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Iris GW
17 years agoRelated Discussions
Cut back milkweed stalks at end of season?
Comments (4)I have already cut back most of mine to about 1 foot because of the aphids. They keep coming to what's left up, but I keep blasting with the hose. I tend to treat most of my perennials like bulbs; I keep up as much undead stems up until they're fully gone for the season. Don't know why quite honestly. Unfortunately my tropicals are blooming beautifully so I must keep blasting with the hose, at least until the frost hits......See Morecutting back frost/freeze damage????
Comments (4)Ditto the advice. You can trim off "fried" (dead) leaves (they will end up smelling bad) but DO NOT touch the stems/trunks of bushes/shrubs/perenials until after the last frost. There are some things you can cut to the ground, like gingers. Also, keep in mind that what may look DEAD in the spring may not be. I had a 15 yr. old, 7 ft. potted ficus that got "killed" in the Dec. '02 hard freezes (I was out of town & DS didn't cover it.) In the spring I cut it down to stumps, but b/c it was a sentimental gift, I couldn't toss the lifeless thing, even in June, with NO signs of growth, just stumps. It started coming back to life in July and within 2 yrs, had grown back to it's former beauty....See Morewhen and how to cut back milkweed
Comments (8)Mary, my understanding is that once the Monarchs go into fall migration mode their reproductive processes shut off. They need to save their energy for the trip south, as well as preserve energy for the long winter and at least one leg of the northward journey when spring rolls around. I'm sure that can vary from one individual to another, but that is what is described by Monarch Watch. Martha...See MoreShould I cut back chili thrip damage?
Comments (1)You can call Debbie or Geoff at Cool Roses to find out for sure, but I haven't cut mine off because it just makes new growth. However, I had cane borer that got into a cane and I did have to cut that one. I also had a neighbor who must have used some roundup and I had to cut a nice big cane off because of that..... otherwise I try not to cut until it cools off and less CT around....See Morejoepyeweed
17 years agodocmom_gw
17 years agojoepyeweed
17 years agokwoods
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17 years agoDarlene3253
12 years agoterrene
12 years agombancroft305
8 years agoWoodsTea 6a MO
8 years agolast modified: 8 years agombancroft305
8 years agowisconsitom
8 years agoWoodsTea 6a MO
8 years agoWoodsTea 6a MO
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8 years agoLynda Waldrep
8 years agowisconsitom
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5 years agoJay 6a Chicago
5 years agolast modified: 5 years ago
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