Just 21 days after the Milkweed is planted, the second Monarch Caterpillar wanders away to form a chrysalis. The Milkweed that is left behind is just a bare stalk.
Despite milkweed’s status as the Monarch butterfly’s only host plant, there are many different species of milkweeds that monarchs can use to raise their young. While some species have been found to be preferred over others, all members of the genus Asclepias can be used as a Monarch butterfly host plant. It’s important to choose a species of milkweed that’s native to your region whenever possible –in Central Florida that is Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata). Monarch caterpillars are voracious and one can devour a Milkweed leaf in just five minutes. Even though I watched in amazement as the Monarch caterpillars ate that Milkweed plant down to a stalk, I was equally amazed to watch that plant sprout new leaves in time for MORE Monarch’s the use that very same season. The Swamp Milkweed then “died-back” by December – I’ve been told this is Nature’s Way of encouraging the Monarch Butterflies to “move on”. In Central Florida we should not see Monarch Butterflies November to April or so, as they migrate farther south to Mexico. How this migration was discovered is quite the fascinating story. If you get a chance I highly recommend watching the show (less than 30 minutes) – Journey with Dylan Dreyer – Flight of the Butterflies (2016). Look for it “on demand” or other streaming methods.
The tropical milkweed (Asclepias curassavica) is much debated. There’s evidence that it negatively impacts monarch health and migration in some parts of the country. Plus, it isn’t perennial, nor is it native to the U.S. or Canada. I discourage you from planting this variety.
July 5 Young Swamp Milkweed just planted
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