If you do have tropical milkweed in your garden, it is recommended to cut the plant back in the winter months to encourage monarchs to move on to their natural overwintering sites. Milkweeds are not the only plants that have milky sap, but in combination with their flowers unique shape, this can help positively identify a milkweed plant. Science is discovering that its long bloom time may have some detrimental effects on monarch migration and possibly be a source to spread disease within monarch populations. However it has naturalized in the Southeastern U.S. Note: Tropical milkweed available at many retail nurseries is not native to the U.S. The latter two are highly ornamental and widely available via the nursery trade. Three species have particularly wide ranges and are good choices in most regions: common milkweed ( Asclepias syriaca), swamp milkweed ( A. You can collect your own seed or purchase seed or plants to add to your garden, or any landscape in your community. Planting local milkweed species is always best. There are several dozen species of this wildflower native to North America, so no matter where you live, there is at least one milkweed species naturally found in your area. The good news is that planting milkweed is one of the easiest ways that each of us can make a difference for monarchs. Indeed, eradication of milkweed both in agricultural areas as well as in urban and suburban landscapes is one of the primary reasons that monarchs are in trouble today. Without it, they cannot complete their life cycle and their populations decline. As such, milkweed is critical for the survival of monarchs. Learn more about Tropical milkweed’s adverse effects.Monarch caterpillars feed exclusively on the leaves of milkweed, the only host plant for this iconic butterfly species. The plant has also escaped into natural areas, which may further disrupt migration paths. The seedlings should be watered frequently mulch can be used to help hold in the moisture around the plants. However, if you decide to start them indoors in spring, you need to wake them up from dormancy via cold stratification. (Native milkweed loses its leaves and goes dormant during the winter, eliminating the presence of OE.)Īlthough not documented scientifically, the higher concentration of cardenolides toxin in Tropical milkweed may adversely effect Monarchs. Most milkweed species do best in full sunlight, so choose an open area with lots of sun. Here’s what you should do when growing milkweed from seeds: Step 1: Starting seeds indoors or sowing directly outdoors Directly planting outdoors in the fall is the easiest way to grow milkweed from seeds. Overwintering Monarchs are also more susceptible to OE, which persists and accumulates in Tropical milkweed throughout the winter. This disruption of their natural life cycle makes them more susceptible to death from food shortages and freezing winter temperatures. Harm from migration disruption. Tropical milkweed remains evergreen and may bloom throughout winter, encouraging migratory Monarch populations to overwinter in Florida and continuously breed. Microscopic spores on are spread to eggs, and infected larvae may not emerge from pupal stage or may emerge as very weak adults. When OE spores infect milkweed leaves, they can be carried on the bodies of adult butterflies, spreading the infection. Harm from parasites. Tropical milkweed has been linked to the higher transmission of Ophryocystis elektroscirrha (OE), a protozoan parasite. : Seed Needs, Milkweed Seed Packet Collection to Attract Monarch Butterflies (6 Individual Seed Varieties to Plant) Heirloom & Untreated Seeds (6. These insecticides can be very toxic to Monarch caterpillars that feed on the leaves, increasing mortality rates. Harm from Insecticides. Commercially grown Tropical milkweed plants are sometimes treated with systemic insecticides to keep pests off of them, giving them a better appearance at retail nurseries. To attract multitudes of monarchs to your garden, plant milkweed in groups of six or more, spacing plants or thinning seedlings to about 6 to 24 inches apart, depending on the species. However, the use of Tropical milkweed can harm Monarchs. It is widely available at Florida’s mainstream nurseries and big box retail centers because it is easy to grow. Tropical milkweed ( Asclepias curassavica) is native to Mexico and Central America.
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