This overwintering trend has been occurring for decades, as more and more concerned gardeners plant the readily available tropical milkweed. I don’t understand my difficulties with every single Milkweed type unless it’s the neighbors black walnut trees, but my neighbors I found last year have native Milkweed growing near the trees & never had trouble. Expose overwintered plants to sun gradually over a few weeks. Thanks~ Lynne. I wintersowed tons of it, and am transplanting the seedlings into bigger pots already. exotic tropical milkweed (Asclepias curassavica). As for tropical in northern regions, you’ll have more success starting with stem cuttings or plants. I use a clip-on oscillating fan when I first bring in tropical plants. Gomphocarpus fruticosus (swan milkweed) I used to water once a week, but discovered this was too much water for some plants. The tropical milkweed has been found to be “medicinal” in terms of improving parasite resistance to OE, and as you know, butterflies that are infected tend to prefer the tropical milkweed even more than usual, suggesting that they are medicating their offspring. I did buy a lot of seeds from the same source last winter & more than just the milkweed seeds had trouble germinating. Hear is my tent: agardenstateof_mind, you can cut back tropical milkweed you overwinter indoors and you should to get rid of OE spores and also potential pests (like aphids and spiders) hiding in the foliage. Those Monarch cats have such voracious appetites. I believe the key to success is treating butterfly plants with the h202 mix (tip number 4) early to stop the infestation before it begins. I’m hoping this is a viable alternative for those who have pets and have room for a greenhouse in their yard but I haven’t proven it yet as a reliable alternative. I don’t want to be responsible for OE in my little guys…. All the Monarchs in the county will be going to your place because they'll know where the milkweed is! The same could be said for most gardeners located below USDA hardiness zone 8. I did have some bugs on them but had plenty of wintering lady bugs to keep them in check.Michelle, Thanks for the comments guys. Omg! I love the idea of spraying them to get rid of the pests but want to be sure I don’t hurt my Cats. Try this! Personally, I would not bring them inside. I’m a very good gardener, but what the heck is going on here? Mine too bloom most of the winter. After the cage was totally assembled, I set it on 3/4" sheets of plywood (also painted) and have them up on concrete blocks (rather than just laying in the yard to discourage rotting). We have a lizard and a squirrel in the garden. I bought Tropical, Cinderella, & Spider seeds last winter and again had trouble. Had to resort to going out into the yard for milkweed cuttings last year because they stripped all of the plants. Overwintering Tropical Milkweed. Hi Angie, I tried overwintering for the first time in Minnesota with great results. Even if my back could handle moving the ones that don't fit in the cage onto our back porch, we wouldn't have much room to walk. actually i have 81 chrysalis here, releasing 4 today, and have about 25 caterpillars left to go. Any views would be appreciated. [71] I have 24 pots done so far. Tropical milkweed, which is not native to California, has often been planted, but because it does not die back in the winter it leads the butterflies to breed when they should be hibernating; it can also support a parasite that’s harmful to the species. sorry to hear this Susie! I am fresh from England so know very little regarding the climate here in NC. This not-weed plant is a sight to behold in the garden, has a delicious vanilla scent and is a magnet for butterflies, These colorful songbirds prefer woodlands and forest edges, but they’ll visit yards with fruit-producing trees and shrubs, Create a vacation paradise in your backyard even if temperatures sometimes dip with these guidelines for tropical-style gardens, Appeal to exotic good taste with fruit trees, palms and tropical look-alikes in your temperate-climate garden, Beautiful swamp milkweed makes it easy to help monarchs and other pollinators in eastern U.S. gardens, Increase monarch butterfly populations in California by planting stunning native milkweeds, Provide nesting, watering and perching spots inspired by the Costa Rican jungle and watch the birds flock on over, It's invasive, a nonnative and a poor insect magnet. In addition to the concerns over OE and disruption of migration behavior, emerging research suggests that tropical milkweed may actually become toxic to monarch caterpillars when the plants are exposed to the warmer temperatures associated with climate change. Background: North American monarchs (Danaus plexippus) are well-known for their long-distance migrations; however, some monarchs within the migratory range have adopted a resident lifestyle and breed year-round at sites where tropical milkweed (Asclepias curassavica) is planted in the southern coastal United States. I have a greenhouse in my backyard which should allow me to pull this off. Last year, a single plant finally showed up (in my azalea of all places), after 20 years of trying!!! I have no idea what I did wrong. Keep cutting it back through February as leaves re-sprout. I am wanting to leave mature plants in the garden, cutting them back to about 8 to 12 inches high, and mulching them good. You could either keep it in the garage, or try this method I used with our potted black cherry tree: Potted tree protection or use for smaller containers. If you want full sized plants to start the season, you could try taking fall cuttings outside and planting them in pots over winter. I still have to winter sow my tropical milkweed along with my other annuals. Overwintering. I brought in two big plants and, much to my surprise, they flowered the ENTIRE winter.One of the pots also has 3 additional seedlings that sprouted over winter. Out of 20 seeds of the Spider, I got 5 plants & left them in pots so as to bring them inside & not risk losing them. Good luck! You can also find them online if that’s more convenient: LED Full Spectrum Grow Lights for Indoor Seedlings and Plants (we’ve been using these lights with adjustable arms to overwinter butterfly plants indoors since 2019). Tools and supplies needed are:screwdriver & galvanized screws (I used 2" or 2-1/2")staple gun and 1/2" staplesdrill and also a drill bit slightly smaller than the screws and hooks and eyesjig saw or circular sawroll of fiberglass screenscissors to cut screen down to size40+ sets of hooks and eyes4 hinges for 2 small doors. I was a fool who believed that after our plants were cut back (with no bugs in sight) they would remain pest-free for the winter. Do you spray the plants all winter, or just when you’re sure the bugs are gone? Tropical milkweed, like any other milkweed used as a host plant needs careful and constant care to be a healthy host plant. I would definitely plant perennials outdoors now. The presence of milkweed near overwintering sites can confuse monarchs into breeding at a time when they should be in reproductive diapause. I am finding that 11 days is about average time from chrysilis to flight, so i don't need any more cats this year to have enough food. Would it help to spray/water with peroxide even if I don’t bring plants inside? You can also root directly in soil. After the Monarchs stop to lay eggs on my few tropical milkweed plants, I try to rescue the cats to raise them in a 5 gal. They are coming up like gangbusters. Even once June hit & it took me all the way thru to the 4th to finish dye to my Disability, the plants just didn’t thrive. My best season yet. I was excited about the “fast growing” Tropical plants, & had a bunch started but they didn’t grow well & the few I did get just NOW started blooming! Thanks. Will the Hydrogen Peroxide hurt butterfly larva or Cats that are eating the milkweed? Back in Dec. 2011, a milkweed expert printed plans for building a outdoor cage to raise potted milkweed plants. The Cinderella- I got one from 50! There was quite a lot of seeding going on and our warm weather lasted well into October. The weather isn’t still pretty same here, with only a recent dip in evening temps for about a week…I brought the chrysalises and cats indoors during this time. I usually bring in 2 or 3 plants and take cuttings from them in late February or March. I've tried draping tulle over the top, but then some manage to get trapped underneath it (various kinds) and then I have to fiddle around with that. It was never meant to have a heater in it, as it has screen on it. Hi Carol, I take it this is swamp milkweed that you are keeping in containers since it’s cold hardy to zone 3. What size pots do you use for the curassavica? By the time I realized these gnarly gnats had invaded our basement, they were already a major problem, killing two of our smaller tropical plants. We’ve also sprayed isopropyl alcohol on plant leaves to kill off white flies and spider mites. It’s just been a bizarre summer. cup. I am looking to do the same so the cats can free feed off of some potted milkweed. Your plants will still need water, light, and other nutrients, like fertilizer, while overwintering. Tony, Congrats, Angie!Yes, mine are coming back from the roots in my garden!In the past, they never came back, but now they are. My dahlia still hasn’t bloomed & it’s up against the house on the south wall! Thanks Brian. For this reason, tropical milkweed provides They are still tiny. And thanks for all the great info, I look forward to your emails. Best practice, for now: cut tropical milkweed back after Thanksgiving. Care for your plants while overwintering. If your intention is to use tropical milkweed for spring monarchs, take stem cuttings earlier in fall or winter. I went to Lowe's and bought a bunch of 2 x 2's and a roll (I forget the length) of fiberglass screen (I didn't want wire because I was afraid that parts of it might puncture a caterpillar as it crawled over the screen). It will be interesting to learn what the monarchs prefer in a head to head competition between the trop and our common. Some of those actually grew well & I’ve tried them before to no avail. Hi Ruth, I use h2o2 for watering and when I spray the plants too. Good luck! I am happy but was not expecting so many to be viable! Our goal to overwinter plants indoors is to achieve slow growth with superior health. Fall planting PLANTS and seeds is a great way to get a head start in northern regions. Then I'm ready for the first Monarchs that pass through in April. Place 2-3 milkweed seeds into each cup of the tray. Unfortunately I have 2 cats that will chew on or eat any plants in my house. So, what do I do to propagate those Spiders & the Cinderella? February and March are cold here but the greenhouse is typically 25-30 degrees warmer than the outside air. If your intention is to use tropical milkweed for spring monarchs, take stem cuttings earlier in fall or winter. i live in south louisiana and am still in the monarch business!!!! … I am spraying the leaves every other day and watering when the top layer of soil gets dry. I think you said you cut the root ball? spider milkweed has been hardy outdoors in Minnesota, so hopefully it will come back for you next season. Luckily, there isn’t all that much that you need to do – though there are a few tips and tricks that you should follow to ensure the perennial growth of healthy plants with an abundance of blooms. I also have Purple Milkweed here, which gets beautiful flowers but still not as many eggs as the TMW. Perhaps someone who has better equipment and has better woodworking skills than I do would be able to make it out of something else other than 2 x 2's. I have beautiful flowers in my garden but since they are toxic I have to enjoy them outside. Water a plant when the top couple inches of soil start to look and feel noticeably dry. 8. To prevent overly humid conditions where pests can potentially thrive. Best practice, for now: cut tropical milkweed back after Thanksgiving. spores. Adult Monarchs, if the OE levels are high, are weakened and may not be capable of making the arduous journey to the overwintering grounds. Thank you, Doreen. http://monarchjointventure.org/images/uploads/documents/Oe_fact_sheet.pdf, http://texasbutterflyranch.com/2013/02/25/tropical-milkweed-to-plant-it-or-not-its-not-a-simple-question/. If you see aphids on milkweed or other plants, stop them before they become an issue by trying idea #1, #3, #8 or #9 from this post. The cage is to provide a safe place for Monarch cats to eat, pupate, and eclose as adult butterflies. I am new to all this so the info is really helpful. I notice that Tony is advising on cutting back tropical milkweed grown indoors. They are that bad. Same?? Tony, Could you go over how you overwinter the Mexican Flame Vine plant? Dec 12, 2018 - If you live in USDA hardiness zone 8 or below it pays to overwinter tropical plants to enhance your butterfly garden with mature flowering plants. How much root should I cut and how far down to cut the plant? Milkweed, Tropical Milkweed, Flor de Sangre, ... Research suggests this may promote overwintering monarchs that get ravaged by fungal disease and spread it to others. I dug up the Tropical ones & potted them just today being very careful to go far out of the drip line & Deep to catch all of the roots (or as much as possible). Place the seeds 1 ⁄ 4 in (0.64 cm) deep in your soil mix. I don't like to have the plants out where the Monarchs can lay eggs on them because that's what the milkweeds in the milkweed patch are for. We usually bring plants indoors mid to late October. A person cannot have too much Tropical Milkweed!! I’m going to do a lot more winter sowing this year. I’m in SE Michigan & zone 6 – my plants have been indoors for weeks. Tony, Thank you for all the info. If you rinse any milkweed plant with a strong stream of what 3 – 4 times a week during times when Monarch butterflies are seen often at the Milkweed plants, you can easily rinse off (as in using a strong jet stream) those dormant O.e. and have tropical milkweed growing in my garden and something keeps eating the leaves right off the plants. I’m also wondering if I’m going to have to buy seed yet again & start all over…. It's a rectangular cage with two panels on each side and one on each end; of course, there are also the top panels that fasten onto the big doors/panels with hooks and eyes. I just wanted to leave a comment that I am happy to say I have helped contribute to the Monarch population this fall with 14 successful Monarch releases…all lovingly cared for and supervised by me since about mid-October! Plants go through an adjustment period when being moved outdoors and should not be placed in full sun to avoid scorching the leaves. You must really be planning on having a lot of tropical milkweed if you already have 24 pots done "so far". Thanks for the visit. Wintering is really a great issue as far as bulbs are concerned because all the bulbs are not capable of tolerating excess amount of cold they need some amount of heat. Why? I suppose you could build a cage and put plastic on it if you'd want to raise plants in it, but I don't know the particulars about venting, etc. I replaced plants as they were stripped then. These plants are inside my office grow room combo. Hi Carl! Hey thank you for sharing this tip. I don’t have any tropical milkweeds now, but may look for some next year as my milkweed garden will be expanding—that’s the good news (for butterflies). The first one was taken when I was in the process of making it. When milkweed dies back to the ground each year, or is cut back to the ground, the spores will not be present on the next year's growth to infect the caterpillars. This phenomenon is well-documented in non-native, tropical milkweed (A. curassavica) which stays evergreen and is associated with winter breeding in Florida, the Gulf Coast, and Southern California. I do need to figure out how to grow larger quantities of milkweed that are protected from the egg-laying females, so I have "available" plants to provide the later instage cats. Think of it as a way of encouraging your butterflies to fly on south. I don't know if you mean me, as I don't consider myself to be a milkweed expert, but thank you anyway. On another point, should I cut back my mature" tropical" plants in hope they survive the winter ?? The cage is made up of 6 panels/doors that are each about 3 feet wide and 5 feet high. Tony, Thank you for the info. Hi Paula, I spray and water with the hydrogen peroxide mix all winter, since it’s also good for plant health. I know there aren't a lot of Monarchs that fly through the Phoenix area so I'd like to offer them a spot.Thanks!You should be able to email me through my Garden Web address. Hi Jola, your native/perennial requires going through the winter growth cycle outdoors to thrive. I also have cuttings and whole plants just sitting in water and they're doing fine. When milkweed dies back to the ground each year, or is cut back to the ground, the spores will not be present on the next year's growth to infect the caterpillars. This keeps dirty water from potentially soiling your floors or creating slip hazards. Angie, I thought you'd have lots of luck with overwintering the tropical milkweed. Your article would have been more helpful a month ago at least. Although adult monarch butterflies are generalists, feeding on nectar from a wide range of flowers, their caterpillars are specialists, requiring tender leaves of milkweed plants In past seasons I have only used natural window lighting on plants. could the soil need amending with compost? I have Tropical, Swamp, Common, and also Butterfly Weed in the yard. 3. I’m using two 40 watt bulbs (each equivalent to a 200 watt regular bulb) and a 25 watt bulb (equivalent to a 100 watt bulb). Hi Doreen, I’m in zone 5a and still fall planting a few plants this week. It keeps me busy watering them, and then I have other plants in containers too. hmmmm. I have one planted in a 15″ container. Mick, I forgot to mention....you're right, it IS sooooo much easier than taking cuttings! If you have thrips try using an insecticidal soap. I wintersowed tons of Tropical Milkweed seed, and it is all coming up well in my milk jugs. I have 2 more caterpillars that are soon to become a chrysalis. 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