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Apr 24, 2015 1:07 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Peggy C
Graham NC USA (Zone 7b)
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For zone 7b, what is the Milkweed to plant ... have read on some ag sites that Monarchs can become sick/die if the wrong kind of Milkweed is planted in your zone.

Thanks for the help !
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Live like every day as it is your last because one day -- it will be.
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Apr 24, 2015 5:24 PM CST
Plants Admin
Name: Kent Pfeiffer
Southeast Nebraska (Zone 5b)
Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Plant Database Moderator Plant Identifier Region: Nebraska Celebrating Gardening: 2015
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Zone doesn't matter much, but it would be best to plant species that are native to your area. Among those, I'd think the following species would be the easiest to come by:

Clasping Milkweed (Asclepias amplexicaulis)

Poke Milkweed (Asclepias exaltata) (this is a woodland species)

Swamp Milkweed (Asclepias incarnata)

Red Milkweed (Asclepias rubra)
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Apr 24, 2015 5:28 PM CST
Name: greene
Savannah, GA (Sunset 28) (Zone 8b)
I have no use for internet bullies!
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For the Piedmont area I found this information from two sources;
www.hiltonpond.org
http://guilford.ces.ncsu.edu/2...

Asclepias tuberosa,
A. syriaca,
A. incarnata,
A. Amplexicaulis,
A. Viridiflora,
A. Variegata ,
A. verticillata.
Sunset Zone 28, AHS Heat Zone 9, USDA zone 8b~"Leaf of Faith"
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Apr 24, 2015 7:34 PM CST
Plants Admin
Name: Kent Pfeiffer
Southeast Nebraska (Zone 5b)
Charter ATP Member I was one of the first 300 contributors to the plant database! Plant Database Moderator Plant Identifier Region: Nebraska Celebrating Gardening: 2015
Million Pollinator Garden Challenge Forum moderator Irises Garden Sages Garden Ideas: Master Level
Asclepias tuberosa - often recommended for monarchs, although I rarely see monarch caterpillars feeding on the ones in my yard, they seem to prefer other species of milkweed. Shrug!
Asclepias syriaca - a very aggressive plant. Could be used if you have a meadow type planting, but frankly, you'll probably regret planting it in a typical yard
Ascelpias incarnata- mentioned above
Asclepias amplexicaulis - ditto
Asclepias viridiflora - seed is difficult to come by. Plants are rather, let's say, "unshowy"
Asclepias variegata - difficult to grow
Asclepias verticillata - another aggressive milkweed I wouldn't want to deal with in a yard or conventional flower bed. Not sure if monarchs feed on it or not, it's a slender plant with extremely narrow leaves, doesn't look like it would support a caterpillar the size of a monarch. Shrug!
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Apr 24, 2015 8:10 PM CST
Name: greene
Savannah, GA (Sunset 28) (Zone 8b)
I have no use for internet bullies!
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I wonder if @mellielong in Florida has any suggestions.
Sunset Zone 28, AHS Heat Zone 9, USDA zone 8b~"Leaf of Faith"
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Apr 24, 2015 9:24 PM CST
Name: Melanie
Lutz, Florida (Zone 9b)
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Well, I'm in zone 9b so my requirements are a little different. I think what Peggy may be referring to is the latest news that got blown out of proportion about Tropical Milkweed. (A. curassavica). There has been much to do about it lately thanks to a study that came out about the plant and its connection to the OE spore that infects and kills Monarchs.

OE is a naturally occurring spore that can and does make Monarchs sick and will kill them. It's most obvious when you have a chrysalis that turns black and never emerges or when you have a Monarch that gets "stuck" while emerging from the chrysalis. But some Monarchs do live and they spread it when they lay their eggs. The spores also exist on the plants so the caterpillars and eggs can become infected just by being there.

Now, the problem is that Tropical Milkweed is one of the most widely available milkweeds. It's generally the only one I see for sale in Home Depot and Lowe's. It also grows pretty much year round unless we get a freeze. Even then, I've fed the caterpillars wilted, damaged leaves and they will accept them in captivity.

Well, not long ago a study came out that said Tropical Milkweed was evil because it doesn't go dormant like the native milkweeds. This, the study said, kept Monarchs from migrating like they were supposed to. It encouraged them to stop and breed when they normally would just keep flying on to Mexico. And because the plant never goes dormant, the OE spores were on the plant all the time! They never went away! And so the study showed that Monarchs on Tropical Milkweed were infested at a much higher rate than those that had fed on other milkweeds.

The press kind of blew this one out of proportion and scared a lot of gardeners who thought they were doing good. Now, personally I did tear up all my Tropical Milkweed last year because I am trying to go as native as I can. That's a personal choice. I've had A. tuberosa for years and yes, the Monarchs nearly always picked the Tropical Milkweed instead. However, this spring I have not been able to keep them off the A. tuberosa. I think, if given the choice, they will go for the natives. I am also growing Giant Milkweed (Calotropis gigantea) because the Monarchs rarely lay eggs on it and it has made for a good back-up food source. They've been laying on it this year and I'll probably get rid of it once I have enough native milkweeds growing.

The only people who really need to be concerned are people who live where Tropical Milkweed doesn't die back. If they still want to grow it, Monarch Watch is suggesting they just keep it cut back in the winter to discourage any egg-laying. They feel planting any milkweed is better than planting none. Of course, I think planting natives are best if you can find them. It's always easier to plant natives in your garden because they require less care. I also think butterflies are more apt to choose the plants they evolved alongside for millions of years. Kent gave some really good suggestions for specific species above. One source I have bought seeds from is Everwilde Farms: www.everwilde.com Each plant has a little map that shows you where it's native so you don't buy the wrong one. They do carry some of the species Kent mentioned but they're out of stock on some right now. Sometimes I just Google the Latin name and see what vendors come up. Finding native plants is getting somewhat easier than it used to be, but it can still be a challenge.

So that was a really long post! I'll just sum up by saying that I have fed Monarchs native and non-native species and haven't noticed any difference in survival rates. Going native is generally best. And I probably should have said this first, but Welcome! Peggy!
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Apr 24, 2015 9:40 PM CST
Name: Jean
Prairieville, LA (Zone 9a)
Charter ATP Member Plant Identifier The WITWIT Badge Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Garden Sages
Welcome to ATP Peggy. I think this article may also help clarify things.

http://nativeplantwildlifegard...

And this one offers a whole list of plants for butterflies and their larva in your area.

http://www.carolinanature.com/...
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Apr 25, 2015 12:54 PM CST
Name: Melanie
Lutz, Florida (Zone 9b)
Butterflies Enjoys or suffers hot summers Hummingbirder Birds Bee Lover Bookworm
Region: Florida Celebrating Gardening: 2015 Bromeliad Native Plants and Wildflowers Plant Identifier Salvias
I hope we haven't overwhelmed Peggy! We're a very helpful bunch on this site! And thanks for the thumbs up and acorns, guys. Totally unexpected, but much appreciated.
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Apr 25, 2015 1:19 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Peggy C
Graham NC USA (Zone 7b)
hand drumming with friends
Bee Lover Region: North Carolina Native Plants and Wildflowers Irises Dragonflies Clematis
Cat Lover Garden Photography Bulbs Butterflies Birds Zinnias
Wellllll -- no, not exactly overwhelmed --- but, y'all are on the ball !
Guess y'all figured I was reading all the helpful links [ and bookmarking them ! ]


Do appreciate it very much!

Last evening, took a photo of this guy --- loved the colors, only to find out that he really doesn't need to be in my yard. Can I find him today ? Of course not !

Sigh .. shall be vigilant !


Thumb of 2015-04-25/PeggyC/6d6148
Live like every day as it is your last because one day -- it will be.
(if I can find who said this, I'll credit that dear Soul -- wasn't me, but it makes a lot of sense)

This isn't a dress-rehearsal ~
Avatar for charlesdanie9
Jun 1, 2018 2:13 PM CST

Does anyone know what the orange and black beetles that are on my milkweed? Seem to cluster on the unopened seed pods.
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Jun 1, 2018 5:08 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Peggy C
Graham NC USA (Zone 7b)
hand drumming with friends
Bee Lover Region: North Carolina Native Plants and Wildflowers Irises Dragonflies Clematis
Cat Lover Garden Photography Bulbs Butterflies Birds Zinnias
charlesdanie9 said:Does anyone know what the orange and black beetles that are on my milkweed? Seem to cluster on the unopened seed pods.


Charlesdanie9,
Not that I could answer your question re: orange and black beetles, but don't see a photo.

Welcome to a really helpful groups of Souls who like to dig in the dirt!

Peggy Welcome!
Thumb of 2018-06-01/PeggyC/cfc867
- and on the 1st of June, it was as hot as ____________ (fill in the blank )....
Live like every day as it is your last because one day -- it will be.
(if I can find who said this, I'll credit that dear Soul -- wasn't me, but it makes a lot of sense)

This isn't a dress-rehearsal ~
Avatar for scvirginia
Jun 1, 2018 5:22 PM CST
Name: Virginia

If I'm not mistaken, Asclepias incarnata (Swamp Milkweed), Asclepias tuberosa (Butterfly Milkweed) and Asclepias syriaca (Common Milkweed) are the most commonly found Milkweed species in the U.S., which suggests to me that they adapt to a lot of different growing conditions, and also that they will be easier to find than some other species.

If you're looking for a local source for information or for plants, your state's Native Plant Society probably has a chapter in your area. I think most NPS chapter have spring and fall native plant sales as fundraisers, so that might be something to check out. Chapters in SC have monthly lectures and field trips except during the summer; NC probably has a similar system?
https://ncwildflower.org/

Good luck,
Virginia
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Jun 1, 2018 5:40 PM CST
Thread OP
Name: Peggy C
Graham NC USA (Zone 7b)
hand drumming with friends
Bee Lover Region: North Carolina Native Plants and Wildflowers Irises Dragonflies Clematis
Cat Lover Garden Photography Bulbs Butterflies Birds Zinnias
scvirginia said:If I'm not mistaken, Asclepias incarnata (Swamp Milkweed), Asclepias tuberosa (Butterfly Milkweed) and Asclepias syriaca (Common Milkweed) are the most commonly found Milkweed species in the U.S., which suggests to me that they adapt to a lot of different growing conditions, and also that they will be easier to find than some other species.

If you're looking for a local source for information or for plants, your state's Native Plant Society probably has a chapter in your area. I think most NPS chapter have spring and fall native plant sales as fundraisers, so that might be something to check out. Chapters in SC have monthly lectures and field trips except during the summer; NC probably has a similar system?
https://ncwildflower.org/

Many thanks to so many stopping to answer my question - got my homework cut out for me.

Peggy
Good luck,
Virginia
Live like every day as it is your last because one day -- it will be.
(if I can find who said this, I'll credit that dear Soul -- wasn't me, but it makes a lot of sense)

This isn't a dress-rehearsal ~
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Jun 1, 2018 5:45 PM CST
Name: Sue
Ontario, Canada (Zone 4b)
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charlesdanie9 said:Does anyone know what the orange and black beetles that are on my milkweed? Seem to cluster on the unopened seed pods.


Milkweed bugs:
http://www.missouribotanicalga...
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Nov 3, 2020 9:46 AM CST
Name: Rj
Just S of the twin cities of M (Zone 4b)
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As Yogi Berra said, “It's tough to make predictions, especially about the future.”
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Nov 3, 2020 11:11 AM CST
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