Hummingbird and Butterfly Gardening: Pop Up Hamper for Monarch Caterpillars, 1 by adbjwb

adbjwb wrote:
Hi, folks!

As of today, we have one chrysalis on a door frame on the back porch. I thnk it may eclose in a couple of days. In the hamper cage are two in chrysalis form and one in J-formation. We still have a few cats on the Asclepias plants. There have been at least two Monarchs flying around the butterfly garden since last week. I like to think they are ours!

I've only witnessed several eclosings. Each butterfly was eager to get out of the cage or, in one case, off the garden mum, just as soon as their wings were dry enough to fly. Each time, they flew to a nearby Crape Myrtle (we have several around the patio) and then went right on to eagerly feast on Asclepias and 'Pink Delight' Buddleia (several plants of each type around the patio area). Each eclosing was midday to mid-afternoon and the weather was clear and warm each time. For those in the hamper, I gently turned it so they could walk or flutter out. I've been careful not to ever touch them, hoping to give them the best chance at having perfect wings and health. So far, here, they've done beautifully.