Have any of you started replacing your A. currasavica w/ A. incarnata? I'm looking into buying trays of plugs to phase out what I have. I figure if I get them soon, I can have them in ground by this fall and ready to bloom next year. http://m.jax2go.com/articles/192850271
At a butterfly program at our office, Jaret Daniels, entomologist from the University of Florida, said there is a strong correlation between OE disease and the non-native milkweed ( Aesclepias curassavica ). This is the Mexican milkweed that is commonly planted in our landscapes. Evidently, monarchs are less likely to be infected with OE disease if they feed on a native milkweed such as swamp milkweed, Aesclepias incarnata . Swamp or rose milkweed will reach 2 to 3 feet in height and has fragrant pale pink flowers. Daniels added that gardeners should not overreact by yanking up their Mexican milkweed, but should gradually replace it with native milkweed species. The native species will be more difficult to find at our retail nurseries but if the demand is there, the plants will become available.
Maggie
Downside of Asclepias currasavica
Interesting, Maggie-thanks for sharing!
Dear Maggie,
I have swamp milkweed in my bf garden, 2 plants that were planted 2 years ago. They've spread out well. I've collected almost 70 cats just from those 2 plants. I then feed the native Michigan milkweed to the cats and leave the swamp mw alone. I'm new at this, so I don't know the numbers of OE infection, but so far I've released 12 monarchs and with one current exception (see monarch surgery post), all have been healthy and fluttered away. I would be happy to send seeds this fall to anyone who wants them.
Blossom-
Thanks so much. Perhaps I should start seeds this summer. I'm also trying to get plants so that next spring my B'Flies havw lots to eat. The A. currasavica is deceptively easy to grow but I'm going to phase it out.
Maggie