http://www.vancouversun.com/health/Storms+threaten+butterflies+winter+rest+Mexico/2697972/story.html
This is so sad ~
Storms threaten butterflies’ winter rest in Mexico
Thanks for posting that! Yes, I'd heard something about it...a real tragedy, just when their numbers were already dwindling so much! Well, all we can do is plant milkweed and help them along the best we can in the U.S. I've got to buy some milkweed, because so many of my Mexican Milkweed did not survive the extreme cold. I need to plan a drive up to the place that has inexpensive milkweed! The Monarchs should be passing through southcentral Texas next month.
I have some seeds if you want some. I started the Facebook page and have already send Milkweed out to 4 people. Let's keep plenty for them!
At the museum I get a lot of interest in people wanting to raise caterpillars. Monarchs are a favorite and always a hit with the kids so I'm constantly telling parents to go buy a pack of milkweed seeds (plants cost too much when the seeds are so easy to grow). Plus, you don't have to worry about pesticides when you grow from seed. I've had a lot of people tell me they're going to try it - even one parent who I talked to about container growing on his apartment patio. Every little bit helps!
Melanie
Thank you for the article.. I read online on another site that Monarchs have been put on the endangered species list ( sorry for repetitive news).. & I am trying to get friends to plant at least a few plants that attract butterflies.
I ordered more seeds online that consist of tropical milkweed, swamp milkweed & rue(?) so I hope they grow!!!
My rue just started blooming. I get both Black ST and Giant ST on it. Stinky plant, but I guess that's what attracts the butterflies. I was also surprised that it came through our freezes this winter with no cover. So I can safely say it can take weather down in the 20s.
Melanie
It's too bad not many places carry the yellow A. curassavica. It seems to do well here and I have to drive far to buy it at a nursery to make sure I have enough that are ready for April (when Monarch usually pass through)...just in case I do get Monarch cats. The two native milkweeds I grow are starting to come up in a few places, just a little bit. Glad to see them after those deep freezes we had!
Linda, I saw a yellow curassavica today, & I didn't buy it because I already have something similar to it.. the milkweed.... at least that's what I thought.
sent that article from the Vancouver Sun onto people I know through Hotmail & DH put it on Facebook!
Saw 5 species of butterflies on our field trip last Saturday.. even though it was windy. We had a great time. Then had just as great a time over at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden Butterfly exhibit!!
I think I've got hubby hooked on butterflies!! hahahahah
Very good! We seriously need to get the whole country hooked on them. Four eggs so far I've collected from my Hop Tree. And some kind of little caterpillars are covering my Lacey Oak. Those had better be something good, because otherwise...well, I like that little tree!
Do monarchs like rue? I know tiger & black swallowtails do. It's funny - you know how you can
baby some plants & no matter how much attention you give 'em, they don't survive? Well, I bought
this 1 little rue plant a couple seasons ago, did nothing but water it (in a totally inadequate pot
that had huge drain holes where all the water just ran straight thru), then ignored it all winter.
When I went to dispose of it the next year, it was alive. I transplanted it to a whiskey barrel last
summer. It was buried under 3ft of snow & ice this winter, & it has DOUBLED in size! Go figure.
Tough little dude.
Monarchs only use Milkweed as their host plant.
Isn't it funny how things work out sometimes. I have had plants that I was going to give up on, and they end up doing better than the rest.