Is beach sand to salty to use in a watering dish for butterflies?
Thanks, Rosykay
sand for butterflies?
Saw my first butterfly yesterday. A small yellow one. Does anyone have an answer for me about beach sand for butterflies?
Rosy, I don't think it would be a problem - the b'flies know how much salt they need at a time - but I would mix the sand into other types of soil or mineral rich substances like barn manure, add fruit pieces, etc. If nothing else the mix would possibly extend the amount of time they spend feeding there becasue it would offer more of what they need and want. Hope this helps.
ginni
I have a different question. Where do you put the puddles? Down on the ground? Hanging in a tree? I've been wanting to make some, but haven't been clear on all the instructions.
tgif-thanks for the info. I did see lots of butterflies on my peach tree last year.
gardengram- I put them in the flowerbed either on the ground or on a brick or block.
I am assuming in the sun, right? I can't wait to see what happens.
Most fruit trees in bloom will be enjoyed. And, yes in the sun, as much as possible.. Put some puddles on the ground and some up higher. If you have some kind of stand that you can tuck into a flowering bush where you can keep it good and moist it will blend in and should become a favorite puddle. This pic is of a fountain/statue that I got last year. I wanted a puddle instead of a running fountain, so I have filled the basin with "dirt" from the floor of an old barn after adding all sorts of things, including some salt. Throughtout the summer I will toss on bits of rotting fruit and such, and, hopefully, will have the added fun of watching the hummers in a feeding frenzy when the fruit flies swarm in to get the fruit. The "gazing ball" is actually a Budweiser party ball that a friend gave me. I really like the color and when all is finished, there will be a copper grid around the ball to lock it all toghther, and St Francis will stand on top of the world gazing out over the garden and the meadow beyond.
I started this last fall, too late to get any idea as to how well it will suit the b'flies, but I have great hopes for this year. I put in 2 B'fly Bushes last year, some liatris which the little critters just love, and I have just put in some snapdragons to get things going.
I have a few more pics, if you're interested, but right now, I'm off to the garden to do a bit more work
ginni
Thanks so much for all your help. I like the idea of a stand hiding in a bush. I might be able to come up with something like that. We have a total of ten flower beds, but not all of them have plants that would attract butterflies. My butterfly bushes are a big hit with them, and I have lots of other flowers in the two main beds. I want to add all I can to their visiting experience.
Me too. That is why I want to include the puddles. The flowers give them the sweet nectar, but they need the other minerals as well. I would love to supply them with whatever they require.
The thing to remember, as I see it, is that they are used to getting nectar at any level, but the minerals they want are usually on the ground, so keep the puddles fairly low, like under two feet.
I would love to see pics of all that you all have done, or, like me, are doing. I tried to get a picture yesterday afternoon, but all I got were dog ears!!
ginni
hi you guys,
I have a small statue of a fairy holding an upside down shell in my butterfly/hummer garden. I put water in the shell. I want to attract more butterflies so this year I'm planning to and host plants as well as the nectar plants. My peach tree wasn't in bloom, the butterflies were eating the peaches. My son and I took some pictures of them.
ginni--Pretty good looking dog ears. German Shepherd?
Another thing I heard about and have just started doing is to put a flat rock in the middle of a birdbath for smaller birds and for butterflies to land on.
Yep, German Shepherd. She is just over 1 year old, but still acts like a 5 month old! DH and I have just about decided that the money we spent on her went for looks, not brains. Actually, she has all the wonderful instincts of the breed, and is truly an asset to our lives.
I always put rocks or gravel in any water container for the little ones to stand on. I also keep a large rock in the dog's water bowl because I have had to rescue so many frogs. They get in but can't get out without something to jump from.