Thanks everybody for all the information about the bug repellent plants. I need to grow ground cover around the bottom of my milkweed plants anyway so I'll start looking for bug repellent seeds to winter sow.
Thanks Deb...deter instead of attract. Oh my stars, of course! The Gaura is pretty but I'll just keep it where it is then.
I enjoy looking at everyone's garden pictures of Monarch nectaring on milkweed blooms then look at mine all covered in aphids and think, no way am I going to post that picture! Maybe this year will be a good year for me to work on getting them under control so I can post pictures too. My biggest delimma in getting rid of the aphids is how do you do it with monarch cats and eggs present on the stems?
DAILY BUTTERFLIES Page 27
Linda - Lots of useful info in your post. Thanks for sharing all that info with all of us. I have going to earmark your post for later reference. I know that I will be trying some of the suggestions! Thank you!
Awesome Linda!
Thanks for getting all of the info:-). We need to do as much of these things as we can, especially being careful how we feed the plants. That is a little mentioned factor in excessive pest problems.
While I was writing down some notes, I was getting started when I was interrupted by a "call". My nephew was in an awful car accident, and I immediately had to switch gears and be with my sister all day. My mind has been really cooked today, but I am thankful to God to say that Kyle is alive. A lot of staples broken bones and swelling, but he still able to say, "II love you Aunt Debbie" out of his badly lacerated mouth and broken jaw. He landed in a tree and then onto a barbed wire fence upside down. The boy is blessed to be alive, I tell ya! Say thanks with me!!
Chrysanthemum (C. parthenium)
Nettles increase the strength of herbs, deterring aphids.. (Urtica spp.)
Tansy (Tanacetum vulgare) will control ants
Marigolds control nematodes in the soil... particularly Mexican Mint M (Tagetes lucida) can expel a stronger repellent than other M. spp.
If any of those plants have a repelling effect on the butterflies move them right away.
One thing that will encourage pests is using certain fertilizers, and overusing them. Amending with compost is ideal, however a light organic fertilizer is also fine. When using chemical fertilizers such as Miracle Grow can give pests the impression that plants are weakened and as they pick up growth they can also pick up massive amounts of various pests.
Natural Pesticides can me concocted from various plants also. This is done by chopping the leaves with just enough water to liquefy in a food processor or blender. Let it sit for a day then strain and add some water to make a spray.
I will have to take some more notes later, but here is what I had before I left this morning. ( I think were also some of these things are in the list Linda gave, :-). I 'm going to do like Becky, :-) and print the list out and study it later, my brain is done for the evening.
Debnes, saying a big THANKS here for your nephew. Hope he is comfortable and heals quickly.
Thanks for sharing more good info with us.
One thing I'll add about the fertilizer situation- I got some mw from the local garden center (thought I might run out of food for the cats- eek!) and can see from the soil mix that there's time release fertilizer mixed in. I think mw thrives on poor soil, so I never fertilize my plants. What was interesting was that the cats didn't take right to the (over)fed plants from the nursery, they kind of sniffed around for a while and then finally started eating. My guess that is that the natural oils/scents or whatever the plant growing in a "natural" situation produces, are diminished when the mw's are over fertilized. Has any one else noticed this?
I've strl;,.dsxzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzarted MORE mw seeds...3 different species going... can there EVER be enough??? (Chester the cat just helped me type!)
Cathy
Ahh Deb, that is terrible about your nephew. : ( I know that feeling of having a loved one in a car accident. Sucks the life right out of you, and you feel helpless, and scared.
I am so glad he is alive, and I hope he heals super fast. ~Lucy
Deb - {{{Hugs for your nephew}}} and lots of prayers, fast healing wishes, and a prayer of thanks that he is alive!!!
Becky has said what I'd like to express. I'm still in shock, Deb, a prayer is sent to you and yours tonight for Kyle's rapid recovery.
Kim
Deb, I'm rejoicing with your family that he survived the accident and wish him a fast recovery. Our neighbors (and friends) lost their teenage daughter to an accident a couple of years ago. It's something they'll probably never get over. It's so fortunate that they were spared that.
I've most often used strong sprays of water to cut down on the aphids myself, along with squishing them. I've used the soapy water on occasion when I'm sure no cats are around. I haven't tried much else, but might try some of those this year.
Debness, so sorry to hear about Kyle being injured. Thankful though for the help he got and that he was tough enough to survive it. Knowing you and the kids, he will have lots of help and prayers throughout his recovery. My thoughts and prayers with him and the family too.
I am so grateful for all of your well wishes for Kyle... Bless you and thanks!! I called Jana this morning and Kyle is being ornery, so that is a good sign, LOL! The impact of what's happened to him hasn't quite sank in yet, but I will stay on top of it and make sure he gets it eventually. I took pictures of him yesterday and I plan to share more butterfly stuff with him as he heals as a captive audience, hahah!! Again Thank You dear friends!!! XOXOXOXO
I started a new thread... here:
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/809023/
Deb, so glad to hear that your nephew is ok...I hate those aphids almost as much as Japanese beetles. maybe planting garlic would help...???
Elaine
Deb - How is your nephew doing? I hope they are giving him good pain-killers. I can't imagine having a broken jaw. OUCH!!!
Thanks Elaine and Becky!
He has surgery Tuesday on his jaw... all totaled about 3, surgeries (hand, back, and jaw)... His mouth will be wired shut for 3 weeks. Mom says he looks really good. I hope he gets off the pain meds soon. Please pray he doesn't get used to them.
Bless you all for your thoughts and prayers!
I hope he continues to heal. Can't imagine going through a crash like that and all the medical challenges he will have. I pray he realizes how blessed he is to have come through the ordeal alive. Also the concern about the pain killers is very real, it happens way too often now days.
Thank you Sheila, you know what I mean :-). I know too many ppl who've had dependence on the pain meds. I reminded him of his late uncle Jimmy, (my brother).. I will continue to reinforce that passionately.
debnes
Debnes, sending T&P his (and your) way. Goodness, three weeks with his jaw wired shut, I can not even fathom that.
Cathy
True, true about the pain meds! I was just hoping he was not in great pain from all of this.
You know ... you can throw just about anything in a blender and drink it with a straw! LOL!
I can't fathom it either Cathy!
So right Becky! I sent my mom tons of recipes that can be tastefully blended, but I'm sure he can't wait to sink his teeth into a nice tender steak..
Funny thing is he had a Beamer (BMW).. a really sweet car... and he traded it in for that hot Camaro just a few weeks before the accident. The Beamer was a much safer car, and wouldn't have spun out like the Camaro did. Now we will have to fix him up with a nice station-wagon, lol!! Maybe we can find one with wood on the sides, ROFL!! No more hot cars for him!!!
Volvos and the Mercury Sable with side air bags are both pretty safe cars and you can find them used. :-) I know! That's where we went with my youngest son. He now drives a nice Sable. :-) Nicer than mom or dad's vehicles, too! LOL!
Do you remember the movie Crazy People and the slogan for Volvos? "Boxy but Good." I think he needs a Volvo stationawagon with wood paneling.
Debnes
I've got a question about raising butterflies in cages I've had a lot of eastern swallowtails cats and monarchs in the past and after they get fairly large they disappear. I don't see them in the next stage so I assume birds got them. I do chase red wasps around the yard with spray and kill many of those so I assume it's birds. My problem is that I work all day including weekends so I'm not home. If I had the cages, wouldn't I have to be home more so that when the butterflies emerged I would have to be there within a short time to release them.
jameso
James - They can be held captive overnight (24 hours if not in a hot place) and released the next morning. They usually don't fly away immediately in nature. They just kinda hang around! :-)
Thanks for the info Beckygardener. that makes my next step easier.
As Becky said...:-) they will be fine in the cages until you get home. You can purchase some great cages at Amazing Butterflies for 8.00 each. 12x12x12
http://www.amazingbutterflies.com/butterfly_castles.htm
The prices on the page link ^ above^ are higher. They lowered the price and haven't changed the prices on the website yet. It's best if you call them to place your order. I had 80.00 worth of Visa Gift cards and bought 8 cages and a couple socks...
I think these are the very best cages you can get for such a reasonable price. If you're in a pinch you can whip up a cage using gladware plastic containers. Here is a thread from last year you might find helpful until you get the Castles.
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/747907/
Note how we use "wet" Floral foam to stick the cuttings in to keep them fresh... The most important thing of all s to keep the frass (poop) cleaned out of the cages. The frass is how their predators find them.
Thanks debnes
I'll go to that link. I'm still in shock that you had that plantain seed.
Hi! I got a big surprise today! as I was seeing our overnight guests off, I turned to go back into the house, & what should I see clinging to the window screen?!!! A Luna Moth - gorgeous! I've seen a couple around here before, but fairly rare - this one was not huge - about 3 1/2 - 4" total length - including that magnificent tail! I've never added a pic to a post before, so, please forgive me if i don't succeed at first!
Samantha
WOW, that's beautiful, what lovely colors, and those antennae are the coolest!
Great find!
HI Samantha!
He's beautiful!! Probably waiting for a female somewhere close by.. The Luna Moth emerges out of their cocoon without a mouth or a proboscis with which to eat. The live about 1 week... just long enough to reproduce another generation. Most of their life is spent as a caterpillar. Keep your eyes peeled there may be more action around there.. :-)
Great pic, just gorgeous!!
Come join us in thread 28.. You are welcome to repost there if you like.
http://davesgarden.com/community/forums/t/809023/
Does anyone on this forum know where one in the Memphis TN area might purchase lacewings?
If you are looking for Green Lacewings, they eat caterpillar eggs in addition to aphids. You might try Ladybugs instead; you can get them at most nurseries.