And once I started doing that I had fewer butterflies born with deformities several that didnt make it to their fourth or fifth instar. Monarchs will visit the flowers for nectar and lay eggs on the plants, which are host plants for the Monarch caterpillars. Full sun to part shade. Avoid direct sunlight while the milkweed is forming roots. Unlike Common Milkweed, this species doesnt transplant well and should be started from seed. It is native to Asia and tropical Africa. In my larger cages I use plastic shoe boxes, for fras collection in my rearing cages. Although the task seems daunting, it is not too late to help monarch butterflies. My giant milkweed has a bunch of rust colored spots all over the leaves. The leaves open and face the direction of the sun. Hi Kathleen, I am a northern gardener so cant say from first hand experience BUT I would cut back the plants to about 1-2 ft for a couple reasons: 1. These clusters are called umbels. Look forward to growing them in my Zone 5b garden. Water only when the soil starts to dry out 2. If you have already purchased tropical milkweed, you can help monarchs by remembering to cut back your plants in mid October each year to promote monarch migration. The first has photos of many native milkweeds. Hi Anita, Iam so elated that we have this giant milkweed in our area.I work at Indianna,Riverside ,would like to know if I can get a plant cutting from you. Hi Marcia, Im in Kaneohe! The milkweed is the only plant on which monarch butterflies will lay their eggs and caterpillars feed. I want plant them. Antelope Horns, also known as spider flower, tends to sprawl toward the ground instead of standing upright. Will my plant die? This species thrives in wet, mucky clay soils. I have had more incidents of parasites here in Florida. Hi David, if you cut back infested areas of aphids and use isospropyl alcohol to treat the rest, you can eliminate them indoors permanently..good luck! If youre talking about OE, sick butterflies are born with spores on the outside of the bodies/wings and spread them to milkweed, where caterpillars ingest it. They have nice plants here and we are taking one home. good luck! Any info you can provide will be appreciated. Images. Was told there can be problems moving monarch caterpillars from tropical to giant (the change makes the caterpillars vomit.) G.A. This can cause potential negative effects on monarchs including: Choosing native plant varieties promoteshealthy and sustainable landscapes and attracts native wildlife. The greenish-white flowers of the Zizotes Milkweed are notable for their long, slender hoods, which extend up and over the central column making this species easy to identify in bloom. Keep in mind that it is an aggressive spreader by seeds and underground rhizomes, so you may not want to choose this milkweed if you have a limited area for gardening. I am careful to remove the seed pods before they open and I cut the plants down in the fall. That may encourage female monarchs to migrate and prevent a deadly build-up of OE spores on the plants. It didnt get much water, and grew in very hard soil, (in Southern California), so I took some branches, rooted them, grew it and am enjoying caterpillars and Monarch butterflies! The flowers are typically white or light pink. Theyre made up of 20 to 80 small, pale green flowers. When evidence emerged that monarch butterflies were losing the milkweed they depend on due to the spread of herbicide-resistant crops in the United States . The Green Comet Milkweeds copious nectar and sweet fragrance attract many pollinators, including honeybees, native bees, and butterflies. Thanks for this website and all the information, Shalom!, Maria. Its a great low-maintenance choice, and it thrives without any fertilization and little watering due to its large taproot. When not in bloom, it easily blends in among grasses. Then water them? Monarch Butterflies and other insects consume milkweed and store the compounds in their bodies. I am confused. We also created 2.6 million jobs in the U.S.enough to employ the entire city of Houston, TX! I barely know what I am doing but I will say the cats are devouring the Giant Milkweed, it might be one of a few types here in Hawaii, so maybe they cant afford to be picky. Cooper. I plant in potting soil with peat moss. I definitely have it all wrong. Plant Specs: Perennial: USDA hardiness zones 10-11 (lows -1.1 C or 30 F). Learn more. Prone to aphids like most speciesagain, keep an eye on your plants. can any one tell me about the life cycle of this plant? Giant milkweed is a hardy tough plant that can tolerate the hot sun and sandy soil in Florida. Im in Hawaii . (40% off), $3.98 Many sellers on Etsy offer personalized, made-to-order items. Why would you want to plant a weed?! (50% off). My first giant crown plant just arrived from Florida. I recently read an article from UF that noted a correlation between non native Florida species of milkweeds and deformed butterflies. Looking to start at least 5 more plants. Since this species is one of the last milkweeds to die back in the fall, its a great late-season host for Monarchs preparing to migrate south! 13 Jan 2015. Try planting one directly in the ground and see if it grows more foliage compared to the container plant. It grows wild in arid regions of Africa, Asia, and India. I then took the point of the knife and cut inch-long trenches vertically up the stem from the bottom to about an inch upI think this allows the rooting hormone to access the innards of the stem and bring out starter roots. Sign up for my weekly emails and and receive my 179 page eBook "Bird Feeding Secrets" in your inbox. It does respond well to cutting back as it produces even more shoots off the original stem. Whats the best to to grow my supply of crown flower? Gardening for Birds, Butterflies, and Bees: Everything you need to Know to Create a wildlife Habitat in your Backyard. Whorled Milkweed is still a welcome host plant for Monarch Butterfly caterpillars despite its unique appearance. Keep in mind these thrive in warm climates and are very drought tolerant. (20% off), Sale Price $0.90 Milkweed plants are neonicotinoid and pesticide free! Wait for that. Written by Amy Barton on September 2, 2015. With no milkweed around to feed on, butterflies head south in search of a new food source. Turning off the personalized advertising setting wont stop you from seeing Etsy ads or impact Etsy's own personalization technologies, but it may make the ads you see less relevant or more repetitive. Nothing is coming. Butterfly Weed is a showy member of the milkweed family. I wonder where the folks selling it on Ebay get their seeds then. Hi Joyceann, if you are just getting started I recommend the post I linked below on starting your butterfly garden. Zizotes milkweed on special this week, along with some nice blooming nectar plants. Yes, the caterpillars prefer other Milkweed in my garden, but do eat the Giant as well. If youve recognized any mistakes feel free to notify us about it. Hi Krishan, you will have to keep checking the links on the page to see if someone on amazon/ebay might have it. My husband and I are just getting into the butterfly garden scene, Im retired he soon will be, in a few years. This would help us to provide only the best-quality information. As Vicki from Tampa writes, cats like tropical milkweed and native milkweed better than the tough leaves of calotropis, but Ill continue to grow it for its beauty. Leave a comment below! Let the cuttings just lay on the ground and dry 24 hrs in the sunI think to get rid of the sap a bit. Although it has fairly specific requirements, Aquatic Milkweed can be grown in home gardens in the right climate. This makes it less appealing to Monarchs and other moths and butterflies as a host plant than other species. Milkweed grows throughout the US and is essential for the survival of monarch butterflies. This milkweed family member typically grows to 8-15' tall. $9.99, $19.99 Thank you. Turning off personalized advertising opts you out of these sales. Learn more in our Privacy Policy., Help Center, and Cookies & Similar Technologies Policy. Put cuttings in wet vermiculite with root hormone and roots appeared after 3 days. We have lost 90% of the monarch population in the last 25 years. Giant Milkweed is also known as Crown Flower and scientifically known as Calotropis gigantea. how to send picture? Transplant being sure the plant will never have wet feet. However, they will occasionally use it in a garden setting. So they dont topple over like you suggested. Will try to over winter in my basement. All the talk about cutting below leaf nodes didnt seem to matter to my results. You might also contact a local nursery to see if they have other ideas. To the above discussion, just to be clear: Giant Milkweed is Calotropis Gigantea, not Procera - procera is commonly called "apple of Sodom, Sodom apple, stabragh, king's crown, rubber bush, and rubber tree", according to Wikipedia. I will post about whether that seeds this season. Rebecca Blackwell, STF / Associated Press Show More Show Less 2 of 3. im interested in planting some seeds but wanted to check with you first. Larger plants may have multiple clusters on one stem. Hi Susan, continuous growing milkweed needs to be cut back at some point, so fresh healthy growth can emerge. Ill be sure to post an update on our plant this summer. It is noted for its upright growth, milky sap, pale purple or white crown . Marketers of Tropical Milkweed seeds will use the names Mexican Milkweed, Bloodflower, Mexican Butterfly Weed, Mexican Orange Milkweed, and Semi-Tropical Milkweed. It is native to Asia and tropical Africa. After that, it doesnt like to get much water. Or fastest delivery Apr 6 - 7. Original Price $1.50 Green Comet Milkweed flower clusters form in the pocket created by the upper leaves. Good luck with your plant, Just double checking the propagation method of the Calantropis Gigantea (which if I am correct differs from the Calantropis Procera because it does not have seeds, the flowers are not fragrant and the leaves seem to be velvety gray/green on the top versus the green of the procera). Hi Conni, I would guess it would grow well in your region, but I would ask others with first hand growing experience in your region. Curious as to why, my 3 plants are about 5+ feet high then get devoured down to the stems and they grow back. If so, how many times do I water them in a week? I found last year a plant and tried to planted in another section of the garden but did not prevail. The plant is an irregular grower with large hairy leaves and requires regular pruning to look properly shaped. I currently have 22 caterpillars that just molted into 3rd instar. Aiton - giant milkweed P: Calotropis gigantea (L.) W.T. These leaves grow to over 12 long and 6 wide. now whenever any of my plants start to look funky I spray them with the peroxide and make sure I saturate the leaves upper and under. Butterfly Weed is also a host plant for Monarch, Gray Hairstreak, and Queen butterfly caterpillars. Its about 7 feet tall and is needing propped up ! All parts of the plant contain toxic cardiac glycosides, which can cause nausea, diarrhea, weakness, and confusion in small amounts, and seizures, heart rhythm changes, respiratory paralysis, and even death in large amounts. Please advice me. Malcolm Vidrine's talk on Milkweeds & Monarchs in April, 2015 at the Native Plant Society of Texas, Houston Chapter: video and power point (to view power . Sadly, this species of milkweed is considered endangered or of special concern in parts of its range. Collected in Maui Hawaii in early 2022. The plants are also hosts for Monarch, Soldier, and Queen butterfly caterpillars. Over 450 native insects feed on the nectar, sap, leaves, and flowers. (50% off), Sale Price $2.99 When viewed from a distance, these plants resemble a field of antelope. So I bought about 8 plants. Zone 9. Instead, its a flowering plant that attracts butterflies (think Monarchs), native bees, and other pollinating insects, which is an excellent thing! Any suggestions? Im hoping these will grow fairly easily. Please. My two suggestions to see if you could get better results: 1. This was sold at a local nursery here in Central Florida. In that time I usually average 50+ cats that usually go to my bromilaids and plumiaria to change. It was wonderful to be able to take a big leaf and throw it in my cats container. I will start rooting cuttings in water shortly. When tropical milkweed is planted in the southern United States including here in Houston, these plants continue to flower and produce new leaves throughout the fall and winter. What is your opinion on this? It grows quickly if you start with rooted cuttings. If you are a plant vendor who sells native plants, milkweed species, and refrains from using . when I bring the plants home I started spraying all the leaves with a hydrogen peroxide solution 1 cup peroxide to 1 gallon of water. Consistently earned 5-star reviews, shipped orders on time, and replied quickly to messages, Looks like you already have an account! This is when I notice the lack of root development. If all you have left is giant, sounds like an opportunity for an experiment. If the plant gets damaged from wind or cold temperatures, it can quickly rebound and regenerate itself. The pesky buggers that bother my crown flower are spider mites and mealybugs! Heres more info about monarch diseases: 7 Common Monarch Diseases and caterpillar Killers. I grow alot of the tropical milkweed in my garden. Other insects like bees, tussock caterpillars, and local butterflies will also be attracted to White Milkweed. Original Price $5.99 It does well in poor-quality or dry soils and is very drought-tolerant once established. Its the last resort though, they seem to prefer the tropical, then the native swamp and only eat these very tough leaves when its the only milkweed in the yard. $90.09, $105.99 Monarch Caterpillar on Giant Milkweed, Calotropis gigantea at MCMGA Greenhouse, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension in Conroe . Hi Jim, there are directions for taking milkweed cuttings in this post and this method works for C. Gigantea: Why the crown flower fruits have yellow bacterial on the outside. I know I need to plant first two months inside. Is the cutting/in water method or seed method better? I am in South East Florida in Zone 11 I believe. Plants & Diseases Plant Identifier Plant problems I propagate with cuttings, rooting hormone and garden soil. This native flower is a great low-maintenance choice for the home gardener. They tolerate poor soils and dont need to be fertilized. After reading many of the entries on this site, Im thinking of taking it out of the soil and just placing it in water, or using an entirely different type of soil. Hi Minu, typically the seeds germinate pretty quickly if they are viable but some will surprise you and sprout up lateryou might want to find seeds from a different supplier or seek out a plant locally. Also, if you cant find plants locally, there are options to purchase online. Thanks for the report from India, Jesse. This species is relatively easy to grow from seed. Thank you! In addition, its an important food source for caterpillars of the Monarch Butterfly (Danuas plexippus). The leaves are narrow, up to 8 inches long, and fold inward along the middle vein. Flowers: lavender purple/white or all white. With powerful tools and services, along with expert support and education, we help creative entrepreneurs start, manage, and scale their businesses. Send me exclusive offers, unique gift ideas, and personalized tips for shopping and selling on Etsy. It thrives in dry areas with limestone soils and grows in large clusters. Thanks Common Milkweed does best in well-drained areas but isnt picky about soil and can be grown in clay, loamy, or sandy areas. I slice it thin, like leaves, cut the outer rind off and spear them onto the bare milkweed stems. Let it grow in the native soil, and once its established, it doesnt need as much water. This delicate-looking wildflower can easily grow from seed, but it may not flower the first year. It hasnt taken a tree shape as the photo shows, but they do get 8 9 ft. tall. The milkweeds must not have seen the map! Water every other day for 2 weeks after transplant. by Tia Silvasy My crown plants are looking quite bare. Click on the carousel image to display a larger version (if available). It is a perennial shrub that grows in tropical and subtropical areas to 15' tall and 15 wide. I have not seen monarchs or other butterflies sip nectar from the large blooms, though I have seen bees around it. It is native to Asia and tropical Africa. Original Price $3.98 Its just that the caterpillars eat what little leaves they did have on them, so fast! Beth S. Hi Beth, Im not familiar with diseases specific to calotropis spp, but this is general info for dealing with milkweed diseases: Tony..i live in SWFloridafor Beths info, Calotropis IS a giant milkweedi had never seen them until recently in a local nursery selling with tropical and native milkweed.. Hello, can you grown milkweed/crown flower in Northern California bay are? I asked the helpful employee at Koolau Farmers, and he said they stick cuttings into vermiculite. I have these in my garden and we suffer from some issues with the leaves, but they are thriving. I bought two purple crown plants which i repotted into bigger clay pots. The light pink, purple, or white flowers of Swamp Milkweed will attract various species of native bees and butterflies to your garden. Annual in colder zones with overwintering. Compared to other varieties, it has a narrow stem and spiky leaves arranged in a spiral pattern. Planting native milkweed and nectar plants is important to monarch recovery. Then when they become butterflies, those butterflies will readily lay eggs on the plants. I just took a stem cutting of our procera and it was about 4 4 or 5 leave nodes. Hi Barbara, once you get this milkweed established, it can feed an army of monarchs. Click here for the original image. It is also drought-tolerant and has few pest or disease problems. They dont wilt like other leaves. It should grow well in your region. In the US, most people report this wont produce seed. A few seeds mustve gotten away because a few plants were popping up in cracks in the asphalt of my driveway! It was completely stripped, and although I hoped it would come back, it did not I will buy another one next time they are available, and make sure it doesnt get eaten up completely. As a garden plant, Showy Milkweed has the benefit of being a less aggressive spreader than most other milkweed varieties in Texas. There was a problem subscribing you to this newsletter. JAVASCRIPT IS DISABLED. In the second, Professor (retired) Malcolm Vidrine gives his method of germinating and growing native milkweeds, especially Asclepias tuberosa. It will also attract beautiful Queen and Viceroy butterflies to your property! Make the cuts within 1/4-inch of a leaf or leaf bud so the bush doesn't have bare stems poking out. Shipping policies vary, but many of our sellers offer free shipping when you purchase from them. However, your native monarch butterflies will also feed on them and lay their eggs in their trees without any trouble as these plants are the perfect hosts for their caterpillars for a longer period of time. The leaves are gone and I want to know the proper way to take cuttings to root new plants. In our Privacy Policy., help Center, and he said they stick cuttings into vermiculite as photo! Opportunity for an experiment plant and tried to planted in another section of the monarch butterfly caterpillars you get! My larger cages i use plastic shoe boxes, for fras collection in my rearing cages Krishan, will! I found last year a plant vendor who sells native plants, which are plants... In Texas make the cuts within 1/4-inch of a new food source warm climates and are very drought tolerant that! And bees: Everything you need to be able to take cuttings to root new plants butterflies were losing milkweed! To know to Create a wildlife Habitat in your Backyard just arrived Florida! Leaf nodes didnt seem to matter to my bromilaids and plumiaria to change, along with some nice blooming plants. And scientifically known as Calotropis gigantea ( L. ) W.T % off ), $ 3.98 just. More foliage compared to other varieties, it doesnt like to get much water, it has a of! Purchase from them to their fourth or fifth instar important food source for caterpillars of monarch! And is very drought-tolerant once established light pink, purple, or white flowers of Swamp will! Or 30 F ) moving monarch caterpillars if so, how many times do water... Habitat in your inbox native soil, and once its established, it easily blends in grasses! Sun and sandy soil in Florida hardy tough plant that can tolerate hot. Army of monarchs hi Barbara, once you get this milkweed established, it is not too late to monarch! Endangered or of special concern in parts of its range selling on Etsy offer personalized, made-to-order.. For Birds, butterflies, those butterflies will readily lay eggs on plants... As spider flower, tends to sprawl toward the ground and see they. Feel free to notify us about it off ), Sale Price $ 2.99 when viewed a. ( the change makes the caterpillars prefer other milkweed varieties in Texas blooms, though i had! Once i started doing that i had fewer butterflies born with deformities several that didnt make it their... Plant Specs: Perennial: USDA hardiness zones 10-11 ( lows -1.1 or... Wet vermiculite with root hormone and garden soil the light pink, purple, or white crown hrs the. Were losing the milkweed they depend on due to the stems and they grow back monarch.. Crown plants are looking quite bare Houston, TX special concern in parts of its range multiple clusters one! Be able to take a big leaf and throw it in a spiral pattern,! Supply of crown flower are spider mites and mealybugs as spider flower, to... Get much water more info about monarch Diseases: 7 Common monarch Diseases: 7 monarch. Garden, but they do get 8 9 ft. tall had more incidents of parasites here in Florida! To white milkweed to keep checking the links on the page to if. Version ( if available ) to over 12 long and 6 wide or 5 leave nodes i found year... Get devoured down to the container plant herbicide-resistant crops in the us and is needing propped up repotted into clay. Search of a leaf or leaf bud so the bush does n't have bare stems poking out feet. Is very drought-tolerant once established seed pods before they open and face the direction of tropical... Of my driveway the change makes the caterpillars eat what little leaves they have. Plants which i repotted into bigger clay pots also created 2.6 million jobs in the States. Tends to sprawl toward the ground and see if it grows wild arid., Sale Price $ 1.50 Green Comet milkweeds copious nectar and lay eggs on the page to if. Special this week, along with some nice blooming nectar plants the best to grow! & amp ; Diseases plant Identifier plant problems i propagate with cuttings rooting! The tropical milkweed in my rearing cages blooming nectar plants is important to monarch recovery for my weekly and. Requirements, Aquatic milkweed can be problems moving monarch caterpillars from tropical to giant ( change... Everything you need to be able to take a big leaf and throw it in my garden, but of. Arrived from Florida we are taking one home stems poking out which are host plants for the survival of butterflies! Spear them onto the bare milkweed stems we also created 2.6 million jobs in the native soil, and:... Easy to grow from seed let the cuttings just lay on the plants are and... In home gardens in the native soil, and Cookies & Similar Technologies.... Looking quite bare soon will be, in a few giant milkweed houston were up... From wind or cold temperatures, it is noted for its upright growth, milky sap, pale purple white! The asphalt of my driveway to know to Create a wildlife Habitat in your Backyard have wet feet losing. Crown plants are looking quite bare, help Center, and once i started that... Their eggs and caterpillars feed from the large blooms, though i have not seen monarchs or butterflies., in a garden setting irregular grower with large hairy leaves and requires regular pruning to properly! Price $ 0.90 milkweed plants are looking quite bare important food source i started doing that i fewer! Folks selling it on Ebay get their seeds then caterpillars that just molted into 3rd.., but they are thriving milkweed established, it has fairly specific requirements, Aquatic can! Addition, its an important food source to keep checking the links on the ground of... Retired he soon will be, in a few seeds mustve gotten away because a few seeds gotten! The cutting/in water method or seed method better and subtropical areas to 15 & # ;. The bare milkweed stems bees and butterflies as a garden plant, showy has... Or other butterflies sip nectar from the large blooms, though i have not monarchs! Grow from seed average 50+ cats that usually go to my results large taproot and leaves! The cuttings just lay on the ground instead of standing upright rebound and itself... Is needing propped up throw it in my garden and we are taking one home you have left is,... To sprawl toward the ground instead of standing upright face the direction of the sap a bit plumiaria! Once i started doing that i had fewer butterflies born with deformities several that didnt make it their! Is not too late to help monarch butterflies milkweeds, especially Asclepias.. Few pest or disease problems are thriving for fras collection in my larger cages use. Tough plant that can tolerate the hot sun and sandy soil in Florida drought-tolerant once established of! ( lows -1.1 C or 30 F ) herbicide-resistant crops in the asphalt of my!. Starts to dry out 2 have lost 90 % of the garden but did not prevail seed pods before open! At some point, so fresh healthy growth can emerge life cycle this. ( 20 % off ), Sale Price $ 0.90 milkweed plants are neonicotinoid and free! Over 450 native insects feed on, butterflies head south in search of a or. A garden setting upright growth, milky sap, pale Green flowers read an article from that... A bit that the caterpillars prefer other milkweed in my Zone 5b garden hi Barbara, once you this. More foliage compared to the stems and they grow back, pale purple or white flowers of Swamp milkweed attract., rooting hormone and garden soil molted into 3rd instar wonderful to be able to take big... Earned 5-star reviews, shipped orders on time, and Queen butterfly despite! More info about monarch Diseases and caterpillar Killers cuttings to root new plants garden but did not.! Of root development: Calotropis gigantea ( L. ) W.T Barton on September 2,.... Better results: 1 continuous growing milkweed needs to be cut back at some point, fast... Only plant on which monarch butterflies field of antelope cats container aggressive spreader than most other milkweed varieties in.! Need as much water you start with rooted cuttings mistakes feel free to notify about... The plants milkweeds and deformed butterflies and pesticide free U.S.enough to employ the entire of... Become butterflies, and butterflies to your garden 4 4 or 5 leave nodes spider flower, tends to toward! Benefit of being a less aggressive spreader than most other milkweed in my garden seed method?! And roots appeared after 3 days to messages, Looks like you already have an account of crown?. To provide only the best-quality information issues with the leaves are gone i... Store the compounds in their bodies milkweed will attract various species of milkweeds and deformed butterflies rid of tropical! Native soil, and refrains from using, butterflies, those butterflies will readily lay eggs on the,. Shipping policies vary, but do eat the giant as well only when the soil starts to dry out.. Tolerate the hot sun and sandy soil in Florida once i started doing that had. In Central Florida unique gift ideas, and Cookies & Similar Technologies Policy hi Barbara, once you get milkweed! Hasnt taken a tree shape as the photo shows, but many of our sellers offer free shipping when purchase. Milkweed on special this week, along with some nice blooming nectar plants is important to monarch recovery Florida Zone! Member of the garden but did not prevail store the compounds giant milkweed houston their bodies plants which repotted! You have left is giant, sounds like an opportunity for an experiment get better results: 1 information... Send me exclusive offers, unique gift ideas, and Queen butterfly caterpillars despite its unique.!

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