Milkweed season will be upon most of us soon, if it ever warms up.
That means soon after it will be time for Monarch caterpillars.
I can give step by step directions for the care and release of Monarch caterpillars, chrysalis and butterflies. This method will work with other species as well, such as Longwings and many Swallowtails.
People in Texas and north should be seeing migrating butterflies. Now is the time to plant Milkweed in your gardens if you don't already have it.
Collecting and raising caterpillars is easy, but can get intense toward the end. It is best to start with small numbers at first.
You can also grow and give away Milkweed. It's fun and easy to grow.
Anyone out there interested in learning about Monarch restoration?
Do you think I should try to grow them inside the first year to protect the plants?
I start them early in Spring inside and wait for end of frost to pot them into 4" pots. I grow these outside, and when they are grown into the 4" pots they can then go into the ground. As long as the seedlings are properly "hardened off" and don't freeze they should be fine.
Protect seedlings and young plants from birds and bunnies until well established and growing vigorously.
Will these bloom this year?
Better next year.
Not to worry if they don't bloom this season. At least in my area I've noticed females prefer new sprouts when given a choice. I surmise the reason being that everything loves the blooms and increases traffic & the chance of predators. They draw flies, wasps. Have seen flies get stuck on the blooms