Why tropical milkweed is bad?
Tropical milkweed can also interfere with monarch migration and reproduction. In northern areas it grows later in the season than native species, and just the presence of tropical milkweed may confuse monarchs into breeding at a time when they should be migrating.
Is it bad to plant milkweed?
Myth #4: Because milkweed is toxic, you shouldn’t plant it. Milkweed does contain toxins that can be harmful to pets, livestock and people. The milky sap for which it gets its name leaks out from the stem or leaves.
Is milkweed easy to grow from seed?
home (with seed purchased from our shop!). As a grower, I must admit that milkweed is one of the easiest plants that we grow…by far. Its predictable and uniform germination makes it an excellent candidate for first-time seed sowers. The first, CRITICAL step is to wait until we get warmer temperatures.
Where should you not plant milkweed?
So the rule is: If you live along the California coast, plant nectar plants to support the monarchs migrating to and from overwintering sites; do not plant milkweed. It is best not to plant milkweed within 10 miles of an overwintering site.
Is the Ophryocystis elektroscirrha an animal or plant?
What is OE? Ophryocystis elektroscirrha (OE) is a parasite that infects monarch, queen, and lesser wanderer butterflies. OE is not an animal or plant, but a single-celled organism known as a protozoan, a living thing that has many of the same characteristics as animals. OE must live within a host to grow and multiply.
Why is my milkweed plant not growing well?
Tropical milkweed becomes a problem when planted in temperate areas where it does not die back in winter. A protozoan parasite of monarch butterflies, Ophryocystis elektroscirrha or OE for short, can travel with monarchs visiting the plants and become deposited on leaves.
How does a monarch butterfly get OE from Milkweed?
Adult butterflies (that eat milkweed as caterpillars) should never be emerged over milkweed or caterpillars. If the adults have OE, the caterpillars will get OE from spores that fall from the adults. If you bring eggs in from your garden, you can disinfect the eggs before they hatch.
Is there a way to control the Ophryocystis parasite?
We have been working for the past year on controlling this parasite, and would like to share our results with you in the hope of preventing further negative effects on an organism that we all view with a sense of awe and wonder. The parasite is a protozoan, with the Latin name of Ophryocystis elektroscirrha.