Post by: boneaddict on July 16, 2022, 07:58:36 AM
This has been a banner year for The Monarch butterfly. I think we have had at least a dozen different ones eclose at our place.
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/v47/boneaddict/B525D443-2916-43F2-B2F0-1D26E233EF19.jpeg)
Post by: boneaddict on July 16, 2022, 08:01:34 AM
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/v47/boneaddict/1C15F286-9030-4903-B85E-978FE6539E1E.jpeg)
Post by: boneaddict on July 16, 2022, 08:03:13 AM
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/v47/boneaddict/D1DB2803-B71C-4D8C-9A77-E6E21E75F9D6.jpeg).
Post by: boneaddict on July 16, 2022, 08:09:03 AM
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/v47/boneaddict/0E858800-F83D-4D2A-9D56-9827EDCF4483.jpeg)
Post by: boneaddict on July 16, 2022, 08:11:02 AM
Post by: boneaddict on July 16, 2022, 08:13:37 AM
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/v47/boneaddict/24022D66-0C40-4ED1-998C-BB594DD9E126.jpeg)
Post by: Timberstalker on July 16, 2022, 08:14:46 AM
Post by: JWBINX on July 16, 2022, 08:16:57 AM
Thanks
Post by: Ghost Hunter on July 16, 2022, 08:26:18 AM
Post by: Dan-o on July 16, 2022, 08:35:09 AM
Thanks for sharing.
Post by: boneaddict on July 16, 2022, 08:46:07 AM
The tropical seed I harvested off of plants I bought at Lowe’s about 3 years ago(Lowe’s hasn’t had them since). I overwintered them in the house as a house plant. I collected the seed pods after they dried right as they were popping. You can get them on eBay usually.
The swamp milkweed which is hardy (zone 5 at least), I bought several plants last year from The local true value this last spring and again harvested the seed. You can also find those fairly readily on eBay.
The showy milkweed or common milkweed, I harvested pods from plants along side the road. For such a tough plant, it took me a bit to get some established. Wait until the pods are dry and start to pop before harvesting any. Look for cotton fluff on the plants to know when it’s time. This years bloom is about 50% done, and green pods will start to form. They grow long taproots and I find growing them from seed was the most success. Remember these plants are poisionous to livestock. They won’t eat them out in the pasture, but if cut with hay, the animals will ingest them and can kill a cow.
Best nectaring plants I suppose is a butterfly bush (Buddeliea), coneflower (echinacea), phlox, bee balm, lantana, zinnias are good.
Post by: EmeraldBullet on July 16, 2022, 12:30:37 PM
Beautiful. Can you share where you get your seed. Had someone in OR shared seed with me but it didn't seem to take. Looking for anything I can plant for butterflies and hummingbirds in eastern WA.
They both like agastache (sp?) which is in the mint family and very easy to grow
Post by: Ghost Hunter on July 16, 2022, 02:02:40 PM
Post by: Alchase on July 16, 2022, 03:30:09 PM
Post by: Magnum_Willys on July 16, 2022, 06:24:05 PM
Post by: boneaddict on July 16, 2022, 07:32:23 PM
Post by: nwwanderer on July 17, 2022, 04:27:05 PM
Post by: Alchase on July 23, 2022, 04:39:49 PM
Post by: Alchase on July 23, 2022, 04:44:14 PM
Post by: Alchase on July 23, 2022, 04:46:34 PM
Post by: Alchase on July 23, 2022, 04:49:05 PM
I had a couple of those here a couple years ago Alchase. I sure riled up the experts that said they shouldn’t be here. They finally decided either I or a neighbor brought the caterpillars in on a crop from Lowe’s. I have a huge blow up of it in our guest bathroom.
They are incredible critters to photograph. Tons of detail that a good camera can pick up.
Post by: Jake Dogfish on July 23, 2022, 06:30:26 PM
Post by: NOCK NOCK on July 24, 2022, 03:17:55 PM
Post by: Alchase on July 24, 2022, 05:49:15 PM
Post by: boneaddict on August 14, 2022, 07:41:50 AM
Post by: Ghost Hunter on August 14, 2022, 08:03:58 AM
We hatched out I'm guessing at least a dozen adult monarch from the Migration north. We were fortunate enough to witness a couple of them mating, and then deposit eggs on our milkweed for a final generation. We found at least 40 caterpillars scattered amongst our milkweed. Unfortunately my work schedule and high temps interfered with me getting any images of the adults. I assume many hatched and are headed south. What a successful year
That's awesome.
Post by: kellama2001 on August 14, 2022, 08:06:03 AM
Post by: boneaddict on August 14, 2022, 08:27:55 AM
Post by: boneaddict on September 14, 2022, 06:51:39 AM
(https://hosting.photobucket.com/images/v47/boneaddict/fritlant_copy.jpg)
Post by: kellama2001 on September 14, 2022, 07:03:18 AM
Post by: pianoman9701 on September 14, 2022, 01:35:45 PM
Post by: Alchase on October 02, 2022, 01:06:43 PM
Post by: Alchase on October 02, 2022, 01:07:18 PM
Post by: Alchase on October 02, 2022, 01:07:53 PM
Post by: Alchase on October 02, 2022, 01:08:28 PM
Post by: Alchase on October 02, 2022, 01:09:12 PM
Post by: Alchase on October 02, 2022, 01:09:59 PM
Post by: Alchase on October 02, 2022, 01:11:21 PM
Post by: pianoman9701 on October 02, 2022, 02:48:44 PM
Post by: nwwanderer on October 03, 2022, 04:11:47 AM
Post by: boneaddict on October 03, 2022, 08:30:15 PM
Post by: Alchase on October 04, 2022, 05:59:16 PM
Thats cool Alchase. Mine disappeared about the end of August first of September. We had a sizeable Frit migration come in and now I have hundreds of yellow sulfurs. I caught a nice red admiral yesterday
I still had a ton of Monarch today, they should be coming through for another week. Read a story form one of the butterfly experts today. He said "for everyone you see today in Oklahoma, there was 2000 10 years ago."