Mexican Sunflower

countrynaturals 4/7/2019, 11:32 am

Plant Mexican Sunflower for the Monarchs. It's one of the last fall bloomers and can continue blooming even after a light frost. It can help save the late-emerging Monarch butterflies from starvation, before they head down to Mexico.

**sanderson** 4/8/2019, 12:55 am

I saw this on FB. Anyone have experience with alternate food sources? https://texasbutterflyranch.com/2014/04/11/milkweed-shortage-sparks-alternative-fuels-for-hungry-monarch-caterpillars/?fbclid=IwAR37k_tolZm4zgJwOVFt8YvzYaQjh-3luI15hVweVLrIt_oKJmzYjeFU7-o

countrynaturals 4/8/2019, 11:46 am

sanderson wrote:I saw this on FB. Anyone have experience with alternate food sources? https://texasbutterflyranch.com/2014/04/11/milkweed-shortage-sparks-alternative-fuels-for-hungry-monarch-caterpillars/?fbclid=IwAR37k_tolZm4zgJwOVFt8YvzYaQjh-3luI15hVweVLrIt_oKJmzYjeFU7-o

What they don't mention is that the reason they choose milkweed is to make themselves poisonous. Pumpkins and cukes may delute their potency, which is not news we want to have reach the predators. This is an "emergency only" solution -- not something to be used on a regular basis.

That said -- yes, I've had experience and it works great, but only on the big cats. The tiny ones can't use it.

OhioGardener 4/8/2019, 12:06 pm

sanderson wrote:I saw this on FB. Anyone have experience with alternate food sources? https://texasbutterflyranch.com/2014/04/11/milkweed-shortage-sparks-alternative-fuels-for-hungry-monarch-caterpillars/?fbclid=IwAR37k_tolZm4zgJwOVFt8YvzYaQjh-3luI15hVweVLrIt_oKJmzYjeFU7-o

Interesting article. Fortunately I haven't had to worry about an alternate food source since I have and acre or so of several types of milkweed for them to feast on.

**Scorpio Rising** 4/8/2019, 9:22 pm

You guys are at the end of the trail for them...glad to hear they are getting food!! I have a bunch of milkweed for them, but I know they have a long voyage when they leave me...all I can do is fuel them well for their travels! Great article

**trolleydriver** 7/24/2019, 10:55 am

Found this Monarch on a small patch of milkweed growing in the back corner of our yard.

countrynaturals 7/24/2019, 11:17 am

TD. We haven't seen a monarch in 2 years. Sad

OhioGardener 7/24/2019, 12:47 pm

Nice, TD! We have had new Monarch's coming out to head your way for over a month, so you should start seeing more of them.

**Scorpio Rising** 7/24/2019, 8:14 pm

I have butterflies and cats...on my milkweeds. I haven’t seen any other activity...but they are about!

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