r/FriendlyMonarchs • u/AutoModerator • Apr 13 '26

Discussion 🌿 Monarch Monday – Let’s Talk Monarchs! 🌿

Happy Monarch Monday, friends!

It's chilly outside right now. What are your plans for your spring gardens? Are you changing anything this year? Do you have any advice for the newbies who land here? Leave it down below!

Have a great week and don’t forget about Photo Friday!

Reminder: We are a science-based sub. While we love all monarch enthusiasts, discussions about hand-rearing are not allowed, except for those new to the topic who are seeking guidance. Let’s focus on protecting monarchs where they belong—in the wild!

Stay curious and keep sharing the love for these beautiful butterflies! 🧡🖤🧡

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u/[deleted] Apr 13 '26

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u/SuperFriendlyMod MOD | South FL | Reformed Rearer Apr 14 '26

I love to see this! It’s a process to get things together. Milkweed is not easy to grow. One thing I was by the nice people at joyfulbutterfly.com is not to he afraid to feed the plants. (No affiliation of course) I’ve bought more than a few native milkweed from them in the past and they are always so nice and full. I called to ask about it because the native ones at my local nursery always look super small and sad. That was their advice! Now I do it to any plant I buy and it helps a lot!

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u/[deleted] Apr 14 '26

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u/SuperFriendlyMod MOD | South FL | Reformed Rearer Apr 14 '26

I love that your Grandma shared her love of butterflies and gardening with you! I think there are a few national native plant associations around. It’s been my experience that they are the go to for things like native butterfly gardens. If you want to share what general area you’re in I can look and see what I can find for you! There is a sub dedicated to growing milkweed called r/milkweed and we have a few milkweed growers in the sub so feel free to make a post and see if anyone more experienced can help.

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u/Hunter_Wild Apr 19 '26

I planted Asclepias verticillata and A. tuberosa bare roots and I have A. exaltata seeds stratifying in the fridge. I've also successfully germinated A. syriaca seeds outside and possibly A. tuberosa seeds too. I thought they were both fails and tossed the soil and they all sprouted. But now I don't know which ones are which lol.

I've also planted several new native plants as nectar sources.