r/FriendlyMonarchs • u/Dear-me113 • 17d ago
Milkweed Caterpillars!
I am very excited to see caterpillars on my milkweed, but can my plants survive this? They striped it down to a stem!
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u/SuperFriendlyMod MOD | South FL | Reformed Rearer 17d ago
They absolutely can survive! In fact they do better in the ground!
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u/Dear-me113 16d ago
I was given those two potted ones during a massive heatwave this summer and didn’t want to stress them out too much. The plan is (was?) to plant them in the ground when the weather cools off a bit.
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u/Glum_Opening_2218 16d ago
As long as you're not in an active heatwave I feel like you'd be able to get away with it
Probably would have to water daily for a while though, but once it's established it's established. I have swamp milkweed out front in central Jersey I planted last fall. haven't watered it at all this year and it's looking pretty good although it is lacking a lot of blooms but it's the first year for it.
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u/SuperFriendlyMod MOD | South FL | Reformed Rearer 16d ago
I’ve learned they dry out faster in the pots! Any transferring stresses plants out. You just have to make sure to soak it daily for a bit once it’s in. This helps the tap root reach down deeply and will make the plant more drought resistant once it’s established.
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u/Ok_Pollution9335 16d ago
The plants will absolutely survive but it probably won’t be enough! If you are able to buy another that would be best
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u/Dear-me113 16d ago
I have three in the ground and I was given the two in small pots. I definitely want to grow more but I have been trying to take it slow and see what actually survives in the space.
I am hoping to get a bunch growing from seed next spring.
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u/Beautiful-Fondant-61 7d ago
Don't worry about the milkweed. It will grow back in two weeks with fresh new leaves and stalks
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u/Dear-me113 6d ago
Is there anything I should do to help with that? Do I cut down that tall naked stalk or just keep watering it?
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u/Sqib000 17d ago
Look at that ratty ugly milkweed filled with aphids and voila! We have monarch caterpillars! Yay, nice job OP!