Hi Everyone

[windrider]

My name is Bill and I've been addicted to monarchs since I found two 5th instars two years ago and actually raised them to adults.

Then I went out and did it again last year....

This year I saw a monarch flitting from milkweed leaf to milkweed leaf and investigated and - now I have 18 little ones munching away in a plastic bin in my basement right behind me...17 hatched from eggs, 1 I found outside...I 'm hoping to put more than just 2 adults into the migration pattern this year.

[Mona Miller]

I almost feel like I'm a member of Monarchs Anonymous. I've been addicted for 18 years. OMG I actually get withdrawal symptoms after the Monarchs are gone and get depressed if they take to long to return. It was late July this year. Thank God there are other butterflies and moths around so I can raise them, too. I'd be in terrible shape, if I couldn't have my butterfly fix.

We are all hoping to put as many as we can into the migration this year.

Thank you for helping the Monarchs. If there are any questions that we can answer, please pick a topic and ask away.

Welcome!

P.S. Sorry for my Avatar, I've been exposed to (Genetically Modified Organism) GMO crops--an inside joke. You'll find out soon.

[windrider]

The 'meadow' that my milkweed patch is in was actually created as a means to reduce the amount of lawn being mowed. I have other areas, but I made the patch 'cause milkweed is a beautiful plant that not only is beneficial to a fine looking butterfly, but also bears an interesting flower...and as for the fruit: a bit of spray paint and hot glue, along with some fancy decorations, and you have a cute little decoration for whatever interests you. The birds and mice and chipmunks can find their own interest in the fluff of the seed

Now add a bit of coneflower to the patch, some yarrow, and even sunflowers to really make it interesting....

As for your avatar...i exist in virtual worlds where that is mild....

[Mona Miller]

If you go to the "User Control Panel" which is upper left. You can choose an avatar, too.

And, then click "Profile".

Click "Edit Avatar".

In the center, click "Display Gallery".

It's a drop down list. Have fun!

My avatar changes from time to time. But, inside I'm always the same person.

In the "FAQ" section, there's lots of info on posting pictures, making a signature line, etc.

[windrider]

Thank you...I actually have decided to go avatar-less for now...till something comes my way that I think is decent to put up...

[blazing star]

Hi Bill,

You should check out native plant nurseries in your area. With a good butterfly book, you will find a lot of different native plants and shrubs that would act as butterfly host plants for the other butterflies that nectar in your yard. Spicebush, wafer ash, pussytoes, viburnum, hackberry, oak and paw paw are all host plants and I believe you get most of the same butterflies that I do hear.

Wafer ash was planted to host the giant swallowtail and I'm now raising eastern tiger swallows from this small tree. So, you may even be rewarded with a couple surprises planting this stuff.

[windrider]

My native nursery is the one behind my house

I WAS going to remove the hawksweed and thistle from the patch, but I think the goldfinch will gang up and buzz me if I do. But my next addition is going to be some sassafras plants and a paper birch to replace a spruce I had to take down in July. The back yard is full of red maple (what we call swamp maple) and - although the neighbors hate me - I've adopted some black cherry.

I took the Nature.com "wildlife university" they used to have when it was still run by the NWF, and I used to have a backyard wildlife habitat number.

[blazing star]

So cool! I love hearing that other people have adopted native plantings. I see the diversity it's created in my yard. Besides butterflies, my favorite occurrences are the bats and the lightening bugs. Both were nowhere to be found before my transition.

There is one native thistle (that I know of) in my locale but it can still be weedy. It's used by a type of butterfly as a host plant. Not sure they'd use the invasive kind of thistle but I'm doubtful.

I snagged two large trees, a silver maple and a siberian elm, for the woodpeckers and to make room for a hackberry and an oak. Wonder what my neighbors think about me......

[Mona Miller]

They think you are nuts, we love you. I'm sure mine think that I'm nuts. I cultivate weeds. I don't use pesticides. I grow butterflies/moths. And, I have so much fun watching the whole cycle. The Mourning Cloaks caterpillars that I'm raising actually have spines upon their spines and hurt like being stuck with a needle, if you don't watch how you pick them up. I actually talk to the butterflies that I'm releasing (my neighbors can probably hear me) out loud. I also talk with the cateprillars.

I drive away at odd times of the early morning and sometimes late at night and come back with large totes of milkweed and other host plant. I go out with a flashlight and pick leaves late at night. I'm so busy during butterfly season that I'm not very social with them. I spend way too much time with my butterflies.

[blazing star]

It's so nice to have a site where we can all be a little weird about this kind of stuff and discuss it without being judged. You're not the only one with a flash light! Ha ha

[windrider]

What is nice about native plants is that they don't need to be doted on...

And I think they are just as beautiful...

compare a monarch to a damn Gypsy Moth....

[Mona Miller]

I love my native plants (weeds), but I only love a few of the non-native ones. Zinnias, Cosmos, ... butterflies do, too.

[windrider]

We're never going to get away from non-natives...that was the attitude that had me in disfavor with some at the NWF Wildlife U. I love my lavender - and my roses and my tomatoes and some other plants that are not native. The only ones I do get concerned about are the ones that become invasive and noxious.

[Mona Miller]

Gotta plant some plants for the people and the butterflies. But, pollinators especially butterflies love lavender. Brazilian Verbenia is a buzz with skippers this year. Large butterflies use it too. I love my bright lights cosmos, too. And, Mexican Sunflower--the Monarchs love it. These aren't invasive. Annuals fill in when perennials stop blooming. This year I also planted Mexican Zinnias again.

But, I do love my NY Iron Weed, Joe Pye Weed, Goldenrods, Boneset (my Fragrant Boneset is about to bloom--I get White-M Hairstreaks on that), Tickseed, Green Coneflower, Cardinal Flower, Sneezeweed, Rudbeckia, Liatris, many, many species of Goldenrods and milkweeds. Plus, the Asters, they are just starting to bloom. And, many native mints, too.