Milkweed contaminated fungal

[terrifly]

Can Swamp Milkweed become contaminated with a fungus or something on its own suddenly from very rainy weather or humidity ? Or does there have to be other factors envolved?
Thanks

[Mona Miller]

There is a natural coloration of the swamp mikweed in the fall. It gets purple splotches on the leaves. This is not a virus or a fungus. I just cut back my swamp and took all of those leaves off. It will flush with new growth for the fall Monarchs.

[terrifly]

The color looks fine I am just trying to figure out what would be making a few of the cats vomit green. Its not pesticide or poison. I was thinking bacterial or fungal. These cats were from wild eggs
and kept seperated from my monarch watch cats. They ate fresh washed cuttings from the same swamp milkweed plants. But at an obvious later time because they were found later.
All of the monarch watch cats are chrysalis now...all the wild egg cats have died after the liquid green started.
Just a thought..
Terri

[Mona Miller]

I've found that pet owners that use flea medicines can transfer that to the caterpillars or the food. You have to wash your hands thoroughly.

If it is not that, there is a possibility that your milkweed is stressed. When that happens it can build up more toxins. I had some caterpillars leaking green earlier in the season. And a few pupae turned brown. I discarded and/or separated them from any other caterpillars.

[lcbergan]

Sadly, had to euthanize catt in crysalis as others died in same jar. Fear my milkweed has OE and cutting it down. Have just become aware of dogbane as I look for wild milkweed. Will Monarchs lay eggs on dogbane? Really hard for me to distinguish and have been raising monarchs for years. Now ready to do as a fall unit with my preschool class again. Last year great success as we raised and tagged 50. My children are mostly hispanic and they and their parents were awed by the trip the monarchs make to Mexico.

[terrifly]

I know made sound very strange but could cat spray (pee) contaminate milkweed?
I went out and checked my milkweed plants made sure everything looked ok. I took the top soil off about 3 inches and put fresh soil in the pot. But I smelled that there must have been a cat roaming somewhere and it must have sprayed somewhere. I could smell it but I couldnt be positive that it was on the pot or the plant. I moved the plants over near my other flower gardenfor a change and see if that helps.

Terri

[Mona Miller]

I have no idea, but I would rinse them off thoroughly.

[terrifly]

That is the first thing I did ....and I dont smell it over where I moved them. So I dont think thats what it was. I think there are several people having some of the same kind of issues and I am wondering if its the weather,rain and the affect on the milkweed?
Terri

[terrifly]

There is definitely something wrong with the one swamp milkweed plant leaves now. Looks like a powdery mildew or fungus. I have checked the plant very carefully and there are no cats or eggs and I put it in the garage for now(its in a pot). I wanted to ask first ,can I cut the plant down and how far down should I go? I will be putting it into the ground this or sooner if you advise that.

Thanks

[Mona Miller]

I cut my swamp milkweed down to about 18 inches. I also pulled off all the leaves. It is starting to leaf out again. It was purple and yellowing due to fall approaching.

If you are going to plant it, I would do it soon.