In Central FL need milkweed for our cats!

[mickapoo]

Hi all, we are raising monarch cats for my daughter's kindergarten class and we are about all out of milkweed and cannot seem to find any more. The local nurseries that do have some have either all been cut back or have no foliage on them. If anyone knows where we can get some healthy (obviously pesticide free) milkweed with lots of foliage on it, please let us know! We have even been looking around roadways and highways and cannot spot any. We are in Volusia County but could go to either Flagler or the Orlando area as well to pick it up if it's lush and healthy! Thank you!

[Mona Miller]

I posted your message to the dplex-L email list.
http://www.monarchwatch.org/dplex/index.htm

[Mona Miller]

"Did they try Educational Science? I have purchased milkweed plants from them before. I don’t know if they are seasonal or not, but it may be worth a try. www.educationalscience.com
Suzanne, Milltown, NJ"

[Mona Miller]

"If they are willing to Gainesville, FL - The Butterfly Rainforest at UF Museum of Natural History has a supplier they get their Milkweed from that is Pesticide free and always looks good. They sold me 18 plants last fall and we release 150 monarchs in November.
http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/butterflies/
They can call the University of FL and ask they pick up an order for them. This is the main # for the McGuire Center. (352) 392-5894 Be sure to ask for someone that is in charge of plant sales.
Hope this is helpful!
Deb Powers
Atlantic Beach,FL"

[mickapoo]

Thanks for sending those responses Mona. I'll check them out. If anyone in the Central FL area (Orlando -Seminole/Orange counties, Volusia or Flagler County) knows of where I can get some healthy lush milkweed still please pass the info along if you don't mind. Thanks!

[skates4marty]

See thread "Feeding cucumber to cats"

[Mona Miller]

Pumpkin, cucumber, etc. should only be fed to 5th instars. Earlier instars don't do well on it.