help them or leave them alone?

[CristyW]

I am a complete newbie to Monarch siting, conservation, etc but from visiting this site have realized what to look for and now notice I have a passel of Monarch caterpillars on my Mexican milkweed (my boys spotted them and we came here to ID them, plus we have seen Monarchs hanging out on that plant). They have just about eaten it up, and it is the only one I have. I am afraid they are going to run out of food. I walked around the neighborhood but don't see any native milkweed (not sure I'd recognize it, but kept eyes out for anything flowering or with butterflies hovering over it like they do my MM). Should I leave them alone and hope for the best, or is there something I can do for them? My boys (6 and would LOVE to get one of those net butterfly habitats and try to hatch some, but I'm not sure we can educate ourselves fast enough to take care of these guys since we don't know where to get them more food.

[Keith Petrosky]

Order some milkweed from this site. It can live for years after the caterpillars feasted on it. I have mine in the house for decoration, since it's winter.

[Teresa]

Does it survive in pots? I've had milkweed in pots but it doesn't seem to last more than a couple years.

[Keith Petrosky]

I've had the same 2 mexican milkweed plants in pots for 3 years, and they still produce flowers and seeds. I bring them inside for the fall,winter, and early spring.

[Teresa]

Do you have pets? I know the plant is toxic so i'm affraid to bring them into the house.

[Keith Petrosky]

My grandfather watches them for me over the winter, he only has a canary which is not near the plants.