I have raised and released thousands of Monarchs over 23 years. In 2007 I raised 2600 working 8 hrs a day 7 days a week. My average would be about 600 a year. A few years ago I realized that they were dying a day or 2 after hatching. So have been also collecting all the eggs I can find. This past summer I only got 15. We have lots of milkweed up here, if only they could have made it this far. Very troubling. I have pictures of the batch I raised in 2007. In 2002 millions died in Mexico, but I did get quite a few each year, then 2007 came along, they were everywhere. This year was certainly the worse, hopefully they will come back like they did in 2007.
gary - 11 years ago
I have 3 plants growing in the back flower bed and the fragrance is fantastic. I'll get the seeds and spread them in the conservation area behind the house in pesticide free Caledon. Will the seeds need to be dug in?
I haven't seen Monarchs here for a few years now.
revelation - 11 years ago
with all the poison being used in the fields, killing off all the honey bees why is everyone so surprised we are seeing the loss of our birds,beed butterflies etc. Time to deal with the poison manufacturers and users.
Linda Roe - 11 years ago
Part of the solution to the absence of the monarch butterfly may be to plant milkweeds in the gardens and in vacant lots. The plant is vigorous and attractive. Their scent is 'to die for', so fragrant, it is heady and wonderful. They are easy to grow, love the sun, the heat....grow well in dry weather.
Yellow finches love the fluffy white seed 'parachutes' for nesting building purposes or if you didn't want the seeds to blow around, cut them off and put them in your recycle bins.
I have raised and released thousands of Monarchs over 23 years. In 2007 I raised 2600 working 8 hrs a day 7 days a week. My average would be about 600 a year. A few years ago I realized that they were dying a day or 2 after hatching. So have been also collecting all the eggs I can find. This past summer I only got 15. We have lots of milkweed up here, if only they could have made it this far. Very troubling. I have pictures of the batch I raised in 2007. In 2002 millions died in Mexico, but I did get quite a few each year, then 2007 came along, they were everywhere. This year was certainly the worse, hopefully they will come back like they did in 2007.
I have 3 plants growing in the back flower bed and the fragrance is fantastic. I'll get the seeds and spread them in the conservation area behind the house in pesticide free Caledon. Will the seeds need to be dug in?
I haven't seen Monarchs here for a few years now.
with all the poison being used in the fields, killing off all the honey bees why is everyone so surprised we are seeing the loss of our birds,beed butterflies etc. Time to deal with the poison manufacturers and users.
Part of the solution to the absence of the monarch butterfly may be to plant milkweeds in the gardens and in vacant lots. The plant is vigorous and attractive. Their scent is 'to die for', so fragrant, it is heady and wonderful. They are easy to grow, love the sun, the heat....grow well in dry weather.
Yellow finches love the fluffy white seed 'parachutes' for nesting building purposes or if you didn't want the seeds to blow around, cut them off and put them in your recycle bins.