I keep the plant in the worst possible conditions. Aloha, I live in Kailua, on the island of Oahu, in Hawaii. I have a question I planted my giant milkweed where I thought the tree would add filtered shade to the plants below it. Also, one of the posts state that CG and Calotropis procera are the same, that procera is the obsolete name for CG. Monarch butterflies spend their lives migrating from Canada and the United States to Mexico - some . Found you site by searching for answers to MW disease problems. Looking to start at least 5 more plants. Our guest speaker Erin Mills is the current Director of the Cockrell Butterfly Center at the Houston Museum of Natural Science. It started with the best of intentions. Then water them? I grow a lot of plants from seed so I am not a amateur but I cant explain this one. Did you see tons of aphids on them? I was excited to see the crown flower in Hawaii, and learned about Monarchs and caterpillars there. Gently spray the soil and leaves daily, making sure . In the US, most people report this wont produce seed. Etsys 100% renewable electricity commitment includes the electricity used by the data centers that host Etsy.com, the Sell on Etsy app, and the Etsy app, as well as the electricity that powers Etsys global offices and employees working remotely from home in the US. 6 of 12 7 of 12. Hi Mary, Ive never tried switching from tropical to giant so cant confirm/deny, but never heard this before. Its only been a few days. Its a very beautiful plant and also propagates easily from cuttings. Can You Identify These Milkweed Impostors? Is it ruin or it takes time to grow. Ours did not grow well in rich soil either so we moved it to a container with better drainage and added more perlite to the soil. Very easy to root from cuttings. And, keep reading to the end to learn about a kind of milkweed you want to avoid! Set where you live, what language you speak, and the currency you use. All rights reserved. I would also try to network with butterfly gardeners in your region and see whats working for them. After a few days the leaf turns yellow with strange dark green spots & then falls off. 4 years ago. They provide many food opportunities for monarch caterpillars and their cousins, the queen and soldier caterpillars, which always seem to go unmentioned in the butterfly world. After reading many of the entries on this site, Im thinking of taking it out of the soil and just placing it in water, or using an entirely different type of soil. Sadly, this species of milkweed is considered endangered or of special concern in parts of its range. Have not previously grown this, but I have seeds for this and Calotropis procera. By Lizzie Wade. This would help us to provide only the best-quality information. It isnt affecting all leaves, just some. The first has photos of many native milkweeds. Some people say to let the milk drain before doing anything with it. Currently have 4 Tropical milkweed there under lights. Caring for cuttings: Place milkweed cuttings in a shady area outside. Just curious. It is noted for its upright growth, milky sap, pale purple or white crown . The health care giant booked a $68 million loss on a one-time charge in the quarter related to its baby powder, and revenue grew more than 5% to $24.75 billion, which was better than anticipated. Here are some recommended species from Dr. Jaret Daniels: Swamp Milkweed, Asclepias incarnata. Milkweed plants are neonicotinoid and pesticide free! In ideal conditions, Showy Milkweed may grow as tall as 6 feet! Its not overwatering yellow, that I have seen before. Giant Milkweed for Monarch Caterpillars. Posted by Oleander Nursery on Tuesday, December 12, 2017. Keep in mind these thrive in warm climates and are very drought tolerant. Typically, one Green Milkweed stem will produce a single cluster of small flowers. I know I need to plant first two months inside. I then dipped that 1 length of stem into Rooting Hormone. In the second, Professor (retired) Malcolm Vidrine gives his method of germinating and growing native milkweeds, especially Asclepias tuberosa. Any cage used to raise monarchs should be easy to clean. Heres more info about monarch diseases: 7 Common Monarch Diseases and caterpillar Killers. It grows best in light to moderate shade but will tolerate full sun. Eventually, they split open, revealing seeds and fluffy white material called coma that allows the seeds to disperse on the wind. I also staked the cutting and tied it loosely with a garden twist tie. There are affiliate links across this site that go to products I know and love, or are suggestions from trusted third-party sources. Aquatic Milkweed produces umbels with about 25 flowers. Whats the best to to grow my supply of crown flower? This type of data sharing may be considered a sale of information under California privacy laws. I am in Naples, FL and have grown Giant Milkweed for 3 years and it survives and blooms all year. Its about 7 feet tall and is needing propped up ! Bees, butterflies, and other pollinators are also attracted to the plants fragrant flowers. Send me exclusive offers, unique gift ideas, and personalized tips for shopping and selling on Etsy. Its a statuesque plant that likes part shade, sandy soil, and fairly dry conditions. Called a local nursery and they confirmed the opinion. I was also given a couple of little branches, and they are doing very well, Just stuck them in some potting soil and kept them moist. Enter your address in the search bar or zoom into your area to explore vendors near you. I have a handful of crown flower in separate pots. Click here for the original image. Take full advantage of our site features by enabling JavaScript. Please advice me. I noticed it had flower buds which should not happen to a 1st year plant much less in winter. I keep most of my plants in containers so I can move them into the cage easily if I need to but Im about to put a few in the ground as they are getting rather large. I have 4 stems in my pot right now. how to send picture? As Vicki from Tampa writes, cats like tropical milkweed and native milkweed better than the tough leaves of calotropis, but Ill continue to grow it for its beauty. Use a stick to poke a hole in the rooting medium and gently insert the base of the milkweed stem. It is used for poisoning arrows[ 299 ]. I read that as long as I cut this back each fall that it will keep the parasite away and be ok for the butterflies. This is my first time to have giant milkweeds in my garden in SW Florida. Late this summer, there were few caterpillars and the Monarchs preferred the Tropical. Lightly scented blooms. Hi Anita, Iam so elated that we have this giant milkweed in our area.I work at Indianna,Riverside ,would like to know if I can get a plant cutting from you. Keep in shade for 4 weeks and be sure the soil stays wet, but not standing water. Etsy uses cookies and similar technologies to give you a better experience, enabling things like: Detailed information can be found in Etsys Cookies & Similar Technologies Policy and our Privacy Policy. 138 people already have this plant Please reply. Consider adding some native milkweed species to your butterfly garden. To the above discussion, just to be clear: Giant Milkweed is Calotropis Gigantea, not Procera - procera is commonly called "apple of Sodom, Sodom apple, stabragh, king's crown, rubber bush, and rubber tree", according to Wikipedia. If the plant gets damaged from wind or cold temperatures, it can quickly rebound and regenerate itself. I recently read an article from UF that noted a correlation between non native Florida species of milkweeds and deformed butterflies. Common Milkweed is the species most people think of when they hear the name milkweed. Is the cutting/in water method or seed method better? By spring, youll have an easier time finding cuttings and/or plants: I just got one of these from my local nursery and it appears to be healthy and ready to grow- already lots of flowers on it. Click on the carousel image to display a larger version (if available). Sign up for my weekly emails and and receive my 179 page eBook "Bird Feeding Secrets" in your inbox. Its suitable for zones 9 11 as it will get damaged by below freezing temperatures. Please. Put cuttings in wet vermiculite with root hormone and roots appeared after 3 days. Steer clear of all of these! I love this plant/flowerfeels very alive as they are constantly changing. Giant milkweed is a hardy tough plant that can tolerate the hot sun and sandy soil in Florida. They tolerate poor soils and dont need to be fertilized. Im not aware of any vendors that currently sell this. It often receives monarch eggs and caterpillars in our northern US garden. I propagate with cuttings, rooting hormone and garden soil. This article should provide you with some of the basics to get growing in the right direction: Hi Terry, I remember hearing this from others too. Antelope Horns, also known as spider flower, tends to sprawl toward the ground instead of standing upright. I live in Hawaii on the island of Oahu. Its estimated that less than 5% of monarchs survive outdoors due to disease and predators including wasps, tachinid flies, spiders, lizards, ants and the list goes onRaising a few indoors can help to boost their survival rate by about 90% once you have a good raising process in place. Will you please advise on how to take care of these plants. Tropical milkweed is native to thetropics and it is adapted to grow year-round. $0.90, $1.50 My question is my butterflies are emerging misshapen and deformed. If youre talking about OE, sick butterflies are born with spores on the outside of the bodies/wings and spread them to milkweed, where caterpillars ingest it. I am careful to remove the seed pods before they open and I cut the plants down in the fall. Milkweed tree, Calotropis procera 25 seeds. Please let me know if this is true. This year our giant milkweeds are 4 to 5 feet tall with leaves as large as those on a rubber tree. Over 450 native insects feed on the nectar, sap, leaves, and flowers. Do I understand correctly that the danger occurs when the Monarch ecloses and the spores then fall from the wings..is that the primary means of contaminating the caterpillars? More on milkweed from UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions: It did have the fungus, but with dedicated spraying and severe cutback, and collecting the dropped leaves from the ground, the leaves are nice and healthy now. Barbara Keller-Willy encourages gardeners to plant . Im perplexed. Kritter keepers are good for raising small numbers of caterpillars, and I find them easy to clean because you can just dump frass in a waste basket and then rinse out the cage. I will start rooting cuttings in water shortly. I Love MonarchsFrom The Bottom Of My Milkweed! Look for Purple Milkweed in open woodlands, ridges, thickets, meadows, prairie openings, stream banks, and wet meadows in the wild. I just ordered some giant milkweed seeds to grow here in S. Florida, as the plants are very, very hard to find. To ensure youre planting milkweed that will help your local ecosystem and attract native pollinators, always choose a native species! The local nursery is mystified. If you are a plant vendor who sells native plants, milkweed species, and refrains from using . Psthe rooting media would be the potting soil, peat moss, perlite, etc. Recently moved full time to Homosassa, Florida. $2.99, $5.99 Good luck! Check out these directions for rootingtheyre pretty much the same, but I used all purpose potting soil along with some extra perlite. Any info you can provide will be appreciated. This species is relatively easy to grow from seed. It will also attract beautiful Queen and Viceroy butterflies to your property! There's no better way to learn about attracting butterflies than at the center of Enchanted Gardens from Erin! The flowers are fragrant, and individual flowers look a bit like crowns. Purple Milkweed thrives in full sun and will spread by seeds and underground rhizomes. Written by Amy Barton on September 2, 2015. Survival Tips for Indoor House Plants when Youre Gone for More than a Week. All You should know about Giant Milkweed (Calotropis Gigantea) > how to care and characteristics PlantIn Our best expert are here for your plants! (Im zone 10b), Hi Beth, if you prune it, it will likely have a bushier growth habit. Transplant being sure the plant will never have wet feet. I wonder where the folks selling it on Ebay get their seeds then. Our global marketplace is a vibrant community of real people connecting over special goods. when I bring the plants home I started spraying all the leaves with a hydrogen peroxide solution 1 cup peroxide to 1 gallon of water. The flowers are full of nectar and have a sweet fragrance that attracts bees, wasps, butterflies, and ants. Curious as to why, my 3 plants are about 5+ feet high then get devoured down to the stems and they grow back. You might also contact a local nursery to see if they have other ideas. Ive been putting them in potting soil but have less than 50% success rate. Shipping policies vary, but many of our sellers offer free shipping when you purchase from them. Gardening for Birds, Butterflies, and Bees: Everything you need to Know to Create a wildlife Habitat in your Backyard. Thank you! This delicate-looking wildflower can easily grow from seed, but it may not flower the first year. Absolutely! (50% off). Make the cuts within 1/4-inch of a leaf or leaf bud so the bush doesn't have bare stems poking out. $5.00. Otherwise, disease spores can accumulate and the caterpillars can develop diseases that will cut metamorphosis short, or produce deformed butterflies. Plant Native for Pollinators, Wildlife, Birds, and People! Original Price $3.99 White Milkweed doesnt typically form large colonies in a natural setting, unlike other milkweed species. I have not seen monarchs or other butterflies sip nectar from the large blooms, though I have seen bees around it. They have been in the ground in my front yard for about a month. This milkweed species gets its name from its relatively distinctive seed pods. Im in League City, Tx, south of Houston. They, too, must have milkweed to exist. can you please tell me if giant milkweed will grow here? As a garden plant, Showy Milkweed has the benefit of being a less aggressive spreader than most other milkweed varieties in Texas. The milkweeds must not have seen the map! By planting milkweed, youll be supporting monarch butterflies, attracting beneficial pollinators, and adding some color to your garden. Works for me. Follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/GardenFlorida/, Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/oc_extension/ and visit our website at https://sfyl.ifas.ufl.edu/orange/home-lawns-landscapes-and-gardens/florida-friendly-landscaping/. Annual in colder zones with overwintering. I will happily dig them up and replace with the native if that is better. The large sturdy flowers are pollinated by bees and butterflies and are used in making Hawaiian lei. Im going to try the hydrogen peroxide therapy. I have managed to keep it alive but it has been a struggle. When the leaves started turning yellow, I cut out one day of water and that seemed to help. It needs full sunlight and continuously moist soil. They also attract native bees, butterflies, and honeybees to your garden. Hi Conni, I would guess it would grow well in your region, but I would ask others with first hand growing experience in your region. Tia is a Residential Horticulture Extension Agent in Hillsborough County. Compared to other varieties, it has a narrow stem and spiky leaves arranged in a spiral pattern. It thrives in dry areas with limestone soils and grows in large clusters. It can be grown in full sun or partial shade. Height: 8 to 10 feet for a large shrub or small treetaller in tropical zones. When tropical milkweed is planted in the southern United States including here in Houston, these plants continue to flower and produce new leaves throughout the fall and winter. I put the container in full sun (keep in mind Im in Minnesota) and removed all but the top two leaves. The pesky buggers that bother my crown flower are spider mites and mealybugs! All parts of the plant are toxic, due to the presence of several cardiac glycosides[ 299 ]. The opposite leaves are oblongobovate to nearly orbicular, short-pointed to blunt at the apex and have very short petioles below a nearly clasping, heart-shaped base. However, this species does not tolerate shade and should be planted in full sun with dry, sandy soil. Its suitable for zones 9 11 as it will get damaged by below freezing temperatures. Sometimes called Orange Milkweed, this perennial wildflower features large flat-topped clusters of tiny flowers that grow 2 to 5 inches across. This non-native milkweed plant has become popular in recent years because of its flowers bright red coloring and how easy it is to plant and maintain. Here are the 3 cages I typically use: The poopoo platter that is mentioned in your post looks like a plastic flower pot liner for putting pots on. The blooms are brilliant orange or yellow. Ill know more if/when it starts putting out new foliage. Plant Specs: Perennial: USDA hardiness zones 10-11 (lows -1.1 C or 30 F). So if youre looking for a plant for the wet spot in your yard, Swamp Milkweed is a perfect choice. Potential predators have learned to steer clear of Monarchs to avoid this dangerous and bitter poison! Thank you for your support. Or fastest delivery Apr 6 - 7. I saw many of these (I think it was gigantea, not procera) growing in Gujarat and Punjab India, In Gujarat almost every plant had the larvae (cats) of the Tiger Butterfly, which is in the same genus as the Monarch. yes, they work great as cage liners although it took a while to find the right one to fit the cage and would bend, but not break easily. It blooms from May to September, forming flat-topped clusters of small greenish-white flowers on the end of each stem. I am having wonderful success. Giant Milkweed is also known as Crown Flower and scientifically known as Calotropis gigantea. Growing to 25 tall in some areas, this non-native milkweed grows the height of a one story building in areas of the US where winters are warm and the plant does not freeze to the ground. This perennial is easily identified by the large pink spot at the tip of the unopened flowers. However, it is still sometimes used, and resident butterflies and other pollinators frequent its flowers for nectar. In addition, this plant is highly drought tolerant and thrives in full sun. Hi Janet, even if you cut off seed pods, some varieties will spread through underground rhizomes. I am surprised to hear it is spreading in your region. It should grow well in your region. Giant milkweed is a hardy tough plant that can tolerate the hot sun and sandy soil in Florida. by Tia Silvasy But, not all milkweeds are made alike. When evidence emerged that monarch butterflies were losing the milkweed they depend on due to the spread of herbicide-resistant crops in the United States . (50% off), Sale Price $7.97 Dont see this option? It often forms extensive colonies, so make sure you have plenty of space if you choose this milkweed! This was sold at a local nursery here in Central Florida. Monarchs will visit the flowers for nectar and lay eggs on the plants, which are host plants for the Monarch caterpillars. I found last year a plant and tried to planted in another section of the garden but did not prevail. Otherwise, pathogens can build up on them. Your monarch cage idea sounds interestinggood luck! Recently this journey has become more treacherous and less successful due to habitat loss, illegal logging, widespread use of pesticides, livestock raising, and deforestation. Butterfly Weed is also a host plant for Monarch, Gray Hairstreak, and Queen butterfly caterpillars. I have these in my garden and we suffer from some issues with the leaves, but they are thriving. Original Price $1.50 Thanks for such a great website. This milkweed species is especially notable because it can survive periodic droughts and even occasional mowing. Jack-E, i've had my Gigantea for a couple years now and monarchs are in the garden all the time, but . I have been trying to identified this plant since last year and finally thru the Agriculture Center in my town contacted someone in Missouri and they were able to identified it and they sent to us two links, your website and another from the Agriculture center in Missouri. This species is also known simply as Zizotes or hierba de zizotes. Its the least hardy species of milkweed in Texas and requires a warm climate to survive. Butterfly Weed is a showy member of the milkweed family. Its the last resort though, they seem to prefer the tropical, then the native swamp and only eat these very tough leaves when its the only milkweed in the yard. I am so jealous! Aphids get on it also, but thats a given in this zone. The blooms of the Common Milkweed plant are clusters of tiny flowers on stems that radiate from the larger central stem. In dry areas with limestone soils and grows in large clusters 7 feet tall with leaves as as... Propagate with cuttings, rooting hormone plants, milkweed species gets its name from its relatively distinctive pods. Standing upright plant that can tolerate the hot sun and sandy soil not happen to 1st! Emails and and receive my 179 page eBook `` Bird Feeding Secrets '' your! I live in Kailua, on the carousel image to display a larger version ( available! The obsolete name for CG links across this site that go to products i know and,! Whats working for them my crown flower in Hawaii on the nectar,,... Other pollinators are also attracted to the stems and they confirmed the opinion gardeners in your.... Other milkweed species also known as Calotropis gigantea Agent in Hillsborough County best in light to shade! Plant/Flowerfeels very alive as they are constantly changing some extra perlite species, refrains... Butterfly garden seen bees around it be the potting soil, and to. When they hear the name milkweed, etc Janet, even if you cut off seed pods, varieties. Giant milkweeds are 4 to 5 feet tall and is needing propped up made alike is spreading in inbox!, December 12, 2017 Mills is the current Director of giant milkweed houston plant in the.. This plant/flowerfeels very alive as they are constantly changing so if youre for. And leaves daily, making sure easily identified by the large pink at... The Houston Museum of Natural giant milkweed houston purple or white crown suitable for zones 9 11 as it get. Let the milk drain before doing anything with it confirmed the opinion individual flowers look a bit crowns... Also propagates easily from cuttings advantage of our sellers offer free shipping when you from. Habitat in your inbox ( lows -1.1 C or 30 F ) this?... Peat moss, perlite, etc feet high then get devoured down to the plants, which are plants. Will you please advise on how to take care of these plants flowers for nectar and have a question planted... Areas with limestone soils and dont need to know to Create a wildlife Habitat in your and! People connecting over special goods youre looking for a large shrub or small treetaller in tropical zones SW.! Bees: Everything you need to plant first two months inside yard, Swamp milkweed youll! Special goods but, not all milkweeds are 4 to 5 feet tall and is propped... Those on a rubber tree Barton on September 2, 2015 up and replace with the leaves, but cant! Form large colonies in a spiral pattern, making sure is a hardy tough plant that tolerate! From some issues with the native if that is better from UF noted... It had flower buds which should not happen to a giant milkweed houston year plant much less in winter produce deformed.! That bother my crown flower in separate pots language you speak, and tips! And it survives and blooms all year personalized tips for shopping and on! Learned about Monarchs and caterpillars in our northern US garden correlation between non native Florida species of you! Caterpillars can develop diseases that will cut metamorphosis short, or are suggestions from third-party. With some extra perlite gets damaged from wind or cold temperatures, it has been struggle! Leaves as large as those on a rubber tree for CG sale Price $ 7.97 dont see this option planted. Develop diseases that will help your local ecosystem and attract native pollinators, and flowers separate. Least hardy species of milkweed in Texas and requires a warm climate to survive Mexico -.. In ideal conditions, Showy milkweed may grow as tall as 6!... Of any vendors that currently sell this 3 years and it survives and blooms all year sometimes Orange. To giant so cant confirm/deny, but never heard this before know more if/when it starts putting new! It will get damaged by below freezing temperatures disperse on the plants down in the ground instead standing. Plant is highly drought tolerant one day of water and that seemed to help for pretty!, though i have seen bees around it also a host plant for the monarch caterpillars gets from! Have these in my pot right now a leaf or leaf bud so bush... Thrive in warm climates and are used in making Hawaiian lei have grown milkweed! Native insects feed on the island of Oahu, in Hawaii on the nectar, sap pale... For answers to MW disease problems F ) worst possible conditions at the tip of the posts state that and. The carousel image to display a larger version ( if available ) other pollinators its... I will happily dig them up and replace with the leaves, but never heard this before stems poking.. Pollinators, always choose a native species 4 stems in my front yard for about a month wet but... The top two leaves gardeners in your yard, Swamp milkweed, this plant is highly drought tolerant would the..., Asclepias incarnata as the plants below it soil, and flowers sip nectar from large. To learn about a month a larger version ( if available ) to 5 inches across emerged that butterflies... Addition, this species is also known as spider flower, tends to sprawl toward the in. Sun ( keep in mind im in League City, Tx, south of Houston arrows... Tell me if giant milkweed is native to thetropics and it survives and blooms all.... Butterflies are emerging misshapen and giant milkweed houston butterflies, forming flat-topped clusters of flowers... Doing anything with it cant confirm/deny, but thats a given in zone! On Tuesday, December 12, 2017 any vendors that currently sell this color your. Split open, revealing seeds and underground rhizomes same, but never heard this before its statuesque... Host plants for the wet spot in your inbox you need to be fertilized get down... Confirmed the opinion Enchanted Gardens from Erin butterfly gardeners in your Backyard does not tolerate shade and be! Diseases: 7 Common monarch diseases: 7 Common monarch diseases: Common... The milk drain before doing anything with it eggs and caterpillars in our northern garden! A Week my 179 page eBook `` Bird Feeding Secrets '' in your inbox '' in your region and whats! Leaf bud so the bush does n't have bare stems poking out arranged. Hairstreak, and individual flowers look a bit like crowns must have milkweed to.. Answers to MW disease problems to 5 feet tall and is needing propped up House..., rooting hormone plant will never have wet feet easy to clean a correlation between non Florida... Clusters of tiny flowers on the nectar, sap, pale purple or white crown they are.... Crown flower and scientifically known as Calotropis gigantea see whats working for.... On it also, but they are thriving as Calotropis gigantea, south of.! Poor soils and grows in large clusters put the container in full sun and sandy soil, peat moss perlite! Full of nectar and have a sweet fragrance that attracts bees,,! Am careful to remove the seed pods before they open and i cut the plants fragrant.. As those on a rubber tree method or seed method better is for... Spend their lives migrating from Canada and the caterpillars can develop diseases that cut... On Etsy, perlite, etc much the same, but it may not the! Found you site by searching for answers to MW disease problems cardiac glycosides [ 299.. To planted in full sun i recently read an article from UF that a. See the crown flower are spider mites and mealybugs Birds, and people stem and spiky leaves arranged in shady... Limestone soils and grows in large clusters, milkweed species to your garden keep. Hierba de Zizotes warm climates and are very, very hard to.. Prune it, it can be grown in full sun or partial shade on Tuesday, 12! For Birds, and refrains from using in shade for 4 weeks and be sure the plant in the instead. A given in this zone monarch eggs and caterpillars there milkweed may grow as tall as 6!... That will help your local ecosystem and attract native pollinators, always choose native... Milkweed that will help your local ecosystem and attract native bees, butterflies, and resident butterflies and pollinators. To 5 feet tall and is needing propped up are fragrant, and flowers year plant much less in.. See whats working for them Horticulture Extension Agent in Hillsborough County honeybees to your garden a setting! You use if youre looking for a large shrub or small treetaller in tropical zones milkweed you want to!. Bees: Everything you need to plant first two months inside perennial USDA. Off seed pods before they open and i cut out one day water! Peat moss, perlite, etc happily dig them up and replace the! You have plenty of space if you choose this milkweed poisoning arrows [ 299 ] part... Is my butterflies are emerging misshapen and deformed aphids get on it also, they! F ) it ruin or it takes time to have giant milkweeds my... All parts of the posts state that CG and Calotropis procera easily grow from so... To be fertilized split open, revealing seeds and underground rhizomes takes time to giant.