Cghpnd; I suggest you read through some old posts on Gardenweb. Put "monarch" or any of the milkweed names into the search box and look at all the info. First, we always try to collect eggs as soon as they are laid. There are lots of parasitoid flies and wasps that will lay their eggs both in the eggs and in or on the caterpillar. Some of these wasps are smaller than fruit flies (google chaclid wasp). Nectar actually attracts some of these parasitoids. Adult social wasps (yellow jackets, paper wasps, etc.) will eat caterpillars or bring them back to the nest for their young. Bees do not. Even ants, ladybugs, and other small insects will eat eggs and small caterpillars. This is why we look for momma monarch as she lays her eggs and collect them as soon as possible. For milkweeds, as you are realizing, there are lots of different types and each has advantages and disadvantages. For your situation I would have recommended tropical milkweed (A. curassavica). It grows very fast and after being chomped down, regenerates really well. It takes heat really well and will tolerate some dryness. Things that swamp milkweed does not. We grow several different types in a local butterfly house. We grow the tropical in small pots and rotate them in and out. The other issue is that the other milkweeds have very long tap roots. S, they require deep pots. We grow the others directly in the ground. Unfortunately, because they do not regenerate very well, and we lose some every year to caterpillar defoliation. For a hanging basket, one thing you could look into is Honeyvine (Cynanchum leave). It is in the milkweed family and is considered a weed but is actually a really nice plant. It is a vine and has lovely white flowers that smell really good. It grows quickly and monarchs love it. It is quite a valuable monarch plant in the wild. You probably will not find it at any garden center but people will give you seeds. I think I might try planting some in a hanging basket this year. Good luck, Elisabeth

hello your highness melinda I'm very glade to hear you are doing better, I hope you have enjoyed your special month. I will be sending out my box early becouse I'm finnishing up the columbine swap for "candycow" and we are leaving on vacation mid aug. so I need to know to whom will we be bestowing the crown to next? my garden is going great and we have released over 20 butterflys in the last month monarchs, black swallow tails and one buckeye. I have a tiger swallow tail caterpillar, I saw the butterfly fluttering around my apple tree and was thinking what the *^#!#% is she doing, there are not any flowers there? but I watched her a little longer and she layed the egg right in front of me. the little guy hatched about a week ago. we found 3 viceroy (the butterfly looks just like a monarch) caterpillars and they are happily munching on some cherry tree leafs on our front porch. my tomatoes are doing so well I have canned 20 jars of salsa and 12 jars of garlic basil tomatoes. well thats all for now see ya later michelle

Mary, thats crazy! A few months ago I started mysteriously getting catalogues and stuff for my mom. She's lived in the same house I grew up in since about 1990.. and thats 800 miles away from here. Erica, Thats one determined plant. I'm currently on a seek and destroy mission for the following things 1) 'wild' catnip plants, 2) the mysterious vine taking over next to the pond. "Leaves of 5 can't stay alive!" and 3) queen annes lace. Currently all three battles are being lost simultaneously in this picture!!

Here is the criteria taken directly from the "Monarch Watch" website. I'll highlight the size requirement that prevented me from registering: MONARCH WAYSTATION CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS If your monarch habitat site meets or exceeds the general description of a Monarch Waystation set forth below, your site may be certified and registered. Upon certification your site will be included in the International Monarch Waystation Registry, an online listing of Monarch Waystations, and you will be awarded a certificate bearing your name and your sites unique Monarch Waystation ID number. You will also become eligible to purchase a weatherproof Monarch Waystation sign to display at your site, indicating that you have created a habitat for monarch butterflies. Size. There is no upper limit for the size of a Monarch Waystation, but approximately 15 square yards (135 sq feet) should be considered the minimum area required for an effective Monarch Waystation. A suitable monarch habitat can be easily integrated with an existing garden. Exposure. Butterflies and butterfly plants need lots of sun; therefore, monarch habitats need to be located in an area that receives at least six hours of sun a day. Drainage and Soil Type. Milkweeds and nectar plants will do best in relatively light (low-clay) soils. Good drainage is needed to avoid root rot and provide good aeration of the roots. Shelter and Density of Planting. To assure that the maximum number of monarchs survive in your habitat, the plants should be relatively close together. However, they should not be crowded  be sure to follow the planting guides specific to each plant. Monarch eggs, larvae, pupae, and even adults, can become food for many other species; planting milkweeds and nectar plants close to each other provides more shelter for all life stages. Milkweed Plants. To maximize the utilization of your habitat by monarchs, it is desirable to cultivate a number of milkweed species. It is useful to have at least 10 plants of two or more species. However, if you have a large number of shoots (10 or more) of one species, you will have created a monarch habitat. Milkweeds of different species mature and flower at different times during the season. By increasing the number of milkweed species in your habitat you will increase the possibilities that monarchs will utilize your property for a longer period during the breeding season. Nectar Plants. Monarchs, other butterflies, and numerous pollinators need nectar. By providing nectar sources that bloom sequentially during the season (or continuously) as many butterfly plants do, your Monarch Waystation can provide resources for monarchs throughout the breeding season and the migration in the fall. A Monarch Waystation should contain at least 4 plants (annual or perennial) that provide nectar for butterflies. In addition to the above characteristics for a Monarch Waystation, you should also have a plan to sustain the monarch habitat. You can get an idea of what we consider to be sustainable management practices from the questions posed on the application form. Go to the "Monarch Watch Website" (Barb