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Butterfly Garden

Ailing Asclepias Incarnata

15 years ago

Hello all:

I figured this was the best place to come for help. Last year I grew a few clumps of milkweed and they grew beautifully, flowered, and I had lots of monarchs in my yard. I cut them back in the fall, and they have now grown to about 4 feet tall, and have buds forming. One clump started sort of 'drooping' just at the top of each stem last week, and some of the leaves started to curl as if it had leaf-roller. I inspected the plants and could find nothing. But when I went out on Monday (after lots of rain) the plants had all fallen over - spread out like a fan. I am including a pic. of them after I had tied them up. I went out again today with a magnifying glass and could see nothing. Does anyone have any idea what the problem might be? All the other clumps are fine, including one very close by. Any ideas would be appreciated.

Northerner.

{{gwi:396234}}

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Comments (3)

butterflyman
15 years ago
Plants die - sometimes for no particular reason that you can figure out.

These actually look like they've been spray with a weed killer, but that's only a guess.

It could also be some sort of root disease.
The only solution then is to plant in a different location.
butterflymomok
15 years ago
Do you have gophers? They ate the roots off of my incarnata and it did exactly what yours is doing. They especially like to nibble after rains when the digging is easier. I took the plant and repotted the parts and had two plants instead of one. You will have to put the plant in a mini greenhouse to save. Or you can clip off the leaves and blooms to allow the plant to grow more roots to sustain the top.

I think if you dig up your plant, you'll find something has happened to the roots, either a gopher, root nematodes, or root rot. The top looks healthy except for the wilt.

Sandy
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northerner_on
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks for your responses,Butterfly lovers. I think I will dig and discard the whole thing. It is probably a disease which I do not want to spread to my very valuable lilies nearby. I have other clumps, they are easy to grow from seed and flower in one season, and I have more seed. I can replace them Asclepias curassavica seedlings I have waiting for a home. Thanks again.
Northerner.

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?what to do with this little guy?

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