Without this forum, I'd be lost...

16 years ago

After my daily forum reading (actually about 4-5 times/day) I was reading what miss Sherry was saying about ptelea trifoliatas. I'd never heard of it. After doing a google search, I found that it is native to cen. tx. Then I decided to step outside and look for it. I only had to walk across the street to find it. I knew I'd noticed those seeds hanging on the bush, and wondered what they were. I didn't see any cats, but lots of chewed leaves. Then as I searched more, I found a differnt bush with chewed leaves, and upon closer inspection, found two GST cats. One was at least 3" long, and ready to pupate probably. I don't know what the bush was. Since I don't know how to post photos to this forum, I'll post them on the gallery section, for someone to identify for me. I'd appreciate any help. We live on a creek, on a very wooded lot, and I'm beginning to think maybe I didn't even need to plant any host plants, as it seems they're all growing naturally in my very yard. I am truly blessed. I would not have learned any of this were it not for this forum. The info I've gained from books is very limited.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (19)

Michelle Reynolds
16 years ago
hello
I totaly agree with you. I have learned so much from everyone on this forum. I'm now raising many cats, all due to the great people that were more than happy to help.
thank you, thank you, thank you.
michelle
MissSherry
16 years ago
You're welcome!
We're happy to share whatever knowledge we have to help out butterflies, caterpillars and the rest of the natural world!
Ptelea trifoliata is real easy to start from seed. I left mine on the bush/tree until fall, then pulled them off, stored them in my closet over the winter, planted them in early spring, and about 25 came up. I got so many GST eggs laid on the little plants, I had to cover them with bridal veil to give them a chance to grow, unchewed. GSTs prefer to lay their eggs on ptelea over anything else I've tried, plus tiger swallowtails use it occasionally - it's a great plant!
MissSherry
Related Discussions
Suggestion to forum makers: Vegetable review forum
Q
Comments (24)
The only thing Dave has said that I can disagree with, is that it's 'simple' to find all your posts by typing in your user name in a search. Yes, it does bring up all your posts, but it doesn't bring them up in chronological order. If you've been here for years as many have, you could have many pages of posts to review before you might stumble upon your most recent posts. I gave up on trying to find my posts in that way. I did decide to 'check the box' on each thread I post to, so that it will be sent to my email. That was not easy either. I had to contact support because after repeated efforts to set my account to allow emails, it wasn't changing it. Once I did contact Tamara, they did change it and now I do get emails for the threads I'm following. But, I don't always get them and sometimes they come into my email box days later. lol But, for now, that is working the best so far for trying to keep up with threads I am following. But my email box is now needing a lot more time weeding out. I use the Cornell site to read reviews on different vegetable varieties and like that site. I have however started following others' suggestions that Google/Gardenweb searches turn up better results than GW and have found that works better for me sometimes. I try the search function and if the results are just too random and I find myself *sighing*, I just start a new thread and ask for what I need. edit: I see someone above has said, that sometimes other members 'insist I do a search'. I have rarely had that happen to me, thankfully. My way of looking at it is, that every subject we discuss is a repeat of some earlier discussion. Some of the forums, especially over the winter, are so inactive, that any discussion is a bonus, even a repeat one. If we all did searches and found the answers we needed, we wouldn't need to be discussing live every day. And btw, even if you find posts on the subject you are looking for, they are not always giving you what you want. Sometimes there will be 3 posts on a thread. Or the exact question you wanted to ask was not discussed. Or the person on the forum with the most experience was not on that day. This post was edited by prairiemoon2 on Fri, Jun 27, 14 at 17:07
...See More
I'd like the tea roses to be on the tropical forum
Q
Comments (62)
york_rose, No I have not tried Duchesses de Brabant yet. I had high hopes with the teas and noisettes, because I was able to grow Mdme. Alfred Carriere with no problem. However, I read on the web recently that Mdme. Alfred Carriere is not a true noisette, and may in fact be a bourbon. I guess this explains its hardiness in my zone. Currently I am down to thirteen tea roses, and only three are thriving. I am really surprised by the climber Souv. de Mdme. Leonie Viennot; instead of dying back, it has put on long canes last summer. Mlle. de Sombreuil is also turning out to be quite hardy, and so is Mdme. Joseph Schwartz. I am really hopeful that these could turn out to be the teas that will grow into the stunning roses that I've seen here.
...See More
I'd like the Austin roses to be in the modern forum.
Q
Comments (85)
just 2 things, maybe i'm blind: i went looking for this "modern rose forum" and i can't find it. seems the "modern forum" doesn't exist, and this whole thread has just been a practical joke - congratulations to the OP, you had us going there. and now that i noticed that, i realized something in addition: roses are not actually "modern", but in reality are very old and historical. when speaking of the rose, it might be prefaced by something like: "And now...introducting...the Queen!" a Queen is obviously not anything very modern either, so the whole premise, (or practical joke), of the discussion, is just a farce. There are newer hybrids, of course, just like there are newer hybrids of apples, but no one talks about "modern apples", or "modern wheat", or modern any other plant, because, simply, they are just not really "modern" at all, not like a modern automobile, or a telephone, or a washing machine, or an antibiotic or chemotherapy medicine,rose are, have been, and always will be highly historical, steeped in tradition and culture, and there never will be this alleged "modern rose forum", because that is very simply, a contradiction in terms, and cannot exist. Indeed, if we use the modern search engine "Google", and type in "modern rose forum" - guess what? - there does not even exist a "modern rose forum" anywhere. so before talking about a forum that doesn't exist anywhere, I suggest using "Google", and remember - Google is your friend. Cheers!!! all the best for the holidays and new years, Klinko.
...See More
Thought I 'd wake forum up with pics of recent fragrants.
Q
Comments (15)
Hey Mike.. The day is dark..where's the sun? lol..Wonder if it's going to snow..Has it snowed up east yet, or too early? One thing about snow...it brightens up a home..ever notice? Snow reflects off walls (I only use Semi-Gloss White paint) and other bright objects.. Mike, the things we do for our plants! I've placed aluminum foil behind plants so when we do have sun, it reflects off the foil..lol.. One time, I tried collecting snow for plants..lol...Don't bother. One year, I placed containers outside while it was snowing, blizard-like. The containers collected snow, filled, 'which took forever,' then brought inside to melt..I wanted to cry. There was about 2" of water..lol..All that work for nothing.. Here's another thing I do, but am not recommending. When snow is fresh, I grab a handful and place directly on soil. Most of you reading this are shaking your head, thinking, she's NUTS, lol, but fresh snow, although cold, is pure. The problem doing this is it can chill roots..So, when I add snow, it has to be sunny and early in the morning. Never at night. So far, Thank God, snow has never harmed a plant. Again, I'm NOT telling anyone to do this.. BTW, I don't add snow to cactus and succulents. I agree about caring for our plants like children, with one exception..What's the number one plant killer? OVERWATERING. Sometimes, people kill plants because they're too caring, and continue adding more and more water..Leaves droop, so they think, oh oh it needs more water or fertilizer..then the plant dies.. So, yes, I agree, we need to be alert, (especially when a plant shows signs of distress,) inspect, mist, shower, water when needed, fertilize at the proper time, etc, but never in excess.. BTW, if I'm not mistaken, the number 2 killer is over-fertiliizing. 3 is underwatering. Then there's the INSECT problem..sheesh..in some cases, insects are beyond our control. Especially for those starting out..they go shopping, find a pretty plant, unaware it's loaded with mites, bring home, and a wk later the plant is dead. But never neglect plants either. Heck, I talk and sing to them..lol..you should see my birds when they see me talking, especially singing to a plant..lol..it's hilarious. I found the variegated CC on Ebay..Ebay is the BEST..I wouldnt have half the plants I do if it wasn't for Ebay or the internet in general. Most stores and nurseries here sell the same, old, common plants. When they get something they deem rare, prices are hiked up 100%. Terrible. Oh, I agree, 'playing' with plants is more 'funner' than cooking or cleaning..lol. Oh you do have a MOO??? GReat..Flowers don't last long like you say, similar to tropical Hibiscus. Speaking of which, my Hib tree had several buds and one opened flower..it opened 3 days ago and still going, but starting to look crinkly..I snapped a pic last night, but haven't put it on Flickr yet.. What I'd love to find is a variegated MOO..lol..now that be sometehing..I'd also like to find a variegated Stephanotis..ohhh, wonder if any exist..lol.. Have a wonderful day..hugs, Toni
...See More
Connie Kru
16 years ago
Hi Everyone
I was thinking of buying some seed-I did a research and it indicated 2 years for the seeds to germinate.
http://www.prairiemoon.com/store/template/product_detail.php?IID=228&=5d2b5371fafd06cf341aadd4f600755c#CG
Did you find it took that long Miss Sherry?
Connie
MissSherry
16 years ago
I think you're new to the forum, so - Welcome Connie!
Mine came up the very next spring - I don't know where Prairie Moon got that info. This is the same nursery that sent me some type of clover seeds when I ordered golden alexanders, and when I politely told them about it in an e-mail, they suggested my soil was "compromised" or some other such nonsensical term - PM sends out a nice catalog and has a nice web site, but there seems to be a serious lack of plant knowledge there.
MissSherry
gwynne2006
16 years ago
Yes, I would be lost without this forum as well!
mcronin
16 years ago
DITTO! I start my day with this Forum and usually check in at least one more time each day. I've learned so much, gotten so much support, viewed many great pictures, had tons of laughs and made some good friends on this wonderful Forum. And some of you are even kind enough to heap praise on Camelot and put up with my pictures and DVD of our one-acre butterfly sanctuary. It feels so good to be able to share every day with like-minded people.

mike
tdogmom
16 years ago
DITTO! DITTO!

I've had the pleasure of meeting Mike and his lovely wife Karen (and they live CLEAR across the other side of the continent) and even though they still have not seen the INSIDE of my house they've seen the garden. :) tee-hee (MDN, I am working on the inside today, I promise, but Bill still says 2017...).

I check in at least twice a day if not more often and have learned SO much here. The support is amazing and the friendship, well...it speaks for itself.

Sherry in California

PS: I've also found that many nurseries really do NOT have as much knowledge as I'd expect to find with regards to butterflies and/or plants! It truly astounds me...but then again, I guess nowadays most people who work in nurseries have not gone to university to then go to work in a nursery, right?
susanlynne48
16 years ago
You're right, CalSherry - when you go to a nursery, you have to go armed and dangerous (with knowledge) anymore.

I've been on the forums for a few years now, and when I first started, I had only seen the black swallowtail cats on my Rue. That was the only butterfly that I was interested in at the time because I thought any other caterpillar was to be disposed of for eating my plants (little did I know I had a few host plants that I was not aware of, like cleome). I was a generous chemical dispenser for any problem that came along.

So, this forum has not only taught me to "go with the flow of Mother Nature" by gardening organically and without the use of chemicals, but how to raise caterpillars and see the FIRST wonder of the world, metamorphosis, but it has helped me find a place within that brings me peace and joy. When expanding my garden, encouraging wildlife, providing a sanctuary, raising butterflies, identifying butterflies, and chatting with the people here, I forget, TOTALLY, and can transcend other cares or worries I might have.

I don't know what I would do without this forum and my friends here. They're more than just "forum folks", but friends to me.

Susan
mcronin
16 years ago
I wish we could keep this thread near the top of page 1 so everyone who visits this Forum could learn how much many of us appreciate all this Forum brings to us. Without any formal organizing effort, WE HAVE CREATED A GREAT SUPPORT GROUP FOR THOSE OF US ADDICTED TO BUTTERFLIES AND BUTTERFLY GARDENING.

mike
Butterflyer1966
16 years ago
Hi y'all,
I also wanna put my 2 cents in... I love it here , been here since a few years, made great friends, met some in person already..
Even with moving to a diff. State(from Florida to Alabama) and lots of work at new place, I still love to come here, sometimes just as reader of all the postings..
OUR FORUM is an awesome place to exchange knowledge, be surrounded by friendly people , it just feels good..
Happy Butterfly-Gardening
Susanne(SUE)
I remember all the Members starting with me a few years ago and look how many new members added..
What happened to the pictures of all the Members here Larry G. created a while back?? Maybe it needs some update???
mcronin
16 years ago
Sue,

It was Stuart who created the album of Forum members. I think it was called the Butterfly Garden Members Album. I loved being able to associate faces with names and second your hope that someone revives it.

mike
biophilia
16 years ago
It's funny, but I think the reason I've been away from the forum so much is because I like it TOO much:-) It's easy to spend more time than I have, here. All time spent has been a real pleasure and a great education for me.

On the subject of germination, I think the Prairie Moon folks have such a different climate that things may take longer to germinate there, just as many perennial species will bloom in the second year up north, but in the first year down here on the Gulf Coast.
MissSherry
16 years ago
Carol, I don't know if you rest periodically during the day while you work, but I have to, so I do my resting in front of this computer on the Butterfly Forum! I'm pretty much up and down all day long.
I wish you'd post more - we miss you!
Gotta go get my second cup of coffee, I'll come back here, then I'll go work.
MissSherry
aggscott
16 years ago
I also have to pop in and say that if it was not for this place, I never would have taken that walk to look for Milkweed and found those beautiful monarchs! It was here that I found out the who- what- and where. I went for a walk and came back with an Obsession!

Thank you to all who share there knowledge with us, without this place I would never get my Host plants right!

I'm here so many times through out the day to see what anyone has found and to see pictures. I get so excited when I see that someone has found an egg in there yard or a special caterpillar. I know I'll be here for a while, I love it here..

Aggie
bobbi_socal
16 years ago
Ditto to all of the above! Thanks to this site and tdogmom, we've started The Grand Monarch Adventure!!! And I'm trying to branch out beyond the Monarchs!

This is the FRIENDLIEST and most supportive group on all of GardenWeb!!!

Bobbi_SoCal
emmayct
16 years ago
I love this group!

If someone ever condensed the knowledge and hands on experience that has been posted on this forum, they'd have a pretty spiffy guide to raising and observing butterflies. And there'd be some surprises for even the most educated etomologists.

Maryann
cecropia
16 years ago
aggscott,if you ever write a book about butterflies,you've already got a great title: "I went for a walk and came back with an obsession!" lol! I think most of us here can relate...

I've learned a lot from the people on this forum,and have much more to learn.Don't have time to read all the posts,plus it takes forever due to my slow dial-up connection :(
Someday I'm going to learn how to post a pic on here even though I am rather technologically-challenged.

Dan
susanlynne48
16 years ago
Dan, it took me FOREVER to figure out how to post and once that I did, I was scratching my head and thinking to myself, now why did I think that was so hard?

Love your book title!

Susan
cecropia
16 years ago
Susan,can you put it in simple terms that I will be able to understand? Do I need to upload pics to photobucket first?

Without this forum, I'd be lost...

Comments (19)

Michelle Reynolds

MissSherry

Related Discussions

Connie Kru

MissSherry

gwynne2006

mcronin

tdogmom

susanlynne48

mcronin

Butterflyer1966

mcronin

biophilia

MissSherry

aggscott

bobbi_socal

emmayct

cecropia

susanlynne48

cecropia

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US