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Butterfly Garden

How often do I water tropical milkweed (Asclepias curassavica)

16 years ago

I borrowed a tropical milkweed (Asclepias curassavica) from a friend and I'm unsure what the watering requirements are. I was told only to "not overwater" it. It is a potted plant being kept inside.

The pot is in a big tub. Do I keep the soil moist, and do I water the pot directly, or put water in the tub below it and let it soak up the water? I read on MonarchWatch that when you grow seedlings you shouldn't water the pot directly, but I'm not sure if that applies to a mature plant as well.

The soil is lightly moist now, but the plant doesn't look so good. Since it's somewhat moist, I'm afraid to add more water at this point.

Thanks for any advice.

Tara

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Comments (5)

nancy86
16 years ago
Is it getting direct sunlight?

If you can see that the soil is moist, I wouldn't give it any more water for now.
tpolony
Original Author
16 years ago
It's in the window, but it's not the sunniest place in the world. However, it's the sunniest place in the house that I have. It's only been 5 days since I got it, but it doesn't look as good as when I got it. Would shining a light on it make a difference?
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Wow, that is just great for you and Amber to have this as a project! It may be that she can encourage her school to plant a butterfly garden, as many schools are doing around the country now. Tdogmom's school is a certified Monarch Waystation, for one example. It will be so much fun, and you get so attached to the little buggers cause they're so cute. Never thought I would say that about a caterpillar. But, my granddaughter, McKenna, and I both really enjoy raising the caterpillars together. She's really good at spotting the tiny ones now. And, she helps me gather milkweed foliage and clean it for the cats to eat. I always make sure she washes her hands as often as possible before and after collecting, because milkweed is poisonous, so be sure to point that out to Amber, too. You may not need to grow much since you have 10 acres with potential milkweed on it! Hee Hee! Linda, I will report my Monarch sighting at Journey North. Susan
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In our community gardens, a wide variety of milkweeds are offered to the Monarchs. Every year they are covered with cats during different times of the year. It's very common to find a chrysalis hanging from a garden border 2x6 or from horizontal vine supports or any number of different plant stems. It is extremely rare to find any of them on the host plants though, as the little cats seem to want to wander off to do their magic. I'm sure there are predations, but I've photographed any of the beautiful little encasinga and even had the privilege of watching the last instar unzip into the bright green chrysalis. Up until that point I wasn't sure exactly how it happened and it was amazing and surprisingly quick! It takes me a bit of searching to find them at this point because they are so well camouflaged.
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I take cuttings all season long to keep them going. Easier than finding the seeds. They root easily. I grow them until a good size and out they go. I take cuttings from the cuttings.Before my cuttings get planted, I take cuttings from the growing tips. They root easily. I always have at least 20 plants growing. If you join one of the many Monarch Societies in Florida, you can get free seeds from the members.There are mixed opinions about the variety. Most of the Societies ask that people tag their butterflies and swab them for OE. I do the best I can. My yard is full of Monarchs. We do tag them and know most do not travel very far from our home. More and more people are trying to help them. Other butterflies need help as well. I grow parsley and fennel for the Swallowtails. I am not young either. But I would like these beautiful creatures to be around for my grandchildren, great grandchildren and for evey child to see. Jane
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tdogmom
16 years ago
A. curassavica thrives in direct, full sun. I have some in pots and it has done well but all are in full sun. I water mine daily and water from the top, directly on the plant. Be sure to allow the leaves to dry out and don't water in the evenings.
linda_centralokzn6
16 years ago
Tara, I bring in potted Trop. mw to holdover in the garage in the fall. It is very common for them to sulk, for their leaves to start turning yellow, and drop most of its leaves. Bringing the plant indoors, I would assume that it may do the same. As it starts readjusting to the indoors and bright light, it may start growing more leaves again.

I am curious as to it being a "borrowed" plant. Are you wintering it over for her, and plan to return it in the spring? Or, are you raising Monarch cats on it?

I don't have the room, so have never attempted to bring Trop. mw into the house. Good luck, and keep us posted.
tpolony
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks for all of the replies. In response to Linda, I had rescued a bunch of late-season caterpillars, and realized I didn't have enough milkweed, so someone I knew who kept her plant outside let me borrow it to feed them. Of course, the plant is not going to be enough since so many leaves dropped off, but she has another one, so I'm not worried.

She also thinks it was the shock of bringing it indoors, as it has been pretty cold outside. I wonder if there is a way to reduce the shock so that if I get her second plant it won't do the same. But even if it does, I think I should have enough leaves.

Tara

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?what to do with this little guy?

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