I've been frantically uncovering since last night, our temps are about the same as yours, supposed to go much lower by next Thur but the 10-day forecast can't be totally relied upon. Our last frost was further back than that, but I didn't want to uncover this soon but little choice even if they only get morning sun. Things can fry fast with the east sun, noticed that with my rose cuttings, seedlings might take a little more but don't want to chance it. One rooted and survived against the odds, but if I hadn't noticed that it started frying fast in the spring or it might not have made it, then got too cold and had to cover it again for a couple nights and take off in the daytime. That cutting I left in situ, is very large, and should bloom near the end of May. The last and only time I ws'ed anything, didn't have some of them in so much sun although I did move some containers back into less than a half day of sun for now, and hope the others are vented well enough, not the extreme temps until noon but will take it day by day. I just put the lids back down on my 6 flats for the night, will lift them in the morning. They seem to sprout better for me covered but a couple were starting to get that white furry mold or whatever it is.

Thanks, everyone! BG, So far these are the hardest to raise for me,when they're tiny anyway. I lost quite a few. They'd just crawl away from the rue I had for them and die. Very disappointing. Maybe I expected too much. I thought out of allof thse, I'd end up with somehing like 90 or 100, but I'm lucky if I'll have 70 when all is said and done. I know, that still probably sounds like a lot though. I guess I had too high of hopes. I also love V. bonariensis. It's so pretty and the butterflies just love it! I see lots of different kinds n it. Nope, I never had GSTs in my yard before. I haven't seen them around for about a week or so, but I'm happy that they were here for awhile. Newbie in NJ, I might just get some of that fine bridal netting sometime. I don't need it now anymore but it would be a good idea for next year. I had some fiberglass screen left over from when I made my butterfly cage last year, so I cut that up into pieces to put over the top of my containers. That's a good idea to use the netting rounds. I've had my cats here in the kitchen too! :) It's just more convenient for me to work with them that way. I can sit at the table at night and feed them. I'm really not sure if it's best to keep them in or outside. Well, I'm gradually moving them all into individual containers and since I won't have room here to put all those in the kitchen I'll be moving them out on our back porch. I have so many Monarchs out there right now. It sounds like you are a very good caterpillar caretaker. I know what you mean, and I try to do the best I can too. I'll post adult pics of the GSTs when some eclose,which Im not sure if that will be this year or not until next spring. Sherry, Those are really nice pics! Oh my, I think those are really good and I don't know why you said you're determined to get good ones...you have already! :) Virginia, We were all newbies at one time, and you've come to a really good place to learn a lot about butterflies. I only have been at it a few years, so you're not much newer than I am really. :) I started out with birding and now am also into butterflies and have also gotten some of my birding friends into it and they really enjoy it too. I think it is a fascinating "hobby". I know there's got to be a better word than "hobby" though. Crocheting is a hobby, but something like this is much more than that when you're dealing with nature, I think. If you have rue or any of the other GST host plants, keep looking on them and you might find some eggs this year yet! Linda, Hey, whatcha been up to? Either I don'tget on here as much as I'd like or you don't. ;-) Yes, I hve been waiting awhile to get the GSTs but I guess not as long as some others. I'm not complaining and am really happy that I got them here. My rue thanks you for the compliment on their appearance. :) I have 14 big plants and about 20 more that DH just planted out for me a week ago. I really got behind this year because of my hands (Carpal Tunnel Syndrome) and I have hung up my trowel for a long time. I might have to have an operation. :/ Anyhoo, I love to garden for the butterflies and now DH got pulled into it too. He was so sweet to volunteer to finish up my planting for me. Yep, I will keep you posted on their progress. The ones that made it are growing nicely and I'll post a pic sometime this week. Cathy

those are some really neat shrubs! They are just barely starting to become popular here. There's a house down the street that has an enourmous clump of the yellow flowered variety. Two years ago, you could find one every once in a while in a nursery here and there. Now, the big box stores carry them by the hundreds and they're starting to be used a lot. I had two, but because of space issues gave the second one away. Mine is still in bud though.

Dorothy it is the same. Mine looked just like it when it was baby spinach lol I rarely look at the leaves though. Because the blooms are just gorgeous how it looks hanging over the top. It grows SO FAST it is not funny. Got to nib it back a lot. Mine gets LOTS of water...of COURSE>..it is ME we are talking about hahahahaha and is in the ground. thanks Susan and Joyce. Joyce does that sound like I found a taker for a plant I can share with you when I did em up? that is if the cats leave me some. I swear some are so bare and show no re growth what so ever :-( yet. Lucy