I've got a patch of wild A. syriaca growing - of all places - in the middle of a woodland garden. It grows quite well, although it doesn't flower because there isn't enough sun. I tried to transplant all of it last fall to another spot. Well, only a couple small plants appeared in the new spot, and the old spot still had plenty of plants. So much for transplanting "all" the plants. LOL Perennial milkweeds can be transplanted but will take time to re-establish, plus they will also regenerate itself from old pieces of roots left behind. I've tried starting A. syriaca from seed, with limited success. The wild patches that planted themselves have done much better. Whether or not you still have Monarch larval activity depends on where you live. Very possible there are still caterpillars eating the leaves. You should be able to find them without too much difficulty if you take a look. I raise Monarchs and just found an egg on the common Milkweed 2 days ago! Very late for egg-laying at this location.

Yes Jim I think you have a point. I think if I could save at least 4 fronds it would put the palm in a much better situation. I love the look of Washys and I'm very tempted to put one in the ground just so I can see the amazing growth rate that I have only seen a portion of from potted specimens. There used to be a member to this board "Blondeboy47" up in Toronto who had a pretty nice sized washy, looked to be about the size of the one pictured above, probably 7 or so feet, maybe more. I haven't seen him on in a while though, would love to know how his palm is doing, if it's still going.

"COULD WE LOSE THE MONARCH MIGRATION IN OUR LIFETIME? YES Monarchs need your help NOW! This year AGAIN marks the lowest number of over wintering Monarchs in the Mexican mountains in the last 20 years...and we have only known about their over wintering sites for a little more than 20 years!. There are 97% fewer than at their recorded height and 50% less than there were last year. This is a back to back 50% decline in their overwintering numbers. Researchers are worried we may lose a large part of their migration this year if immediate action is not taken and severely threaten all Monarchs if the pattern continues. This is a crisis situation! In 1991, over 75% of the wintering Monarchs from North America froze to death in Mexico as a result of three days of rain and sub-freezing conditions. Their numbers showed some recovery but now there is a nationwide shortage of milkweed. Freak weather patterns destroy habitat and kill millions of helpless Monarchs. But these natural events are not the only challenges that face the Monarch. Widespread pesticide application and genetically modified crops cover important parts of the Monarch's migratory path and serve as killing fields for any Monarchs that pass through these millions of acres of toxins and biological agents that kill them and their young. They are unintended casualties in a war to protect crops. Are our Monarchs worth our efforts to protect? Do we even know the total effects on our environment from the use of these agents? Monarchs and Milkweed are obvious signs that we need to take action to protect our environment. They show us the fragility and interconnectedness of our world and that the actions of some can have impacts on all of us. We are all part of the problem through the global effort to harness and control Nature in the search for profit. We must research the origins of all our wants and needs to ensure that the products and organizations we support are a true benefit and not a source of misery to the resources used to create them. Our choice to know the source of our purchases gives us the real power to decide what types of people we support and together control over the manner of production used. Please promote the opening of information so that we can make informed choices and change the world with every one. The Monarch habitat must be protected now to ensure their survival, before we see the day when this miracle of nature is only a memory. The Monarchs need your help NOW. Please plant seeds and help to ensure their survival. A Milkweed in every yard! You have the power to instantly change the world ! Plant a seed today and change your backyard." Very good cause. I will be ordering seeds for my region. Thanks for posting! A link that might be useful: www.livemonarch.com/free-milkweed-seeds.htm

OK, here's the update. I took the dog out for an hour this morning. When I left, the caterpillar was hanging upside down in a "J" shape. When I returned he had gone into the pupa stage; it happened in one hour! I was astonished. It's a beautiful nearly iridescent green. Research tells me this phase takes 10 days. I took the paper off the top of the vase (which was there before to keep it from crawling out) and set the vase outside in the shade which seems the most natural environment for it.