Please tell us a bit more, what type of mw and what is your growing zone? Is this sitting outside or indoors? What type of growing medium are you using?

If this is tropical mw, I've found it is touchy about watering when potted. The lower leaves will yellow and drop off when watered too frequently but I've not noticed the spots on the leaves as displayed in your example.

Mary

I'm don't know what type of MW it is. It's commonly sold in my area, Palm Beach FL zone 10.

Here's a pic of one like it and how it basically looked like a few weeks ago:

They are in a container in potting soil outside along the fence line. It gets shade in the 1st half of day and full sun 2nd half. I may have over-watered it (almost daily) though the container has good drainage.

The newer leaves don't appear to be as affected. Not sure if my Peroxide wash had anything to do with it.

It currently has at least 8 caterpillars feeding on it and has been nearly devoured at this point.

So what happens to the plant once the caterpillars have finished it off? Will it recover? Do I need to get more MW plants?

I have a lot of Pentas, Lantanas, Firebush and Firecracker located in the yard as well.

Thx

Thanks for the tips Mary. Still not sure what the ailment is but at the rate it's getting scarfed down at, it's less of an issue now. I just counted at least 16 caterpillars on it.

I can't say for sure what the problem is, but that first picture of the leaf looks like many plants do when they get too much water. Maybe you watered it too much, although that's hard to do in a clay pot, very easy in a plastic pot.

Sherry

Whew, the little scamps can really put away the milkweed once they get to their last instars. I don't think your plant in the photo will be enough to take that many to maturity. You might want to make a fast backup plan! :-) I forgot to mention you can usually locate the giant milkweed - Calotropis Gigantea at some of your local nurseries. A big nursery south of my daughter stocks it. She lives in Margate. I think I read on line it was about $8 for a nice sized potted plant (and they grow fast). Of course, the Tropical is most likely available everywhere. Just be sure where ever you buy milkweed, they haven't sprayed the milkweed. I'd think most nurseries would know now that many people purchase the milkweed for the butterflies and not spray but it's good to ask.

Best of luck with your little cats and thanks again for growing milkweed for them.

Mary

Mine is in a plastic pot though it has holes drilled in the bottom.