Thanks for the info. The reason I moved mine to the ground was the fact that it is supposed to be taprooted, and usually taprooted plants don't do too well in a pot. Even in a 1 gallon pot, it was showing signs of disliking the restriction (yellow bottom leaves eventually dropping off rapidly). Once I moved it, it lost one more leaf, since then, has not lost any. It is also throwing up basal growth as well as growth from the leaf axils. I do have sliding doors on the south side of my house plus a large Eastern exposure window, so that the room is very bright and sunny during winter. I think it might do okay if I put it in a plastic tub, about 20 gallon. I buy them at Lowe's for $6.00 and drill holes in them. That's how I grow my indet. tomatoes. I can commandeer or purchase another for the Calotropis. I would like to find seeds for C. procera, which is a smaller plant. I've been looking on the net, but haven't found any yet. C. gigantea is hard enough to find as it is. In their native habitat C. gigantea can get 30' tall, I've read. The foliage on mine has a lot of holes in it now, from the Monarchs hatching on it. I have been moving them into containers with other milkweeds, but have used about 3 leaves to feed them because they stand up so well. Judicious pruning so that the plant still looks good. I have A. physocarpa, A. incarnata, A. curassavica, and the Cynanchum laeve. I also have small plants of A. speciosa, A. purpurescens, A. viridis, and A. tuberosa coming along but too small to feed to Monarchs. Monarchs here do not usually use tuberosa. Thanks for your info! Susan

I have "netted" the plant but used a relatively small grid bird netting (what I had in the barn); sounds as if I need something smaller/finer, more like a mosquito net, to keep out spiders and wasps? What do people use for netting? As of today, all 3 caterpillars are still looking fine, though the two large ones seem to be more or less stationary (not moving around, not eating any more). This is a common milkweed plant. (I waded into my meadow the other day after discovering these three on the patio plant, and discovered almost every milkweed stalk out there had several caterpillars, which I assume is a good thing, especially considering there are certainly predators galore circling the meadow daily. The potted one on the patio is currently under a porch overhang (so it wouldn't get drenched in our recent downpours), and I think the only birds in the vicinity are the scores of hummingbirds we have this year. One question: do I assume since it's August that these are the 3rd generation, not the 4th (migratory) one? I wondered if the monarch cycle adjusts with the overall plant cycle -- everything in terms of plant life is at least a month ahead of schedule around here, maybe more. Do the monarchs adjust their breeding schedule when the climate shifts like this? Just curious... This is most interesting -- never done it before so there's a lot to learn!

Maryann is right. The wind was blowing 20 mph, with gusts up to 30 mph. That's why they were held up from migrating. The trees did break some of the strong winds, but not all of it. I talked DH into taking me out there, just to see if we'd see any. We had no idea until we got out there. We had to walk about 1/4 of a mile on a sandy, plowed wheatfield with sandburrs to get to the shelterbelt. We carried my camera bag, tags, and a net with us. Wish that I had a videocamera. I'll have to see about having one for next year. It is very difficult to get good pics when the wind is blowing the branches and flowers. And, Monarchs are very disguised when they are in the branches and flowers with their wings closed. But, I did get some pics that turned out halfway descent that I will post when I get a chance. I wished that I could have ran out this morning to try to get some pics, but I just couldn't get away. I'll be working tomorrow when the wind changes back to the north, and hopefully they'll be off again. I don't know how some people are lucky in getting pics with all of their wings open. Perhaps, when it is colder, they tend to bunch up, and open and close their wings to keep warm?

Thanks Craig for your North Tulsa report. I will forward your info on. Sorry, that I have not gotten with you sooner. I've been busy "chasing Monarchs!" You are right on the money, Dawn. Monarchs love to fly way up there with the raptors. Have you ever seen a Monarch circle around, and then go up until they are out of sight? They love to catch the thermals, as the hawks and other migrating birds do when the north wind is just perfect. They exert alot less energy, and more guaranteed survival by sailing with the wind, as opposed to continually flapping their wings against the wind. Alot of hawk watchers in Texas are also good Monarch reporters. Large roost update: At home, Monday evening, rain and strong southerly winds had Monarchs scurrying to the north side of the trees, looking for shelter. Tuesday morning, the wind changed to the north, and about 9 a.m., the Monarchs were coming down out of the trees, spreading their wings, trying to soak up what sun they could. By 12 noon, most of them were gone. If there would have been any way I could have gotten off Tues., I would have dearly LOVED to have gone out to the large roost, and gotten pics of them with their wings open trying to soak up the rays before they left! That's were folks get these great pics of Monarchs roosting with their wings open! Oh, well.... another time. I have heard that there is another wave of Monarchs noted in Bartlesville, that should be making their way down. This group seems to be late. I had about 6 Monarchs in my yard today. There is always a bit of sadness when a large group leaves, though I know that they "gotta go", and time is of essence. The first bunch of Monarchs are already approaching the Mexican border! Journey North has some great articles on how high can you see Monarchs? Here is a link that might be useful: How high do Monarchs travel?