A Gardeners Forum Forums Gardening Reference Gardening in 2004 caterpillar Monarch butterfly milk weed plant question

Hello everyone I want to plant some Milkweed, I bougth a Kit from an organization to help the Monarch butterflies.

The Thing is I am very, very afraid of worms!!!... close to fobia, just makes me cry the posibility of seeing a caterpillar walking around, I made a spot in the back of the house for this plant.

I have 3 question
1.- How long they live as caterpillar?
2.- Do they walk away from the plant or keep eating there?
3.- Is this plant safe for pets?

I do have 2 dogs, one of them is a very active Labrador, he lives inside, but also he spent time outside playing, mostly he likes in the back where I want to plant the Milkweed.

I am about to change my mind... I was thinking on planting now the milkweed in the front, so I could control my dog access to the plant, for saving the plant from my dog and protect my dog from the plant...

But in the front is too close to the house if this caterpillar will be walking around, I will die inmediately!

I have a problem!!!

Any advice, and response to my questions? Thank you so much!! :rolleyes:

you city folks just really tickle me.I don't think you'd like gardening with me.I sift my copost by hand...still.I chase frogs down in yard and tell them they will just my pond as a new home.anyways.
You did the monarch donation thinggy and either did the butterfly seeds or the plant with the eggs larve inside to introduce to your yard.


http://www.monarchbutterfly.org/
browse around^^^^^

http://www.enature.com/fieldguide/s...rflys&curPageNum=4&recnum=WF0221

This is the one I grow are different ones.does it come with more info?.i got a pink one thats swamp milkweed they like it alot too.I still need some butterfly bush.

http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/resource/distr/lepid/bflyusa/bflyusa.htm

You will just This one.I joined in a butterfly swap over winter& they included a list of butterfly links for everyone in the group.you found 4 links and added those in trades& the person made up the list.This here was TOPDOG you'll want it bookmarked.It will also list butterly plants to have for which butterflys.plant your plant in full sun& get a feeder or a bowl and load some sand and keep it wet all the time and they will land and drink from it.My dogs chase the butterflys some.They are cute and they will land on you and sometimes they may devour a plant but just plant them some and you some in a spot they don't go alot.They like different herbs like dill& basil,oregano,love my zinnias, peas.
Hope you enjoy them.

this is the one was looking for Had my sheet in gardenbook bookmarking.
http://www.livemonarch.com/free-milkweed-seeds.htm

I sent them $5 about 2 years ago,they sent me bunch of seed.It is mixed colors.& if sow in spring will bloom in aug/septish& die back with frost.they send a grow sheet with it and i got 2 $5 off cupons for 2 other sites& is tax dectable& they have links on site!

I don't know if this is helpful - I used to be afraid and squeamish about a lot of things in nature. I hated seeing a dead bird on the curb - I couldn't pick one up from our own yard or lot.

My squeamishness started leaving me when I began to study birds and insects more.

And gardening - well, you're going to see a few worms, insects and the like.

I think you'll find that as you get into it, you'll get use to it.

Wear gloves always - that will help.

Yesterday I watched a big beetle the size of my big toe rolling around in the dirt - it was a fascinating creature - it had bulging eyes and a wee face that had a personality like my cat's.

There used to be a time I would have stepped on the thing.

I still don't like certain things - I don't care ot let squirrels get to close to me. They're cute to watch, but when they get close I sic my cat on 'em - they give me the willies.

Hey!! I know it seems crazy, but I need time to not be scared of them, I do wear gloves all he time, because when I see something I jump!!

I loved the links you guys left, thanks, I started reading about the butterflies when I decided designing them (crochet).

I used to collect them, but never have learned about them ultil now.

So I have made several designs in crochet, I really enjoy them, I have started planting my butterfly garden and is doing good, I already planted the milkweed. God help me please!

I will plant them in the front, so I have more control of them and my dog, he will chase any leaf and pick it up with his mouth!..thanks!!

A butterfly exchange sounds fun!!