Taking Care of Milkweed when Raising Monarchs.

by Felecia
(Warren, OH)

I'm attempting to raise monarch butterflies. I picked milkweed leaves (7/8/2010), I tried the method of standing them up in a little water to keep the leave from drying out. It is now 7/13/2010 and the water has turned brown, is it okay. I also tried the method on putting the leaves in a plastic container with moist paper towels and it looks like mold or moss is growing on the paper towels. How long should I wait before I throw them out to start over OR is it to late in the season.


Karen says:

It is easier to pick a stem or branch of milkweed and stick it in water in a narrow necked vase. Make sure and re-cut the stem right before you put it in water and sometimes you have to cut it another time. Refresh the water every couple of days. Putting the stems on the paper towel is something I only do when I find an egg and are waiting for it to hatch (which usually doesn't take long. Then I find a branch or stem of milkweed an do as I mentioned above.
I hope this helps.