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Milkweed

MagBMagB Posts: 6
in Plants

Hi there,

it has been a long time since I last saw a monarch butterfly so having done a bit of research it appears that milkweed is the plant to grow.

After trying to locate some seeds to sow my search has turned up nothing. Amazon used to sell them but no longer, it appears.

Does anyone know of a reason for this? I believe it is native to the USA...I may be wrong. Has it been banned in this country? I can get seeds from abroad but seemingly not in this country unless I haven't researched enough.

Thanks for your help :)

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Posts

  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,295

    look at Asclepias, common names are a minefield. Don't know which one the Monarch eats. Chiltern seeds used to do several species

    Are there Monarchs on the loose in your area? whatever you grow they need to be out there to find it



    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • Alan Clark2 in LiverpoolAlan Clark2 in Liverpool Posts: 2,150

    Asclepias seeds and plants are available online from British sites, and I have seen them in garden centres. However, Monarchs are extremely rare in the UK, only getting here by accident, and you would be incredibly lucky to get them on your plants, although eggs/larvae can be bought from British dealers if you want to raise them yourself. They will use any species.

    Last edited: 07 July 2017 23:45:03

  • MagBMagB Posts: 6

    Thank you for your replies. I used to see the odd one on our buddleja (sorry can't spell it) but not for years so yes they are a rare sight. I will look for Asclepias then and hope to find some. Maybe I will get lucky,if not, I,m sure other butterflies will like it :)

  • ZenjeffZenjeff Posts: 647

    Both Incarnata and Tuberosa available from https://www.plant-world-seeds.com

    imageimage

  • ZenjeffZenjeff Posts: 647

    Tuberosa is the top oneimage

  • MagBMagB Posts: 6

    Thank you Zenjeff. I just ordered the orange one from plant world seeds. Only 8 in a packet so let's hope a least one seed germinates. Apparently there is a dormant period for the seeds so I may plant half now and half in the spring. Fingers X.  :)

  • ZenjeffZenjeff Posts: 647

    Hi MagB 

    I bought both this years f rom them  and germinated no bother ,doing well now planted in the garden

    have dealt with PWS for years

  • MagBMagB Posts: 6

    Great Zenjeff. It gives me hope!! It would be nice to know what butterflies you get on them. Did you use anything to make the potting mix more acid? Would that be coffee grounds? Eracacious mix? As you can see I am a new garderer. Didn't have time for it before now hence my naivity.?

  • ZenjeffZenjeff Posts: 647

    http://www.ourhabitatgarden.org/creatures/milkweed-growing.html

    Hi MagB 

    This site gives you all the info on growing milkweeds I used std multi purpose compost

  • belli061.314belli061.314 Posts: 3
    I am pretty sure that you can still get milkweed on amazon.
    I'm getting purple milkweed off amazon.
    Does anyone know if there is a website where you can get monarch caterpillars?
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