Friday, June 2, 2017

RANDY JOHNSON ORGANICS

Native milkweed...... a few things to consider.

The article in yesterday's Dallas Morning News has created a lot of buzz about native milkweed and the need to install those species instead of the Mexican variety. The information is valid but the heightened frenzy to locate and install native species of milkweed immediately is overblown and here's why.....

Remember this first, there are always exceptions in Nature, nothing is standard but in-general, here are how things work:   The use of milkweed by Monarch butterflies is largely a spring/early summer event. The suitability of the plant to support egg laying is restricted to the early part of this plants life cycle, after they have flowered and cast seed the plants generally wither and go dormant in our summer heat;  this usually occurs around mid-June to early July depending on our weather.  By that time of year the vast majority of Monarch butterflies have continued their migration north, you do see some Monarch's locally and will often see them off and on throughout the summer but these represent a very small number of butterflies. When the southern migration begins milkweed is mostly not available (the plants are underground, dormant) or are in a condition not suitable for oviposition (old and tough). We do see a few individual plants that push new growth after we get cool nights and fall rains but the number of plants that do this is extremely small. Monarch butterflies that encounter native milkweed with new growth in the fall will probably lay eggs on those plants but the numbers are so small that it has no real effect on butterfly populations, that activity does not affect the reproductive dynamic of this species. So, what about getting native milkweed and installing it at this time of year.....

I wouldn't do it right now.  I'd wait until fall to purchase and install native milkweed because the need to have it available for Monarch butterflies has largely passed for this year. It's a full-sun species and planting as we are about to get hot is not the best strategy around here, best to wait until fall. Fall plantings are less stressed and will quickly go to sleep until spring and that is when Monarch's need them. Installed in the fall, the plants will grow roots all winter, establishing them prior to next seasons stresses. The plants will come out of dormancy next spring and will be available for female butterflies carrying eggs...... make sense? You need Asclepias in your landscape, it serves many more species than Monarch butterflies but the impetus to find, purchase and install it at this time is unfounded. Relax. Don't stress over this issue, my suggestion is to wait.... but if you can't or do not want to wait I will have milkweed available sometime in June, check with me at organicrandy@gmail.com. I hope this info helps, take care.....

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