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The problem is destruction of native plants and habitat. Monarch butterflies only use milkweeds, such as swamp milkweed and common milkweed. It’s my understandi

by bmitc 4y ago

The problem is destruction of native plants and habitat. Monarch butterflies only use milkweeds, such as swamp milkweed and common milkweed. It’s my understanding that they like those two the most but maybe which milkweed they prefer is region dependent. If one wants to help the monarchs, and several other pollinator species, then plant swamp and common milkweed. They grow very easily and actually have pleasant blooms. It’s almost as of the problem couldn’t be simpler to solve. Just plant these and watch how much activity they generate almost immediately. I did it and have been seeing monarch butterflies lately. Not a lot, but some.

atwood22 4y ago
Most milkweed is poisonous to humans, dogs, and livestock. Not saying don't plant it, but just be aware if you have small kids around.
- bmitc 4y ago
  The vast majority of plants are toxic to humans, dogs, and cats. The non-native daffodils that everyone and their dog plants are extremely toxic to dogs and cats and also humans. Same goes for many plant species, especially those that are commonly planted. The, again non-native, yew bushes that are planted everywhere are also extremely toxic. It isn’t an excuse but people will hide behind it (not saying you do). If we wanted to eliminate all toxic plants, we’d literally have nothing and certainly no agriculture.
- colechristensen 4y ago
  It tastes very bitter and you have to eat quite a lot of it for it to be dangerous. It’s a risk but mostly for sheep and the like. Properly prepared, people do eat it intentionally.
- TedDoesntTalk 4y ago
  I grew up surrounded by milkweed. Yet somehow I survived and never once thought “I’m going to eat this and see how it tastes.” I have children now. I’ve never seen them taste arbitrary, random plants.
grapeskin 4y ago
Destruction of the food source is one of major causes of the population drop, as mentioned in the linked article. It also mentions storms being able to wipe out millions. Even if there’s 100x as much milkweed next year as there is this year, it terrifies me that a forest fire or something could easily wipe out such a small population today and that’s the end of the line.
- bmitc 4y ago
  But the solution is again: more native plants. Certainly wildfires will destroy any initiative there though. We have got to have a movement of restoring native plant life.
hedora 4y ago
Some of this advice requires clarification. There's only one commercially available breed of milkweed available around here. (Ask for "native" and "for monarchs" at the nursery) Also, if you plant too close to the coast (5 or 10 miles; can't remember) it discourages migration, and does more harm than good. If you are near the coast, plant pollinator gardens (native wildflowers) instead. Your local nursery can give more accurate and more specific advice.
- everybodyknows 4y ago
  > Also, if you plant too close to the coast (5 or 10 miles; can't remember) it discourages migration, and does more harm than good. Source? City Hall in my oceanfront town didn't get that memo. Last year they actually handed out free milkweed to residents for transplantation.

by bmitc 4y ago

atwood22 4y ago

Most milkweed is poisonous to humans, dogs, and livestock. Not saying don't plant it, but just be aware if you have small kids around.

bmitc 4y ago
The vast majority of plants are toxic to humans, dogs, and cats. The non-native daffodils that everyone and their dog plants are extremely toxic to dogs and cats and also humans. Same goes for many plant species, especially those that are commonly planted. The, again non-native, yew bushes that are planted everywhere are also extremely toxic. It isn’t an excuse but people will hide behind it (not saying you do). If we wanted to eliminate all toxic plants, we’d literally have nothing and certainly no agriculture.
colechristensen 4y ago
It tastes very bitter and you have to eat quite a lot of it for it to be dangerous. It’s a risk but mostly for sheep and the like. Properly prepared, people do eat it intentionally.
TedDoesntTalk 4y ago
I grew up surrounded by milkweed. Yet somehow I survived and never once thought “I’m going to eat this and see how it tastes.” I have children now. I’ve never seen them taste arbitrary, random plants.

grapeskin 4y ago

Destruction of the food source is one of major causes of the population drop, as mentioned in the linked article. It also mentions storms being able to wipe out millions. Even if there’s 100x as much milkweed next year as there is this year, it terrifies me that a forest fire or something could easily wipe out such a small population today and that’s the end of the line.

bmitc 4y ago
But the solution is again: more native plants. Certainly wildfires will destroy any initiative there though. We have got to have a movement of restoring native plant life.

hedora 4y ago

Some of this advice requires clarification. There's only one commercially available breed of milkweed available around here. (Ask for "native" and "for monarchs" at the nursery) Also, if you plant too close to the coast (5 or 10 miles; can't remember) it discourages migration, and does more harm than good. If you are near the coast, plant pollinator gardens (native wildflowers) instead. Your local nursery can give more accurate and more specific advice.

everybodyknows 4y ago
> Also, if you plant too close to the coast (5 or 10 miles; can't remember) it discourages migration, and does more harm than good. Source? City Hall in my oceanfront town didn't get that memo. Last year they actually handed out free milkweed to residents for transplantation.