Milkweed question, please answer ASAP

19 years ago

If milkweed was sprayed with chemicals, if I wash it really good will it be ok to give to the monarch cats? I live in the country and will not use milkweed along the road by corn fields, but my milkweed is getting bad early this year and I saw some beautiful milkweed in town in front of a shop. I asked the owner if she thought the city sprayed any chemicals and she did not think they did. Please answer asap as I will go cut it today.

My milkweed is getting yellow and the lower leaves have mold on them. Some of the newer leaves are curling up. I need some nice fresh milkweed and there are 4 plants in front of this store. It is in with small evergreen bushes. I can't imagine why the city would spray, but just in case they did.....I want to know if I wash it will it be OK?

I have been raising monarch's for 3 years. This is the first year I had those #@#* maggots come out of 3 of my cats. It is very disgusting and sad. I had sneaky monarchs this year and did not find the eggs, but I found small cats and brought them in. I have released 17 so far I have another 23 in different stages and 15 crysalsis.(sp)

What do the flies look like that kill my cats? (lay eggs in them) boy, that is heartbreaking to see. I was about ready to give up because I have so many cats, and eggs and I am having a hard time finding tender young milkweed for the tiny cats until I saw what can happen to them leaving them outside. I have over 100 plants in my front garden (DH is very unhappy about that) and countless plants out in my field. When I try and find milkweed, there is either an egg or tiny cat on it that is why I want to get the milkweed in the city.

Any info is appreciated.

Karen

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Comments (10)

mechelle_m
19 years ago
Karen,

Too many of the pesticides used are systemic which means the pesticide is put onto the ground and the plant absorbs it which is then sent throughout the plant, leaves and all. If you aren't sure about the chemicals used, I wouldn't use it for my babies....

Before you get in a pinch, use the stems cut for food to create more food for the cats by leaving the stem in water, new leaves will grow fairly quickly. I leave 5 or 6 stems in water all the time and you would be amazed at the amount of leaves and growth in a short time. I plant the especially stronger ones of these in a pot and if it survives, I have a new plant for the garden or to share with someone. I know this doesn't help you much right now, but maybe you can use it in the future.

Mechelle
kek19
19 years ago
If it's been sprayed, washing won't help, just my 2 cents. Where in Mi are you? (if you don't mind)
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tdogmom
19 years ago
The nasty things are Tachinid Flies. I don't have a picture on my laptop (which I'm using right now) of one but I found a link of one. Basically, they are flies that have these coarse, long, black hairs on their 'booties' (as I tell my Kindergartners). You can REALLY see those hairs, too, when you are out checking out flies in the garden!

Here is a link that might be useful: Cornell's Tachinid Fly link
bluebirdbabe
Original Author
19 years ago
Tdog, thank you for the info about the fly. Nasty bugger for sure. I will not get the "city" milkweed. I don't think it has been sprayed, but I am not willing to take that chance.

KeK, I live in Sand Lake, it is about 30 miles north of Grand Rapids. Where are you? maybe I can come and get some nice tender milkweed :)

Mechelle, I will try rooting some more MW. Thank you for all the advise!
Karen
bluebirdbabe
Original Author
19 years ago
Tdog, thank you for the info about the fly. Nasty bugger for sure. I will not get the "city" milkweed. I don't think it has been sprayed, but I am not willing to take that chance.

KeK, I live in Sand Lake, it is about 30 miles north of Grand Rapids. Where are you? maybe I can come and get some nice tender milkweed :)

Mechelle, I will try rooting some more MW. Thank you for all the advise!
Karen
kek19
19 years ago
Hey, I'm about 15-20mins west of you! Kent City. Unfortunantly my milkweed has been tainted. I live amongst all the Apple Orchards, and they just sprayed.
bluebirdbabe
Original Author
19 years ago
Kek, wow, you are only 15 minutes away. Maybe I can get you into bluebirding :) I started raising monarchs because my bluebirds didn't come back for 3 years. This year they are back and I pretty much have a full time job taking care of butterflies AND bb's. My blues are spoiled rotten. I feed them wax worms and mealworms. Right now I have 9 that come to the feeder and there are 4 babies that are in the woods that fledged 2 weeks ago. I am sure the parents will bring them by real soon.

Maybe we can meet in Cedar Springs sometime. I would love to meet a forum member.

Karen
kek19
19 years ago
Karen, that would be great! I don't think I have ever even seen an actual blue bird. We have all kinds of finches here, yellow and purple, and a pair of ruby throat hummers that visit frequently. They seem to really like my sunflowers, so much so that they're getting to the seeds before I can collect any for next year!

Karri
bluebirdbabe
Original Author
19 years ago
Karri, here is my e-mail address: cja828@casair.net

send me an e-mail, I would love to meet you and talk about the bb and monarch's.

Karen
docmom_gw
19 years ago
Hey! I'm in northern Grand Rapids! Don't get together without me! I'll e-mail you. I have tons of organic milkweed and butterfly weed I could share. My Monarchs just aren't very active.

Martha