Didn't see anything anywhere about Joe's surgery, but I hope he is doing well. Yay for swallowtails! I saw my first Giant Swallowtail of the year on the Mexican Sunflower today. So far these actually look like very sturdy plants, not ready to topple over ( I read all over the place that they need to be staked) Are you taking the eggs in or leave them?

Congrats, congrats, Rhonda! Goldrims are such beauties, and I bet they're easy to raise like pipevine swallowtails.

One of my Mexican sunflowers toppled over, Iris, but one has stayed upright, even in this unrelenting rain. I think the three that I planted together are going to be the sturdiest of all - they're growing much slower, not getting as tall as the others.

I haven't seen any giant swallowtails so far this year - last year I raised a large batch from eggs laid on my hops trees.

Sherry

Congrats, Rhonda. I'm sure you know that the Polydamas or Goldrims hang around the vines after they hatch--not all of them, of course, but many of them do. So, once you have them, the likelihood of seeing them on a regular basis is very good.

I have most of my Mexican Sunflowers staked. If they are near something that supports them then they may well do fine. One of the plants I had staked fell over about half-way up the plant. The plant was well over six feet and the flowers still are coming out of the stems that fell over.

I have lot of butterflies now, but yesterday I saw a female black swallowtail laying eggs on my parsley--not an every day occurrence. These butterflies do not stick around after they hatch, but if I can get more of the eggs to grow into butterflies I will be very happy. It seems like may different critters like black swallowtail eggs and caterpillars.

Hey all, sorry I'm so slow in responding. We have had a lot going on here and am just now taking a break to catch up.

Iris,

I had hoped to try to raise butterflies in enclosures once I moved down here, but I've been doing all the indoor and outdoor work while Joe is recuperating (which I'm happy to do) and will be looking for a job soon, so I'm leaving all the eggs out as I'm too busy to properly rear anything in an enclosure. My Mexican sunflower seedlings are now in the ground and doing well. I'm sure they will start growing like crazy with our rain and heat. Thanks!!

Sherry,

Thanks! BTW, I saw my first Giant swallowtail the day after this sighting :) She loved nectaring on the pink pentas lanceolatas and I saw her checking out my neighbor's fruit laden Meyer lime tree so maybe she laid some eggs. The neighbor is a snow bird so she said I could have all the lemons I want. So, I'm sure that she wouldn't mind the leaves being eaten by the caterpillars :)

Tom,

Thanks! I have seen the goldrim a few times since the initial sighting so I'm optimistic that they will be around for a while. I planted the Mexican sunflower seedlings along the house for easier staking. Thanks for turning me on to the pentas lanceolatas....they are really shooting up and are one of the favorites with all the butterflies :)

Rhonda