Oooh, very excited for you, OP! Monarchs (and Eastern black Swallowtails -- the only two butterflies I've raised so far) will spin a webby patch as far as 1" out beyond point of attachment to make sure the chrysalis is firmly attached. I move mine to a separate enclosure (to eclose/hatch), so moisten the webbing to facilitate the loosening and gather up as much of the webbing as possible. Hope you're able to view the moment the butterfly emerges -- it's a sight to behold!

Thank you Javiwa for that information. I'm watching every day so I don't miss when the butterfly emerges. This is such a remarkable bit of nature everyone should be able to enjoy and I am so blessed to be able to do that.

I've found that if the chrysalises are kept outdoors in very warm weather (80s-90s), the butterflies will emerge more quickly (~ 7-8 days) than if kept indoors (12-14 days). About 8-10 hours prior to eclose, you'll notice the chrysalis will turn a darker color.

And immediately prior, it'll be black and orange (the actual color of the monarch).

Mine usually emerge first thing in the morning, so I always check my enclosure right at sunrise. (I have four Eastern black swallowtails drying their wings right now, as I type.)

Enjoy!

Would it be advisable now from indoors 74 degrees to put outside now in 80-90 degrees ? Quite a surge in temperature but it would be nice to emerge sooner.

Also I found about 20 BST on my fennel and thought to leave best alone. But yesterday there were less than half left so I brought at least 3 inside to raise. One is already doing the J thing. Didn't know if I should take whatever is left outside and try to save them or let nature take it's course.

Your pictures are great javiwa.

If you do put the chrysalis outdoors, definitely make sure it's in the shade. It should be fine -- I'm sure Mother Nature dishes out harsher conditions, and the butterflies are fine. If you're really concerned, maybe put it out for half day on Day 1, and increase the time. I think it'll be perfectly fine in a shady area.

Wow, that's a lot of mature (?) BSTs! With all the wasps, anoles and birds here, the BSTs only mature when protected (but I do leave them outside). My fennel plants are in pots and/or small enough where I can wrap the bush in tulle netting (drawstring closure at the bottom so lizards and wasps don't sneak in).

Your yard must just be a-flutter with activity, whatis123!

This is a lot of boasting, but this is my first butterfly garden from my WS seeds this year. The butterfly weed plants had numerous fritillaries on them, the other butterflys fed on the tall verbena, anise hyssop and Joe Pye weed. I'm waiting for the Salvia Blue sage to come into full bloom, it's just starting. Sooo blessed !

i was really fortunate to see one Pipevine, don't know where his host plant is. But he does nectar on the tall Phlox. Thanks

Well, you have plenty to boast about, so, boast away! :D You have a lot more variety blooming in your yard then I do, that's for sure. The monarchs are starting to appear again, and I'm finding lots of eggs on my milkweed leaves.

What are WS seeds?

Winter Sown seeds are the ones you put outside in a container with a potting mix in winter to stratify. I use a gallon milk carton. Keep it moist if it tends to dry out and wait till spring to germinate. If you are on Face Book go to Winter Sowers site. So much information there or there might be winter sowing here on Houzz.

Gotcha -- thanks for clarifying. I cold stratified my current batch of swamp milkweed last January/February using the moist paper towel & refrigerator method, and that seemed to work. I'm keeping them very well watered, but in this heat, they just aren't inclined to blossom (yet!). I put three into a pot so I could control how much sun and water they received, and I placed two seedlings into the ground. Two of the potted ones are almost 3' tall; the third, only 15". The two in the ground might be 12", if that (I don't think they appreciate the full, afternoon sun, but at least they're not dead!).