Quote:
Originally Posted by kittygilchrist
I am going to start Master Gardener classes 2/12 and will ask UF's smart ones what is going on with monarchs. I had several visit my milkweeds last year but no hatches...
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Monarchs are very hard to raise in Florida. There are several diseases that they can get. I know if one butterfly breeder who won't raise them as it is not worth the effort. If any spraying was done nearby that affects them. Also you may have see the wasps patrolling the milkweed and wasps take the baby caterpillars back to their young. The anoles eat them or the eggs and it goes on from there. Best thing is to raise them and protect the monarchs from predators but still problems with disease. Hard to trust any milkweed bought in stores as spray free
After frost I plan on cutting the milkweed down to ground. That way growth refreshes and plant grows fuller