Oncopeltus fasciatus on Tropical Milkweed
Depending on where you’re located, I would seriously reconsider cultivating that plant. For the sake of the monarchs.
Thanks. Yah I am in the southeast states, zone 9a, and it dies off every year. I’ve heard about the issues growing tropical milkweed relating to monarchs. I’ve tried cultivating/growing from seed other species of milkweed as well but they just cant handle the heat like the tropical does.
Totally fair, but still does contribute to OE and some other struggles that those poor beautiful insects really could do without.
I applaud your orientation towards native planting.
https://gardeningsolutions.ifas.ufl.edu/plants/ornamentals/native-milkweeds/
Straight from University of Florida, I trust this guide and know that incarnata and tuberosa are highly adaptable. Would be fun to include some of those other less common species too.
Thanks and I love the IFAS documentation. So much wonderful information there and I reference it quite a bit. I usually have the tropical milkweed mixed in with Sweetscent (Pluchea odorata) and that attracts a variety of native bees and butterflies as well. I’ll have to give those other milkweed species a try again…Thanks.
