Need tips growing milkweed

[maxjohnson]

PXL_20230717_170842362.jpg

This is how big the plants are now, about 6inches tall, with 3months of growing season left. When can I transplant them in the soil? Will they make it through the winter at this young stage being transplanted? The soil is clay but not too compact and I can amend with compost. Also the only area I have left is a west facing wall of the house, which meets the late afternoon sun, the hydrangea does well there.

I'm thinking I should keep two in a container to be safe, and despite being toxic does any critter like groundhog try to eat it?

Any pruning necessary?

Lastly, how much concern I should be for the monarch caterpillars against birds, I know they are poisonous, but I do have bird feeder and there are lots of birds around here.

Thank you.

[Paulf]

I transplanted about a dozen milkweed plants last week that were grown from seed. They have grown very well in the ground already and look healthy enough to make it through the winter here in Nebraska. We have about three months left until first frost. Any pruning would probably not help and most likely hurt. Nothing will eat the plants or the caterpillars. The more milkweeds the better...good luck with yours.

[MissS]

You can easily transplant those now and they should be just fine, just remember to give them plenty of water. These look like Swamp Milkweed to me and like moisture. Birds are not a problem for the caterpillars but wasps and ants are.

I usually keep a few plants in the garden. I will harvest some of the eggs off of those to raise indoors on plants that I have growing in pots. Do not bring a caterpillar indoors, only the eggs, or you may be bringing in parasites that can kill all of your caterpillars.

You could amend your soil if it's really bad but they should be fine in just about any type of soil.

[maxjohnson]

I didn't expected them to grow this fast in one month. There are some yellow aphids which I had to rub off with my fingers.

Just saw a monarch butterfly come by for the first time and I think it laid an egg.

I took cuttings to try too root them. Also got a hold of some common milkweed seedlings. Very excited.

PXL_20230817_170429382.jpg

PXL_20230817_201524954.jpg

But I really want to make sure this is swamp milkweed, not tropical milkweed. Here is the leaf pattern which seems like it to me compared to internet images, but I guess I will know for sure when it flowers and the color of the seeds.

PXL_20230817_202722714.jpg

[MissS]

@maxjohnson That sure looks like Swamp Milkweed. You have the real deal.

[maxjohnson]

PXL_20230828_172457322.jpg

[maxjohnson]

I saw three and then birds or something pecked them and they died. Not sure what the cause was, but so upsetting. I might have to use garden netting next time.

Fortunately there's one left, I put some plastic fencing.

PXL_20230831_204355255.jpg