I'm 73 ... my grandmother owned a greenhouse ... as a kid she took her granddaughters to a hillside to collect milkweed pods ... she used the pods for dry arrangements ... we'd laugh about everyone in town thinking it was snowing ... we had that much "fluff" floating around ... wonderful plant ... wonderful memories!

heres a nice memory I just remembered! My Mom made a dry arrangement for a flower show. She had a really nice branch stuck in a vase, and she glued some milkweed fluff on, just a few of the twigs. It was really minimalist and very nice. At the show, the arrangement was right under an air conditioner unit on the ceiling. It blew on the arrangement and the fluff danced around! She won the 1st prize and it might have been the top prize over all too, but she had arrangements in all the categories and won 1st in them all! It was quite the scandal cuz she was President of her club at the time. TY for bringing back that memory!

When I was a young kid my mom told me they used to gather milkweed pods. The fluff was used in life jackets for the war effort. That was when she was a little girl.

@anneboyd7811

3 жыл бұрын

It's true! Before synthetics were developed, life jackets would be stuffed with kapok, which is fluff from a tropical tree. It's very lightweight and buoyant. The war in the Pacific cut off the supplies of kapok to the US, so the voluntary effort by kids to collect milkweed pods as a substitute was crucial, collecting almost 2 million pounds of milkweed fluff in one year from 29 states!

Hi Rich, this is Claudia from México. I have just learnt a lot about monarchs because on our daily walks with the dogs during quarantine we discovered a plant with a caterpillar. Then we realised that they were Mexican Asclepias glauscecens and a monarch. We have found two more, but this is the city, and they were all by the road, so not really safe for them or our neighbours loan moaners. But I have been pacient and now we have dime seeds that following your instructions, I'll plant. Hopefully monarchs will have nice food on their way to the north (through their different generations) in our garden. Thank you! :)

During WWII, schoolkids across the Midwest harvested millions of pounds of pods for the dross, which was used for lifejacket stuffing for fighter pilot jackets. What an interesting contribution to the war effort, but too bad they didn't save the seed!

Thank you so much. I am attempting to raise Monarchs in Northwestern Minnesota by planting milkweed and growing wild flowers on a family homestead which has become a retirement passion. I have been getting newborn caterpillars from the University of Kansas through Monarch Watch for about 4 yrs and last year Monarchs began returning to my area for the first time. Your videos have been most helpful to we novices. Again thanks and keep up the great work.

@MrLundScience

5 жыл бұрын

They may be on the upswing. We'll keep watching the numbers. Great to have you (or, have already had you) aboard!

I started harvesting my pods for the first time, I have lots of milkweed in my yard in Ontario Canada. I plan of giving away a lot of seeds in the spring and hopefully we can save some butterflies and bees. Thanks for the video. I did watch a good video where the girl rolls the pods in her hand and it releases the seeds from the fluff.

Milkweed is not just for Monarchs but many species of bees as well. Makes some tasty honey!

@MrLundScience

6 жыл бұрын

All true. Planting milkweed has many benefits. And having some in the front yard can also show neighbors and those passing by that this is a plant worth showing off. The term "weed" really just means a plant growing where you don't want it. A rose bush in a corn field is a weed. Showing that milkweed can be a beautiful addition to any garden helps remove the misconception that it's something to be weeded out.

Very good videos. thank you for making them.

Thank you ❤️ BTW I love your taste in music and your sense of humor ☺️

Rich, you do a great job with your monarch videos! Just an aside: The white fluff is called floss. Keep doing what you're doing. The message is certainly helping the monarch population. Carolyn in Minnesota Coordinator of the Annual Duluth Monarch Festival

@MrLundScience

4 жыл бұрын

Aside taken! Thanks for the quick vocab. And thank YOU for helping to spread the message as well!

Thanks for all the great info. Just released my 29th Monarch yesterday and collected 14 eggs today. All because of your informative video!!

@MrLundScience

7 жыл бұрын

Hey, you're welcome! It's exciting when a new batch of eggs comes your way. I won't be seeing any until around June (hopefully), so I'm a bit jealous of those in other regions who get to be rearing them now. Good luck with them!

@CassieValenti

7 жыл бұрын

That's awesome! I'm just starting my butterfly garden. Congratulations! I can't wait until I have butterflies :)

You rock dude!!! Thank you for caring so much for the monarchs.

Thanks for the plethora of monarch videos. They really encourage me to plant the seed that I collected last fall. Thanks!

Thank you for making these informative videos! Planted swamp and common MW this Spring in my backyard. I’ve collected monarch eggs and found a few caterpillars after just a few weeks. I’m kind of obsessed with this now ☺️ Northeastern Pennsylvania

Mr. Lund, I think this compliment that I received on my "Monarchs and Milkweed" group is the BEST that I've seen about you and your videos and you can see how much they appreicate your makiung these videos and for the TOTAL attitude you portray and the motivation behind what you do! CONGRATS Mr. Lund! :-)

Here's the comment from my group: Judy Hubbes John R. Unell thank you for what you do for us. You definitely keep us informed about anything Monarchs. Mr. Lund is an amazing man. His reply to you spoke volumes. He completely turned any complements away from himself and passed them to others. Not many people do that. They bask in their glory. But that's not Mr. Lund. Your post and his reply made my day.

@MrLundScience

7 жыл бұрын

John, you're right, those are some very strong words indeed, and I take them to heart. At the same time, similar to what the comment itself describes, I don't really think I have glory to bask in. It's those who are on those front lines, taking this on that deserve it. These videos mean absolutely nothing if all people do is watch the videos and then that's it. It takes people like those in your group to then get up and actively start undertaking they may have little experience in. That's courage. That's people going into the unknown, and it takes guts (as failure may and will come with it) and they don't shy away from that. If the videos can be a small candle as they venture out there in the darkness, then more power to them, and I, again, am humbled that they are willing to take this chump's advice. As I've said many times before, I'm just a guy, trying to help some butterflies. :-)

@johnifly

7 жыл бұрын

Mr. Lund, as far as I'm concerned, you are VERY MUCH on the front lines as much as we are! You are VALUABLE when you post videos covering how to raise monarchs and all that is associated with it! It's no SMALL task for you to plan and make these videos! While you are covering the KZread aspect of reaching people, it's valuable as well to us on FB that are gleaning knowledge and in me being able to pass along the facts that you so diligently prepare and pass on to all of us on "Monarchs and Milkweed!" Thanks again for all you do and all you WILL do! ;-)

@MrLundScience

7 жыл бұрын

As I read this, I have a camera mounted and set up with one caterpillar right underneath it, about to molt. I'm hoping I can get some close shots! So yes, you're right on that front: These videos take some planning! He's really, really taking his time deciding when to start the molt. Camera shy!

Thank you, great input this is my third summer, growing milkweed, now I know how to save the seeds. Nothing like watching Monarch, butterflies flying around my home. From Long Island N.Y.

What’s so hard about planting milkweed. I live in South Dakota. I am collecting milkweed silk to experiment with spinning into yarn. When I found a few wild milkweed pods, I simply sprinkled seeds, after I collected the silk, in my flower bed in the fall and next spring I had milkweed plants. I haven’t planted much since as the plants are perennial. I did not find that shaking with coins worked very well. I prefer to pull the inside of the pods out intact, pinch the silk hard at the top, and gently push the seeds off with my thumbs. I place the silk part in a separate bag. No mess!

You should save the seed pod fluff and put it out for hummingbirds in a small cache near the feeders. Read that they can use it to help build their nests.

@franszymanek8695

9 ай бұрын

Excellent idea!!! Thank you.

Thank you so much, very good videos. My wife and I bought 18 acres in north central Iowa and other than our home, the rest of the property is timber, set aside plots, creeks and fruit trees. We have noticed a huge increase in plant, animal and insect populations in the past few years. We have a fair amount of milkweed on the property, but wanted to expand the area. Thank you for the tips and advice. Maybe we can give nature a little more leverage if we all contribute a little.

@MrLundScience

5 жыл бұрын

Cool to have you aboard! Thanks for thinking of the Monarchs with your property decisions!

Thanks for all the butterfly info

Thank you! This is so interesting! I am a science teacher in an elementary school in Quebec - Canada and we will plant milkweed next spring.

@MrLundScience

7 жыл бұрын

That's so awesome that you're getting them involved at that age! Merci beaucoup!

@yvespetit

5 жыл бұрын

Nathalie, voici une autre méthode pour séparer les graines des fibres. Nathalie, here is a video showing another method of seperating the seeds from the fibers. By the way, save these fibers. You can use these insulating fibers in cushions, clothing, pillows, etc.kzread.info/dash/bejne/fmdpqJqKfbvVdZM.html

Thanks for all your help. I have successfully raised my first Monarch and I’m hooked. Can’t wait to start growing milkweek weed on my property.

@MrLundScience

4 жыл бұрын

Welcome aboard! Careful...it's addictive!

Fantastic Monarch videos. Thank you. I now use washed out large plastic bottles Pretzels come in them, like two gallon in size, that I melt a ring of small holes all around the base about one inch up, about every half inch apart:for bottom inflow. Then I bore three sets of concentric rings of holes in the very lid, for upper air flow exhaust. Again less than half an inch part. Lots of small holes. I found the food-bottle plastic to melt at a rather low temperature, so I use a hobby soldering iron with a pointed end, to just melt these small holes in the bottle. It does mean one needs to be sure the caterpillars are fatter around then the hole;So they don't escape. Also I make sure I wash and dry these caterpillar incubator bottles well. I make sure no chemicals get near these incubators as we live in farm land and the farming pesticides are dangerous to pollinators. It toxifies both the milk weed and directly kills the insects and mycelium in the soil. I also learned, never allow these incubators to set in the sun. You'll kill the caterpillars. I keep them in the shade in the garage,,, again away from car exhaust and fumes of any kind. The planting of the milk weed is so very important as each caterpillar in the incubator eats in its time four to five large leaves. You are right one needs to constantly pick and insert fresh leaves. A dried out leaf does no good! Also the poo produced from many caterpillars can really mount up! So yes, one needs to clean the incubator during this time. I have had up to 12 fully developed chrysalis hanging from a lid at a time. I carefully and well anchor the populated lid in a healthy sturdy flower plant. Like you I have noticed the dried out butterfly will take to a human finger,,,easily. I handle with care and they then fly off on their own. Great feeling to see them fly away!

@MrLundScience

6 жыл бұрын

That's all so awesome, Ronald. Thank you for taking the time to care for these animals as well as you do!

Mr. Lund, one of my group members shared this with me just now as I passed along your comments to the group: I've copied your video series on raising monarchs plus the other extra ones you made related to monarch-raising and here is what she said: "----thank you for sharing his videos. Wouldn't of even heard of him if you hadn't . And they have been very helpful! " Her name is Marian. Very active member of my group on FB. Your videos are working and VERY helpful Mr. Lund! :-) ;-)

@MrLundScience

7 жыл бұрын

So cool. I appreciate it very much. You and your group should take a lot of credit. While I'm making videos, I guess I've got the KZread front handled (with help from others, especially Mona Miller), but you and your group are really help to be there for the FB users. You guys equally, if not more, are playing a huge role in promoting and educating in the FB world. I'm a huge fan of what you guys are doing there, even though I'm not actually there in person...er...in digital person. You know what I mean!

Ive tried several different ways to try to grow milkweed. I finally figured out how. Yes store them in the freezer

found a video by sunny savage on a place in Ogallala, NE that is growing milkweed for Monarchs too. Natural Fibers Corp. I think all the efforts being invested in this matter is wonderful. Thanks to all.....

Thank you. This was a big help.

Good, well constructed videos. Thanks for covering all of the aspects including the cultivation of milkweed. I just banded a bunch of pods in order to collect the seeds later this fall. I’m looking forward to the spring and planting.

@MrLundScience

5 жыл бұрын

Thanks. Very much appreciated from a guy who isn't a gardener trying to do his best with a somewhat gardening topic!

Excellent videos! I have watched all your Raising Monarchs, along with all Planting Milkweed videos. I will keep reviewing your videos to learn more about this. My Grandson led me down this garden growing (milkweed) and Lepidoptera path. Now I'm off to build cages before mid-June for him.

@MrLundScience

4 жыл бұрын

Very cool stuff! Thanks for helping these guys out!

Love your video's and have learned so much and am now saving the Monarch Butterflies as best as I can and doing better everyday with your help thank you

@MrLundScience

7 жыл бұрын

Welcome aboard! It's very rewarding in many ways. They need all the help they can get, and your efforts add to that, so *thank you*!

I was thinking that the seeds should be stored in the refrigerator (not the freezer) for the winter. Thank you, for the education.

@MrLundScience

4 жыл бұрын

No problem. Happy to have helped!

Excellent series! Bravo! Cheers from Georgia 🍑

@MrLundScience

4 жыл бұрын

Many thanks, and a Michigander wave back at ya!

best milkweed (asclépiade) vidéos I've seen so far : from A to Z = nice job done

@MrLundScience

5 жыл бұрын

Hey, thanks. Much appreciated!

Another comment Mr. Lund from another satisfied member of my group "Monarchs and Milkweed" on Fb. Gee, if I keep this up, you may have your own "Fan Club" here! LOL! Susan Fox Nice! I watched Mr. Lund's videos over and over when I first started raising Monarchs. Thanks for sharing his comments.

Hi Mr. Lund! I recommend storing seeds in the regular refrigerator. They really don't need to be stored in the freezer. I store my Common Milkweed seeds, once they 're dry, in a baggie with a dessicant packet in with them so there is no moisture left in the seeds and then at the end of February or beginning of March, I put them in a moist (not wet) paper towel and put them in the 'fridge for about six weeks, then bring them out and plant them in plastic cell seedling kits. I use a peat moss and perlite seedling mix (I think it's called Jiffy or something like that) and make sure the seedling growing medium is moistened with hot water so the peat abosorbs the water thoroughly, then let it cool down and fill up the plastic seed trays with the seedling grow mix, then plant the seeds no more than 1/4 inch, if that. Many times I justs put a light covering of seed growing medium over the seeds and I personally use a grow light and seedling heat mat and put a plastic dome covering over the flats and place them on the seedling heat mat under florescent light bulbs (full spectrum light waves) and in about three or four days the seeds will start to germinate. :-) Thanks again for making these videos!! They are helping MANY people!! :-)

@MrLundScience

7 жыл бұрын

That's all excellent info, and I myself not being a gardener, what people like you offer here in the comments section definitely helps fill in my knowledge gaps! Thank you for offering the quality information!

@johnifly

7 жыл бұрын

You're welcome Mr. Lund! And I might add your videos are PRICELESS and help out the people in my "Monarchs and Milkweed" group on FB. :-) They all LOVE your videos and reference them often! Thanks again for making them! ;-)

@johnifly

7 жыл бұрын

You're welcome Mr. Lund! And thanks for the quality videos that you put out that are also informative.

@MrLundScience

7 жыл бұрын

Pass on to your group then, that whatever thanks they bestow upon me comes back to them triple-fold for taking up the cause. They are awesome to do it, and humble me by letting me be a part of it. I appreciate every single one who is willing to help out this precious species.

@johnifly

7 жыл бұрын

I sure will Mr. Lund! Thanks again! ;-)

Going to save some seeds this fall. Thank you

@MrLundScience

5 жыл бұрын

You're welcome! And thank you for harvesting seeds to help more future milkweed exist!

Absolutely great your videos ! Thank you.

@MrLundScience

4 жыл бұрын

Happy to have helped! Thanks for finding use of them.

Hey Rich, Great series of videos. Thanks so much for your hard work, and helping the Monarchs. If you haven't been to Mexico in winter to see the efforts of your labors, by all means try to do so. Thanks again, Jerry & Linda, Pittsburgh

Love all your advice ~ especially since you are not an expert ~ just like the rest of us trying to help! I plant my MW seeds in organic soil in pots in the fall and leave them outside all winter. In the spring, I have lots to share with friends and family!!!!

@MrLundScience

8 жыл бұрын

What was once just considered a weed by most is now being gifted these days. Awesome!

Just closed on property in SE Michigan today. We went down to the property and I was thrilled to see lots of unopened pods. One stalk actually had 11 pods on it! I lost count on how many pods I put rubber bands on but there should be plenty of seeds for the spring. I'm pretty sure most of it is the bright orange flowered Butterfly Weed though. From one thing I saw online, Butterfly Weed isn't actually a favorite of the Monarchs so I guess I will have to wait & see. Thank you for doing these videos! They DO help the Monarchs because if I hadn't seen them, I wouldn't have known about the decline in the Monarch and planning a huge butterfly garden to help them.

@MrLundScience

6 жыл бұрын

Cool to have stumbled upon some milkweed already flourishing at the new place. Moving can be quite an adventure!

@bjski4557

3 жыл бұрын

pahalloweenfreak I have butterfly weed plants in my yard and the Monarchs love them.

Rich Lund, where are you? These are the best awesomeness vid's👍🦋

This is an EXCELLENT video...I wish I could share it with my class who is doing a two year project with milkweed....but I'm restricted because nightmare on elm street might scare them a bit.

@MrLundScience

6 жыл бұрын

Ha ha...yeah, I hear ya on that one. Still, you could certainly get a pod and model how to do this. Even if it's not ripe yet (and right now, they are not) you could use just one to take into the classroom and show them how to band it. Sorry about the shirt!

thank you here in on west cost of nz

When my milkweed pods form, I put an organza bag over the seedpods. this allows them to develop as they will and catches any seeds that might escape. it's also very handy for any other seeds you want to capture and save as well as being a very pretty addition to the garden. instead of the drying seed head, you get a second bloom with a bright colored organza bag on the stem. here's a link to the ones I buy amzn.to/2KfyZJ5

Great video series!

@MrLundScience

5 жыл бұрын

Hey, thanks. Hopefully it is useful in some way.

Thank you I love all your videos.

@MrLundScience

6 жыл бұрын

Well hey, thank you for watching them! (You said "all"...did you even mean this one? kzread.info/dash/bejne/aWqh2rSuXdW0cbw.html )

@sandralourido469

6 жыл бұрын

even this!

Good job! Novel approach to harvesting seeds quickly. I harvested 48 oz (volume) this fall and they sold within 1 week. Sold to cover time and shipping, not profit. Oh, I use a different method to harvest but whatever works. Love the rubber band idea.

@MrLundScience

8 жыл бұрын

+David Dube (Oregon) Thanks David! There's many ways to do it, and I've seen some skilled enough to (somehow) just pull the seeds off from the center core, and not have any of the fluff come with it. My hands have not been able to recreate that, but I found the coins and bags worked great for me, so I'll be sticking with that, I think. Some have talked about burning the fluff, but I think that's because some out there like fire...I don't know that it's best for the seeds.

@19Photographer76

8 жыл бұрын

Because of the Milkweed beetle that lays its eggs in a partially opened pod and fungus, the past 2 yrs I soak the seeds in a mild bleach and BioGreen Clean solution for a few hours. When the fluff dries the seeds fall right off and I screen them. Seeds germinate fine after the cleaning but I do use Moist Stratification on the seeds that I plan to start.

And another comment from a satisfied viewer and member of my group! I think this is a GREAT compliment! Cassie LeAnn Duell That is super awesome!! I wish he had a facebook because I'd like him to see what has come of his videos. I started doing this because of his videos.

@MrLundScience

7 жыл бұрын

Strong words indeed. I'll keep making more as long as there are topics that need to be fleshed out. And we're not done this season. More on the horizon.

Great videos. I'm happy to be on the bandwagon with you.

@MrLundScience

8 жыл бұрын

Great that you're on board. I equally am proud to be on the bandwagon with all of you. We've gotta protect what we have so that we can still have it...and pass it on to future generations.

Very helpful. Thank you!

@MrLundScience

8 жыл бұрын

+Joltrast My pleasure! And keeping a surplus of seeds on hand is a great way to get others in your area to help out. I've found many are willing to plant a few when they hear of how it can help.

@-joltrast

8 жыл бұрын

+MrLundScience Absolutely. Donor plants were how I got started!

love your channel! Thanks for the great tips!

@MrLundScience

7 жыл бұрын

You're welcome! I'll keep 'em coming.

@marissap1988

7 жыл бұрын

My milkweed just seeded for the first time and I'm WAYYYY too excited about it! Lol

@MrLundScience

7 жыл бұрын

How are you measuring your excitement to conclude that it is too much? I say, the more passion, the better. Good luck this season! Are you in a region where the Monarchs will soon be there? Already there? A month away?

@marissap1988

7 жыл бұрын

it's a little much when I'm having dreams about muy flowers every night lol. I'm in South Florida so I believe they're here year round, if I'm not mistaken. I had 2 caterpillars on my plant but didn't take them inside and they disappeared :( next time I'll follow your steps and bring them in. I also just found out that I didn't get the native milkweed to Florida so I'm on the search for some!

@MrLundScience

7 жыл бұрын

You learn as you go, as did I. Yes, south Florida has them year round. I hope my videos are helpful. Ask questions if you need to. If I know the answer, I'll certainly give it, and if I don't know the answer, I promptly admit it (and try to learn it myself as well). Good luck!

And another comment Mr. Lund. Donna Scott Thompson I learned everything from his videos

It may be possible to save unripe pods that have been removed from the plant: End of August or beginning of September, I noticed a neighbor had pulled up some milkweed. Having caterpillars to feed, I asked if I could have some of the leaves. His reaction was "*That's milkweed?*" He hadn't known what it was, but regarded them as weeds because they were something he hadn't planted. The plants he pulled out had unripe pods. I pulled the pods off, leaving a stem attached. I kept the ends of the stem in water. The pods opened last week, and the seeds are brown.

@MrLundScience

6 жыл бұрын

Hey, that's a really great tip! Awesome!

@jamesfunk7614

6 жыл бұрын

To clarify, it wasn't the stem directly attached to the pod, but the next stem.

Your videos have helped me so much. I'm only used to raising luna moths and crecopia. Haha monarchs are a while other story!

@MrLundScience

5 жыл бұрын

I've always wanted to raise a Luna Moth, but have never been able to find eggs (or even just one). They are quite elusive for me, so far.

@rochellelee1883

5 жыл бұрын

I would mail you some eggs!

Milkweed fluff is vegan down-you can use that magical stuff! “It is lighter and warmer, when used in forming coverlets comforters than cotton, or wool, and nearly equal to eider down.” You could also release it for the birds to nest with. www.survival-spot.com/survival-blog/how-to-use-milkweed-fluff-as-warm-insulation/

@MrLundScience

5 жыл бұрын

Indeed! Since posting this video, there's been a few times people have mentioned what this stuff can be used for. Huge variety of applications! Great idea! Thanks for sharing it.

I have a few plan ts in my Front garden. Lots of pods. Just to clarify. Let plants naturally age and when plant is towards end of cycle harvest pods before they open and collect the seeds. The plan to g of the seeds should be done next spring.

Ty😊

My seeds have been in my unheated unattached garage over winter here in New York. Do you think that is cold enough to try to germinate?

I collected my first common milkweed pod ever from the city park this past fall! Yay! Free fresh seeds instead of those 2-3$ commercial packets. Although I tragically sowed the seeds in a bs way, just here and there in my backyard, still full of useless lawn. I don't think it'll grow among competitive grass... Anyway, do the pods come from the faded flowers or form separately on their own?

Love Your Video's!! I'm trying very hard to help the Monarch Butterfly. I've got 8 Milkweed plants. I'm​ in San Diego CA USA & saw a video about the Tropical Milkweed plants & that although they are for sale everywhere here they carry the OE Virus!! I'm glad I only brought 2 plants of My 8. I wanted to hear what Your thoughts are about that plant. He also called it the Mexican Milkweed. It's the One that has the flower of red, orange and yellow. My Other's have yellow flowers. I'm doing this all outdoors. So the risk's are higher when it comes to pests killing them. I watched My 1st One travel far n finally decide on a spot that I had just screened the bottom of a chair. I watched it make it's silk to hang from then saw it drop to a J but He died in that state. So sad. I'm sure some pest killed it but nothing I could see with the naked eye. I'd found another that also was a J but had partially made it's chyrsilis but too died in the process. I have evidence all over of clear empty Chrysils that obviously made it. (I hope) But I am curious about that type of Milkweed that's not native to the USA but is here everywhere! Do I dare buy it?? All I have seen is the Yellow flower type except at Garden center's n Nursery. Are You aware this type carries the OE Virus? You have many Subscriber's, that may need to know. I've only seen this warning by one grower in Hollywood Hills, CA.. I'm very impressed with Your work & value Your opinion. I did inquire about it to Him but, He is going to have some other's do more about it in a month or so was His reply to Me. Please advise Rich!!

@MrLundScience

7 жыл бұрын

Greetings Bev, First, let me say, I pretty much only have experience with the Common Milkweed which is here in Michigan, Asclepias syriaca. So, I have no first hand experience with any other milkweed plants. Back when I started, I even confused in my first Monarchs video Dogbane (Apocynum cannabinum) with a type of Swamp Milkweed due to both having the milky sap in them. Since learning that, I don't know if I've ever even seen Swamp Milkweed in my area. That being said, it's always a best practice to stick to plants that are native to your region. When other species are introduced, there can be consequences to their introduction should the seeds get out into nature, and those consequences are usually negative. This is how invasive species get out there. Now, I'm not saying that I know of any Milkweed invaders that are causing problems, but still, I know I wouldn't want to plant something that could escape into nature and start to compete or out-compete native plants and cause unnatural changes to the ecosystem. The other part I'm curious about in your comment is that you stated that the Tropical Milkweed plant carries OE. I'm curious about this, as, to my understanding, OE spores can really only be spread by Monarchs or Queen Butterflies that are infected, and landing on the plant. (That, and I suppose the chance case of wind blowing the spores to a new location.) So, first, have you tested and found OE spores on the plants that are being sold? In other words, has this been confirmed? Second, where are these plants coming from and being stored? I can see that if they are outdoors, it's easily possible that infected Monarchs may be landing on them, spreading the spores. The best advice I can give is more long term. If you want to make sure OE is not on your plants, you'd have to grow your own, and keep them from native Monarchs in your area from landing on them. From what I understand, though, you're in a rough area with OE. It's pretty prevalent in CA. As last year I made two videos on OE (what it is and how to test for it), this summer I plan to experiment and explore what someone can do if they have eggs that they know came from an infected mother and/or are on leaves that contain OE spores, and what can be done about it. There are methods that people have used to clean the spores before eggs hatch, and I'm going to try this out and see what results I get. Hopefully, I can come up with a worthy video (or two) that can show how to help prevent it!

If you grab the fluff part with one hand and the seed section with the other, twist in opposite directions and the seeds will just fall out

So when you showed how to get seed for the milkweed was that common milkweed? I've never seen that on them.

@MrLundScience

6 жыл бұрын

That is indeed Common Milkweed, Asclepias syriaca. That's the only kind of milkweed I really use, at is it (no pun intended) common in my area. (Can there be a pun, if the name derives from the fact that it is common in the first place?)

Monarchs are hip-hop 😊

@MrLundScience

4 жыл бұрын

Couldn't agree more...

where are you in Michigan I am also in the mitten..... I am growing lost of plants and flowers for butterflies and bees and birds... Love your video's ////

@MrLundScience

4 жыл бұрын

The most I say online is that I'm in the Lansing area. Great job in helping the pollinators!

Loved you video I just found them now when I was reading up about monarchs in their migration because I need my roommates are bunch of them Fluttering around in our trees so I wanted to read about them We hadOne come up in one of our bush flowers anymore as will just one and now I’m waiting for the parts to dry out it is September here in Iowa so how long is this going to take me

@MrLundScience

5 жыл бұрын

If you're talking about a milkweed plant (I think that's what you meant by having "one" come up in a bush) then the seed pods tend to open up starting around now, late September, but some won't open until mid or even late October. Once you see other plants opening up theirs, you know that yours is soon to follow. Some good news, though, is that by now, the pods are about as big as they will get, so putting a rubber band around them at this time isn't restricting their growth in any significant way.

I have found an easier way just try to catch the seed pods as soon as they have a small split open, i pull the fluff out in one peace, using my finger just bumb the seed. As soon as the fluff expands it stick to every thing. Also what variety millkweed do you have? I ask because here in Florida my seed pods are not that plump or big.

@MrLundScience

6 жыл бұрын

Milkweed that is common here in Michigan is, just as it sounds, Common Milkweed, aka Asclepias syriaca.

Help! I am trying to grow asclepias in california from seed. I had twelve seedlings that I planted in June and now I only have three left. I watered frequently, sometimes 5 times a week. Did I overwater? How do you keep them alive?

I just found 4 monarch Caterpillars and it's the first time I have ever seen them. I took them home and I'm excited. I live in Columbus Ohio and I was wondering isn't it kind of late of late in the year to be finding them? I just wanted to let you know!

@MrLundScience

7 жыл бұрын

Nope, it's not too late. This is near the end of the season, but it's not over yet. Last year, I did have some adults emerge in early October. So, finding caterpillars at this time of the year is not unusual. Nice find!

@hamsterama

7 жыл бұрын

+Nicholas Hauser Where exactly did you find the caterpillars? I live in Columbus, too. I've been looking all over for wild milkweed plants so I can collect seed pods, but I've been unable to find any. Can you give me a hint as to where to look? Thanks!

Thanks. Can you just leave the bag outside for the winter? Instead of the freezer

@MrLundScience

4 жыл бұрын

Yep. You certainly can do that too. Any place that has freezing temperatures.

My yard is overrun with invasive knotweed from China. This past year we have been dealing with invasive latern flies from China. I took a section of my yard back by mowing it 2x a week and slowly the grass has came back. I wonder if there was a way to plant milkweed with the knotweed. The knotweed takes over all native vegetation and nothing grows under it even grass. It makes very nice dark rich soil but im afraid of using it for other plants because little bits of knotweed roots might be in the soil and i don't want to help spread it

I love your videos and your channel, I even checked out your Hip Hop video super entertaining and informative to say the least 😁😁😁 I haven't been successful with Monarchs laying eggs on my Asclepias tuberosa, butterflies do visit my perennial garden for all the plants that they love to feed on.thus far only BST have been laying eggs on Rue, Dill and Fennel!! I've collected over fifty eggs and some are about to enclose super excited!!! Thankfully my neighbor has some Asclepias incarnata which I've been collecting eggs from, so far I have nine eggs I check plants daily in hope to find the eggs before any predators get to them!! Can I still plant seedlings now??? I have some which I've collected last year or should I wait till Spring??? Any feedback from anyone would be helpful 😄😄 Thank you! 🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

@MrLundScience

4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for checking out the Hip Hop! I know it won't be to everyone's "flavor", but I greatly appreciate those who give it a chance, for sure! When it comes to planting, I've done it this late in the season, and the root system was able to be established and they came back the next year. I don't know that this will happen with everyone all the time, but the possibility exists, yes. Also, though, there's no harm in waiting until spring, and germinating the seeds a month or so before spring can get them a good start when the soil is finally ready for them. It's up to you. You could even try half and half.

Thank youuuuuuuu From victor ny

@MrLundScience

5 жыл бұрын

You're definitely welcome!

Put your seeds on a plate and run a fan in front of ot for 24 hours, they will be bone dry in a day and you will have no issue with them in the freezer for the next few months.

Great tip! Hey, I wonder if dried beans would work, as a gentler way to shake loose the seeds? Thanks for all this great educational work.

@MrLundScience

8 жыл бұрын

I'm guessing they would, however, you might not want a gentle way. I don't know about ALL milkweed species, but I know that many have suggested "scarification" of common milkweed seeds to help them germinate. If you don't know about scarification, look up on it a bit, but the quick description would be, it causes small imperfections in the seeds that help water seep in, and help speed up the growth process. I can attest, the seeds I've collected this way and got the fuzz off with the coins did quite well when it came to sprouting.

@HollyHunterbeelover

8 жыл бұрын

OK I'll try it. What a relief that will be, thanks. I also found last year that when it gets cold, it becomes a lot easier to harvest the seeds by pinching it together as you open the pod. These were Asclepias Tuberosa, which has a much smaller pod that the ones shown here. But the ones that got away from me, I had given up on, until I saw this tip. Fabulous!

@MrLundScience

8 жыл бұрын

Yes. Rubberbanding saved me a lot of trouble last year!

@normthompson2726

7 жыл бұрын

best use a sunproof higher quality rubber band

I have a question. I am new at this, I have a Monarch caterpillar that is clearly not in the proper stage to be hanging in the J position. did I do something wrong?

@MrLundScience

4 жыл бұрын

I've only heard of this one other time, and it was also this year. I have zero idea what is going on with that. I hope for the lil' guy/gal. Though this likely is something not going right, gosh it's interesting. I think you can presume that it wasn't something you did, though. If it were, it'd be something more commonly brought up. I hope that you update us as to what happens...

REALLY Love and appreciate your video series. Thanks so much for sharing all of your experience. I would like to know, Not sure if you deal with aphids and or spider mites in Michigan, but I live in Texas (near Houston) and aphids are HORRIBLE on my Milkweed. I have tried spraying them off with hard streams of water and they just come right back within a day or so. Grrrr I'm not sure if they effect the larvae, however, it seems like they invite the spider mites and I have lost milkweed before from them. Any advice on how to get rid of aphids and spider mites, without hurting my larvae, would be appreciated. :)

@MrLundScience

8 жыл бұрын

+Robbie Wood Thanks for checking out the videos. It's been a great way that I've been able to find out just how many are really out there trying the help the monarchs. It's encouraging! In Michigan, we definitely have aphids (gosh, who doesn't?) and as far as I know, they themselves aren't harmful to the eggs, nor the larvae. If they attract spider mites, however, I could definitely see how that could be a problem. As far as I know, either we don't have spider mites, or not enough for me to have encountered them here in Michigan. Due to not having aphids as a major problem, I've never had to find a way to remove them. Thus, as it is now, I don't have much advice for you. What I do have, however, is now a definite topic that should be researched and have a video made for, and for that, I thank you! Planned for in the Spring, there will be a video on parasites/infections, chrysalis repair, and now, I'll look into some other pests that might cause problems and see what we can come up with as far as dealing with them. And I'll definitely look into what pests are out there beyond Michigan! I'll need some time to put such together, and the videos are always more interesting if I actually have the monarchs around to be the stars. In the mean time, I've got many Indy Labs videos on my schedule keeping me busy. (If you haven't checked those out yet, and you are into more low cost, at home science, give those a look!) Thanks for the ideas, and thank you very much for being part of this worthy cause!

@robbiewood391

8 жыл бұрын

Thank you SO much for your quick response. I look forward to checking out that video and will also look at the Indy Labs video's. :) I released 6 Monarch beauties today...all males. I love helping the flutterbys. Makes me so happy. BTW, I am almost out of milkweed to feed my larvae that I have brought in since we are having cold weather. From what I understand if I can get them to late 4th or 5 th instar then I can feed them butternut squash. I'm about to flip since it looks like I will not be able to save all of my babies. I have 12 that are in 2nd instar and 14 that are in 3rd. I only have enough leafs for about 4 days now and that's because some REALLY wonderful person sent me a box of her MW leaves. Is there any other food that you know of to finish off my larvae to pupate successfully? I have called both organic nurserys here and they don't have any to offer me for purchase. Also, if I run out of leaves can I feed them the stalks? THANKS!!

@MrLundScience

8 жыл бұрын

+Robbie Wood This site here has some options: texasbutterflyranch.com/2014/04/11/milkweed-shortage-sparks-alternative-fuels-for-hungry-monarch-caterpillars/ Beyond that, in Michigan by the time the adults are gone, there are still fresh leaves, so I've never had to deal with this. If I had some leaves, I'd send them. However, if you go into the Monarch Watch forum board, you might find someone who has leaves they can send. That's what I'd be doing. Good luck!

Use gallon sized bags, works better for larger hands. lol

@MrLundScience

7 жыл бұрын

True!

I just picked some milkweed seeds. Should I plat them now or should I wait until next season?

@MrLundScience

7 жыл бұрын

That might depend upon your latitude and what temperatures you're about to face. Further, do you plan to germinate them, or just sow them as is? Certainly nature will be doing it quite soon (and in some regions, they may already have their pods opening) so you could sow them as is now. I would say, if you plan on germinating, I'd wait until spring.

I have too many caterpillars and not enough milkweed plants to get them to the chrysalis stage. On one plant, I have 13 caterpillars ( babies, to almost ready to start the chrysalis stage), with very few leaves left. They have even eaten the pods on some of the plants. There is a field in the next town from me that is full of milkweed. Can I transplant the caterpillars?

@MrLundScience

4 жыл бұрын

You can. That's what I'd do if I were in your shoes. You got them this far, so you definitely helped them out. Transferring them back to the wild is the best option, and something I've had to do, too, when summer vacations have occurred. Relocating Monarchs to completely different regions is something many have strong opinions against, particularly if it's introducing them to a different Monarch population (say, North American Eastern Monarchs compared to North American Pacific Monarchs), but just heading to the next town over is no problem at all. Thank you for getting them this far!

@cathyhanley8658

4 жыл бұрын

@@MrLundScience We've moved 24 so far. We keep finding babies on the depleted stalks..?? Don't monarchs only lay their eggs on the milkweed leaves?

I've grown my native milkweed for years but still only attracting boxelder bugs. The caterpillars completely devour the leaves. Anyone have any suggestions to control them?

@MrLundScience

8 жыл бұрын

I'm not able to help here, I don't think. I've never seen Boisea trivittata (Box Elder Bug) on any of the milkweed I've investigated for eggs or otherwise. Now, I have seen some Oncopeltus fasciatus, (Large Milkweed Bug) in my yard, but they've found other plants more tempting and have never been on my milkweed. I've seen often Tetraopes tetrophthalmus (Red Milkweed Beetle) on the milkweed plants, usually one or two (and if it's two, they are often mating), and while it's never many on the same plant, its usually on every plant. They have definitely found my milkweed in my yard. The Red Milkweed Beetle is a pest on those plants, for sure. But, I have to wonder, how is that species doing? If both the Monarchs and the Red Milkweed Beetle need milkweed for their life cycle, and the Monarch isn't doing well, how's the Red Milkweed Beetle doing? Us humans will often have a bias in caring about endangered or threatened or concerned species that we find appealing to the eye and heart. The panda, the Bengal Tiger, the White Rhino...the Monarch. I don't even know if there's anyone studying how well the Red Milkweed Beetle is doing. As an aside, here's 9 "ugly" endangered species that need love too: www.buzzfeed.com/fionarutherford/all-you-need-is-love?.fcYjYEoJJ9#.kpYmWEKbbV

Are you going to do any more videos on the monarch caterpillars?

@MrLundScience

6 жыл бұрын

Oh yes. Multiple planned for this summer. My Monarch season really starts in July. That's when I have stars for the show, so to speak. Otherwise, it's just me talking in front of a camera. Visuals of the actual Monarchs definitely makes the videos more clear in what is being discussed, and enjoyable as well.

@elliecollins4465

6 жыл бұрын

Mr. Lund, Thank you so much for all you do with them!

@MrLundScience

6 жыл бұрын

Absolutely. Thanks for checking them out and showing the interest!

I have some seed pods growing on my potted milkweed plants but no sign of butterflies or eaten leaves are Monarch butterflies active this time of year?

@MrLundScience

8 жыл бұрын

+Betta Fish That depends. Where are you located? (Don't get too specific...just what state or providence.)

@BettaFishChannel1

8 жыл бұрын

MrLundScience California. But to update comment, I did see a few butterflies the other day, YAY! A bee also stopped by & hummingbirds :)

@MrLundScience

8 жыл бұрын

Then it's on!

@briancaleb6503

8 жыл бұрын

MrLundScience Do you know when Monarchs should be in West Virginia? Really enjoying your videos! There is a huge field next to our house with a LOT of milk weed but I have rarely seen any Monarchs, but I will be looking for eggs after watching your videos. Also starting purple milkweed helping save another endangered species but in plant!

@MrLundScience

8 жыл бұрын

Assuming the majority of Monarchs that visit West Virginia are coming from Mexico (which is a pretty safe assumption), I don't think many have arrived yet. I'd give it still another two weeks, and you might see some. It's tough to pin it down, however, you can go onto a great source, monarchwatch.org, which has message forums (last I checked) with many people who are enthusiasts from all over the country. Likely, there are some from your State who know when they start showing up better than I. In Michigan, the earliest according to my 5 years of records has been June 29th that I've found an egg. It doesn't really start "poppin" with eggs, though, until around the first week of July. That's when my egg hunts (which may be a 4 - 6 hour bike ride around milkweed spots I know of) have the potential to be worth the trip. So if in Michigan, we're looking at late June / early July that the eggs start appearing, in West Virginia, I would put it more at mid-June to late June. Still, this is my estimate, and there are many out there in the internet who likely know better than I do. (As an aside, how do we all not wake up with a smile on our faces knowing that the internet exists in our time? You can look up and learn nearly anything that is known!) Good luck with your mission, and it's great to have another who has been inspired to help the Monarchs!

I will be doing this. I have permission from my neighbor to do theirs. Why is Milkweed so expensive to buy?

@MrLundScience

5 жыл бұрын

On that, I'm clueless. My number one reason for growing milkweed at home (aside, of course, from just generally helping the Monarchs anyway) is to have a large supply of seeds I can hand off to students I have who are interested in planting milkweed.

Filmed with grandpa's home video recorder of 19dickety2

@MrLundScience

5 жыл бұрын

I'm sorry, but I don't know what this means.

Ad ended immediately. I stopped it and am moving one. Screw ads.

I dont believe the common milkweed needs to be cold stratified, but the tuberosa version does have to be . Still no harm in keeping the seed in the fridge.

@MrLundScience

6 жыл бұрын

I don't believe it either, but don't disbelieve it. I keep meaning to test it out, but have forgotten to get seed pods from the same plant so I can run an experimental and control group. Perhaps this fall, that brain of mine will remember!

Great information but Thought should of been put on what you where Wearing now I can’t show it to the little kids.

@MrLundScience

4 жыл бұрын

I'm confident you'll find a way to still disseminate the information you wish to. Teachers are problem solvers, after all.

Plant*