Mr. Lund, you have been such an inspiration. I started watching your Monarch videos last year when I was very ill, and needed to find a new purpose in life. I started learning about the Monarchs and began my new journey. Last year through my illness, I managed to raised and release 41 Monarchs. This month, I have release 14 already, and have been replanting milkweed in my garden. This tip is great and I’m excited to put it to the test. Thank you for your time and inspirational videos. God bless you and your family for the outstanding job you’re doing.

@MrLundScience

4 жыл бұрын

Thank you Sheila. Much appreciated. I'm excited for this season, and to be able to use it to focus on milkweed much more. Lots of territory to cover with it, both figuratively and literally. ;^)

Hey Rich, Mike Martin here from MonarchResearch.org. The cardboard toilet roll planter is something I did in grade school back in the 60's. To help people pass the time with this COVID-19 concern, I've been putting together several items to "repurpose" for growing plants from home. I'm making my own KZread videos, YES, it does take time to shoot and edit, but I believe the time is well worth it! More to follow, good luck, stay safe, have fun, and our door is open, if you ever get down to the Marion/Cedar Rapids, IA area! MRM

Welcome back Mr. Lund. No monarchs yet Wilmington, IL. My backyard common milkweed and swamp milkweed is doing great. The best milkweed to plant in your backyard is swamp milkweed because it stays in place and does not spread from the roots (rhizomes) like common milkweed. Each swamp milkweed plant can eventually have up to six stalks as the plant matures. Plus mama monarchs love swamp milkweed! My sister and I can't wait to start the monarch season. Good luck and good health to everyone.

@MrLundScience

4 жыл бұрын

2020 has earned some very low scores in my book. I hoping that doesn't transfer over to my milkweed efforts. I'm hoping to look back on 2020 as being a year of many things, but at the least, a year I can say I made a lot of progress with milkweed in my nearby natural areas.

Saw my first monarch today on my milkweed. Took a close look at the plant after she flew away. Defiantly eggs there, as well as at least 5 2nd instar caterpillars that I had not noticed before! Last year was my first year raising monarchs and I released 30. So happy they came back this year. My plant self propagated in my garden and I have lots of sprouts that I am going to transplant and share with others.

17 blood flower blooms, looking good Rich!!

Your videos have helped me so much. I have 16 this morning 🦋

This is genius and so practical

Hi Rich! This is a GREAT idea and I've heard of using toilet paper cardboard rolls for growing plants! GREAT JOB!! My Swamp Milkweed in my neighbor's yard (with her permission) is WELL on it's way "Up! Up" Up" like Shania Twain sang years ago and it won't be long until monarchs are laying eggs on it. ALso my Swamp Milkweed in a pot on my apartment steps is doing great as well so I have a feeling I'll be busy this monarch season! Keep up the GREAT work and I will post this in the "Files" section of my "Monarchs and Milkweed" group! Thanks for the GREAT milkweed videos you make and they inspire my members! ;-)

@MrLundScience

4 жыл бұрын

There's three separate milkweed focused videos in the works. They are running in conjunction due to the experiments they are showing, and due to just how long a full process of a milkweed going from seed to something you can put in the ground. If people are hungry for such vids, it feels like they're waiting and waiting, and then boom, I'll have three out near the same time. Crazy how the timing works sometimes. Helping Monarchs and restoring their habitat is not cancelled!

I love your idea for toilet paper rolls and seeds!

@MrLundScience

4 жыл бұрын

Mind you, not my original idea, of course. I've seen others do this back when I was a lil' tyke.

I saw my first monarch lay eggs today, can’t wait to see some monarch caterpillars!

I have made similar with wrapping 2.5 to 3 inch strips of newspaper about a 1 inch PVC pipe. I slide the paper a bit off the pipe and fold the end inward like the TP tube to make the bottom. Just plant the whole thing in the ground with the seedling. I learned about this method at a local forest preserve having a butterfly learning event. I have not spotted a monarch here in Northern Illinois as of yet. Thanks for the series!

I raised over 100 last season in PA. I tagged 25 and they found the fourth one i tagged in Mexico!! Looking forward to this season , i have about 11 baby caterpillers right now so far. Gave alot of milkweed to friends. Teaching many people about Monarchs!

I decided to let my monarchs go natural this year. Had like 30 catepillars all over my potted milkweed. Next day they were all gone. Wasps decimated them lol. Now I built a cage and am working on keeping wasps away.

I Love your videos!!!! And yes, I'm super excited. 1 hour north of Toronto, Ontario in Canada, I finally have some Milkweed plants that have grown so quickly (to about 4 inches) over a few very hot days! I was getting a bit concerned! Interesting thing - some plants that I've had for about 3 years aren't visible yet, but these new ones have obviously grown several feet from those locations - I'm suspecting from underground long runner-roots! Your videos are just great for anything about Milkweed and Monarchs! :-) Thank you.

@MrLundScience

4 жыл бұрын

You're absolutely welcome, Kathryn, and thank you for using the info to help spread the milkweed! I'm excited to be able to focus much more on milkweed this year. Many ideas are in the works!

Welcome back! Saw my first Monarch today a male.

@MrLundScience

4 жыл бұрын

Good eyes, if it was from a distance!

Hey mr.lund , glad your back. I live is south Florida and all year I get eggs. I have to keep my milk weed on my screened in patio just to give them time to grow back. Aphids are tough too. See ya

@MrLundScience

4 жыл бұрын

Glad to be back. Monarchs and milkweed 2020, here we go!

Winter sowed milkweed in milk jugs over winter using my seeds from last year ...got so many plants!!!

Hi Mr. Lund I’m from Minnesota. Last year I raised 600 monarchs. This year I’m planning to have over 1000 of them. I started collecting them last Friday and since today I already have 100 of them

@donnasaverino8949

4 жыл бұрын

I am impressed! I did 53 last year. My first year. and that kept me busy! Do you follow Rich's steps? How do you keep/handle each of the stages? Dishes, cages? Any tips for us to keep organized? donna

Welcome back Mr. Lund! I just saw my first Monarch yesterday and collected my first eggs (Northern NJ). Late for me and only one - not good. I’ve heard from others that they too are seeing far less Monarchs. Are you experiencing the same? I’m trying my hand at outdoor raising this year. I’m excited about the Milkweed videos. I’m in the midst of starting 4 new varieties in my garden. Looking forward to your tips. You continue to inspire!! Have a great season!

I have milkweed about 2 to 3 feet tall. I'm ready.

@MrLundScience

4 жыл бұрын

Let's go!

@sennstrato7281

4 жыл бұрын

@@MrLundScience I have five caterpillars going. They are big and plump this year. Eat,poop,eat,poop,eat,poop.😂 Etc . etc. I've only seen two monarch butterflies and three tiger swallow tails. I hope it picks up.😑

Milwaukee, not yet. Maybe next week.

Hi Rich! Have not seen any monarchs here yet in WV, but I did order some and raised on frozen milk weed leaves just starting to go into chrysalis stage.

4 of my caterpillars just made Chrysalises. I'm ready for an exciting season!

Hi MrLund I've been watching your videos since last year, and learned so much from your five part series. This year so far I've collected 13 Monarch eggs but I actually only seen her once?? I found one caterpillar in 1st instar but sadly it died,the rest had been eggs healthy so far! Thank you Chicago 🦋

I'm glad to see you back again this year. Are you familiar with the Karner blue butterfly? It's population is even more endangered than Monarch, and it would be awesome if you could use your platform to raise awareness. I believe it is considered legally endangered, so raising them may be prohibited. However, more people planting it's only host plant, wild lupine (perennis), could do a lot to save this little blue beauty. Thanks again for all of your valuable information!

I literally haven’t seen any monarchs yet, and to be honest it’s making me nervous because they usually are here by may

Already raising and releasing butterflies in N.Florida.. my season never really ends here. But Hello again Mr.Lund.. glad to see your back doing monarch videos.. Paper towel rolls could also be used

@MrLundScience

4 жыл бұрын

I've seen one Monarch, but am seeing many more other species since then. They're here in Michigan, for sure, but they have so far stayed out of my yard, it seems.

@Seeba1967

4 жыл бұрын

MrLundScience hopefully you’ll get them coming to your plants soon... since March I’ve released around 80 butterflies. And still going 😊

I’ve found some monarch eggs on my milkweed that’s grows in my garden. I hope a few of them survive!

Thanks for making all the awesome videos! Me and my sister started watching them, and are trying to start growing our own milkweed this Spring! Save the Monarchs🦋

@MrLundScience

4 жыл бұрын

Restoring habitat, such as milkweed is the number one way to help them! Thank you for that, and welcome aboard!

Saw my first monarch egg today 😁 the rabbits ate all the milkweed in my yard but i see new growth so that's a good thing!! Super excited for this season!!! THANK YOU MR. LUND!!! what would we do without you? ❤🙏

@MrLundScience

4 жыл бұрын

What would you do without me? I trust the ingenuity of people who seek out this information. If they hadn't found my videos, I trust fully, they'd have kept looking. When you want something, you go after it. That tends to be a pattern I see with Monarch/Milkweed enthusiasts! But thank you nonetheless. ;-)

I love monarchs so much I am inn 2022 and it is Jan 16

Sadly, I haven’t seen nearly as many monarchs this year as I usually do. I live in central pa and I have a giant milkweed plant outside my house which is usually crawling with caterpillars by now, but I haven’t seen any monarch lay eggs on it. I’ve only raised 2 monarchs so far and I had to travel to a different county to find the eggs. I’m hoping the season picks up later in July but right now it’s been disheartening.

Looking forward to your new content 👍

@MrLundScience

4 жыл бұрын

Many thanks! Three separate milkweed experiments are currently running. Videos once results come in (and hours of editing, of course).

ive started to raise monarchs again this season. I hatched 1 egg 2 days ago and have 5 more eggs today

I would love a video on establishing new milkweed plants by root cuttings. I am only 20% successful when I try it. Seems like there is a secret I am missing. In Chicago I have 6 caterpillars on June 14. Last year I had over 30 on this date. I am visualizing a big spike in population with the warmer weather this week.

👍👍👍😀

Happy 2020 MrLundScience!! Great to see you back again. Thank you (as always!!) for the great video; your series(s) are terrific. Since you're trying to focus on milkweed for the moment, I have a milkweed question for you: If one suspects one's MW was contaminated in 2019, would the freezing winter temps in Mid Missouri kill the contaminants? Back story: I transplanted several common milkweed plants from trailside into a wheelbarrow in my yard in the spring of '19. -- Called it my Mobile Milkweed Unit (MMWU). :-) -- 2019 was my third year growing MW, and raising Monarchs, and was the first year I've had issues with God knows what killing the cats, and causing deformities in the chrysalis, and the butterflies. I do know there were tachnids, but I also suspect some other microorganism(s). In the fall I planted the MW, soil and all from the MMWU in a sunny spot in my yard. It has come back and is about 20" tall and looks healthy. . . . In fact, looks better than all of the swamp MW I've had for a few years. I'm hoping winter killed the offending bugs. Your thoughts??? Also: No Monarch sightings for me in Columbia, MO, and no eggs on my MW. . . . Usually I see the eggs/cats before I catch a glimpse of the Flutterbies :-) Looking forward to a great season!

@MrLundScience

4 жыл бұрын

Greetings Cj, and happy 2020 to you as well! When you speak of MW being contaminated, I'm guessing you are referring to OE, or other nasties that are for the most part, invisible. One reason OE is so rampant in places like Florida is because the milkweed there stays and grows year round. Thus, the Monarchs that spread OE are spreading it to new plants all the time. But in northern temperate climes where there is definitely an "off" period for the MW (aka, winter), then those stalks die off, as do the leaves. Come spring, as new stalks sprout, they are just as they look, brand new. They are thus highly unlikely to have any such contamination, even if the plant had it the previous year. These northern climes are lower in OE (or sometimes so low, it's barely there) because of this "winter purge" that the milkweed experiences. If nature wipes the milkweed (above ground, at least) clean, then it's wiping the nasties it had clean too. Does that help? I too am excited for this season. Three milkweed experiments are currently being run, and I'm anxious to see what their results are!

have a lot of seeds, how can we get them to you. we live near ovid. great vids, love them.

I just did something similar today! I found 2 slug eggs in the soil I used; the same is what appears to be in yours! 😁💕

@MrLundScience

4 жыл бұрын

There's one in this video...and now I've got like 50 going. Milkweed, at my house at least, is booming!

WOW!!! Glad your back! PLEASE ANSWER THIS!!!!! I hope you can explain what the HELL this lady is talking about!!!!! I posted on line and I put out in my front yard extra seedlings with a sign "free Tropical/Mexican Milkweed aka Butterfly weed, curassavica." I got this sent to me: I'd strongly urge against planting Asclepias curassiva outside in the northern regions, for two reasons. Primarily because it's a tropical plant, and therefore doesn't undergo a dormancy period in the colder months, so non-migratory monarch species continue to populate it, and ultimately die in the cold of winter, because they have no cue that it's time to move on- they don't migrate based on weather, but instead know to migrate when their food source becomes dormant, and no longer produces pollen. The other reason is more complicated, but still valid. Asclepias curassavica uses the C₄ carbon pathway, meaning in addition to using the Calvin cycle for the carbon reactions of photosynthesis, carbon fixed an additional time, at the cost of two extra Adenosine Triphosphate molecules. This wasted energy is valuable in the southern regions, where keeping the stoma open will result in dehydration of the plant, and closing the stoma allows oxygen to accumulate inside the plant, wasting fixed carbon. In the northern regions, however, plant stoma is almost always open, because our high humidity and cooler temperatures don't dehydrate plants as easily. Due to this, Asclepias curassavica both keeps its stoma open, but continues to waste ATP to fix carbon an additional time. Because of this wasted energy, it's chemically incapable of growing to its full potential, and the plant is stunted, rendering it much less effective in producing pollen, and therefore being of lesser value to monarchs compared to indigenous milkweed species such as Asclepsias syriaca. It can be more beneficial to grow it in a greenhouse or enclosed butterfly garden, but outside it can actually do more harm than good to monarch species. Maxx Castillo, Red Run

@MrLundScience

4 жыл бұрын

Greetings Donna! Thank you for your question. Before I get into it just a bit, let me tell you about some of my own personal rules I have for certain things... I realized a while back that I don't feel comfortable *telling* people what to plant and what not to plant in their back yards. I think that's a personal choice. The scientist/environmentalist in me has made a *personal* choice to only plant things in my yard that are already native to my area. This is because I know about invasive species, and if I maintain this blanket rule (whether it's about milkweed or otherwise), then I need never worry that I've contributed to any type of invasive species or ecological disruption. Now, that said, keep in mind that my wife doesn't follow this, so you may very well see flowers in videos in my yard that already don't follow this. So be it. My wife has full reign over areas in my yard, and the risk of invasive species with store bought seed options isn't all that high. So with that all stated, I don't really weigh in on the Tropical Milkweed issue too much, because then I'd be telling people what they should or shouldn't plant in their yards, and not being a gardener, I think that'd be pretty pretentious of me. As you have asked, though, I'll offer what I can here. Part of this season's plan is to address this fully (or as full as I can) in a video, and describe why it is a controversy. From what I have looked into Tropical Milkweed for the past three years or so, matches up very well with what was sent to you. (I'll admit, though, this is the first time that I've heard of the carbon pathway being part of the concerns, and thus, I have some more homework to do!) What is stated there, and the concerns, I would concur, they are valid. The largest concern (and whether it is truly the largest or not, I admit is debatable) is due to Tropical Milkweed in more northern areas not "shutting off" when the native milkweed in those areas are winding down. The presence of Tropical Milkweed still doing its thing can cause OE parasites to be in an area longer than it naturally would (as the Trop. MW doesn't dry up and die off as quickly, or if in the right locations, at all). It can also potentially disrupt migration if there's enough of it in a location. We don't fully understand what cues and combinations of cues the Monarchs use to know when to migrate, and where to go. We understand some parts, and some parts very well, but others are a mystery. And for these reasons, we don't know how severe Tropical Milkweed in the wrong places can be to this, but we do know that there's a chance it can affect migratory paths, and possibly even in larger ways than we think. If Monarchs are heading down a migratory path in the fall, but they come to a place that still has Tropical Milkweed flowering, it's possible, and it's a likelihood, some of those Monarchs may stay in that area longer than they should, and not fully make the migration. Others may stay, and even come out of diapause, "thinking" it's still summertime and will feed from those plants and lay eggs that are pretty much doomed. These concerns, sadly, are valid. I hope this helps! As just an individual, though, if you have some Tropical Milkweed in your yard planted already, one person doing so isn't rocking huge boats. But if we're talking about a neighborhood group that starts planting plenty of Tropical Milkweed, well, the more it's out there in an area it doesn't belong, the higher the probability of something being disrupted in ways we either can predict, or don't know enough to predict. Does that make sense?

We’ve have them here in So Cal year round. Sadly, we released only about 15 from winter until now (that’s about 1/4 of what we released last year). The tachnid fly has decimated my cats more so this winter, and OE is still present, even thought I cut back all my stock of milkweed (bought new plants to feed the cats over winter). Looking forward to the new season about plants for many reasons! Due to the epidemic, I couldn’t get to our favorite nursery that’s 35 miles away, so had to get plants from a local one (online order, curbside pick up!). My third set of plants affected the cats somehow (growth hormones?), and many did not survive to form their chrysalises. We need to start sprouting our own seeds as we saved a ton of them from the past few years. Oddly, I have been buying more native species of milkweed for our area, but the cats still prefer the swamp milkweed the local nurseries carry. I was told that’s because they contain higher amounts of the toxic substance the cats need.

Hi, I recently found a butterfly whose wings are damaged, not broken but bent or wrinkled and I don't know how to help it fly again. I've feeded it and taking care of it and I don't know what to do about its wings I hope you can help me

It's June 27th and still waiting for them to arrive! I live in Detroit area MI. Anybody else having this issue?

@MrLundScience

4 жыл бұрын

On June 29th, I found two eggs quite close to the Detroit Zoo. Same date, saw an adult female in the Lansing area. Prior to that, though, found two eggs in Grand Rapids in mid June, and saw an adult Monarch in the thumb area of Michigan on 5/30. That's what I have, so far.

Not having the best season so far. No too many monarchs showing up around here so that means not too many eggs. I have probably found 25 eggs and some weren’t fertile. I have a total of 10 caterpillars and one chrysalis right now so hopefully the season gets better within the next month.

I just planted two milkweed plants from seed (& more on the way). They’re really small but hopefully next summer they’ll be back bigger and stronger! Maybe even by the end of summer they’ll be a bit taller. If anyone can tell me what their milkweed was like the first year (and how tall it got) that would be really helpful!

I’m curious about transplanting milkweed plants. I grew several Purple Milkweed, Butterfly Weed, and Swamp Milkweed in my front garden from seed two years ago. A new family moved in three houses away and they have terminex spray their lawn. I’m worried about the pesticide drifting over. I can think of 3 solutions. Should I move the caterpillars as soon as I see them, destroy the plants, or try to transplant them. I do have an entire Milkweed patch elsewhere. Any suggestions on how to transplant them? Thank you!

In Florida we have had Monarchs for quite awhile. IN the past few weeks we have helped raise 30. Today we secured seeds from a wild Milkweed plant. Our plan is to plant them next year. However, could we sprout the Milkweed seeds now and grow them this summer? PS Our family and other families in our area are following your lead, thanks so much!!!

@MrLundScience

4 жыл бұрын

I believe that's fully possible, provided that the intention is only to have them establish a root system and be sprouting next season with the already established ones. If the intention is for a food source, no, that's not likely going to be helpful to the caterpillars or the plant, but I don't think you are intending that. I'm mostly typing that for any others reading. The first time I planted milkweed in my own yard, I did it in July, and though I don't remember exactly when, it wasn't early July. And honestly, it could have been August. Memory fails me. But it was 2014. Those sprouts were transferred into the soil in August of 2014. That I'm 100% sure of. And that year, we did not have a chain link fence, and deer were often in our yard. They ate those sprouts after two weeks. Ate them down to the nub. And the rest of the summer and fall, never came back. Still, the next spring, 2015, they shot up sprouts. The root system had continued to establish. Always remember, half of the plant (or more) is often the roots. Good luck!

@Damicj4

4 жыл бұрын

@@MrLundScience thank you! We are loving the experience to help the Monarch community.

Haven’t seen my 1st yet, Columbus OH. Been using this method to start my zinnas and dill for a number of years now, alway had great success. Hope you’re staying safe.

@MrLundScience

4 жыл бұрын

Safe as can be expected. Luckily, planting milkweed and rearing Monarchs can be a very low or no contact activity.

When should we cut the milkweed flowers so the butterflies can continue their journey? I live in Houston Texas.

I've got 7 sprouts but they are still very small should I let them sit for a little longer?

The toilet paper roll will not breakdown fast enough in time for the root’s full development. Placing this in the drown as you have it will highly stunt the growth of your milkweed. Believe me, I know. I used cardboard a lot in my raise beds

One of my seeds came out the opposite way. Is that normal

Hey rich I also raise monarchs and I have been keeping a real close eye on my milkweed sprouts. I was wondering if you have found any eggs or caterpillars yet. I have checked all of mine (70 or so) and haven’t found 1 yet. I have seen maybe 4 females and 2 males flying around also. I may be jumping the gun for looking for them here in western Michigan but I’m just anxious to see if you have seen any or if you are having the same situation as me. Love your vids and I look up to you!

@MrLundScience

4 жыл бұрын

Greetings Jaxon! Great questions, sir. I too had some concerns. Load up some Google Maps if you need to. But, on 5/30, I witnessed an adult Monarch in the thumb of Michigan, near Lake Huron. Looked at milkweed a bit, but no eggs there. Second week of June, was in Grand Rapids, and found my first two eggs. In the Detroit area, I know of a family member who found two eggs today. But, they only started looking today. And with all that in mind, it was only today, 6/29, that I saw my first Monarch in the Lansing area. So, it would seem that where they are, where they aren't, could be spotty. And lots of variables could be at play. I hope that helps, and I'll be checking out your channel! Ever Forward!

@tinasewell1604

4 жыл бұрын

I have triple the milkweed in my yard in Ohio. I haven't seen any monarchs yet.☹ I'm very concerned. My neighbor has 6 foot tall milkweed plants all over. She has not seen any either. It's a bit scary.

Hi, what tyole of micrscope should i buy?? I bought a fancy one and it too complicated!!

Do you put the milkweed seed in water to get to sprout it maybe.a dampen paper towel? Also when. You test for OE do you randomly test a certain amount of monarchs and record data? Are there symptoms on the chrysalis/ butterfly that may indicate that OE might be there and you may want to test? Ellen crenson

@MrLundScience

4 жыл бұрын

Greetings Ellen! This video shows the full germination process I still do (though I'm experimenting with others this season): kzread.info/dash/bejne/nneevM1yp8WqkZM.html As for OE, I test every adult. This shows how I do it: kzread.info/dash/bejne/oqyMzaOFYcuYoNo.html I hope this helps!

weird i just started harvesting eggs and i see this video. You were like on que lmao

@MrLundScience

4 жыл бұрын

I mostly made this video because I saw my first Monarch in Michigan, which let's me know, it's time. Thus, we could say that Monarch was the one on que. Ha!

which potting mix do you use for the sprouts, I just used seed started on a batch but the one you used in this video does not look like seed started, thank you for your videos.

another option to start seedlings is a paper egg carton!

Last year here in the Piedmont area of NC, I had Monarch eggs and caterpillars in May. This year the milkweed hasn't even bloomed yet and I have seen no monarchs. I do have fat solid light orange pugs eating the milkweed as fast as they can and leaving poop everywhere. Can anyone help?

How do i get the seeds?

Saw the first monarch here in NC a few days ago, then saw one yesterday. Milkweed is growing like wildfire. Besides squishing, what is the best way to kill aphids?

Wonderful! I meant to sprout some milkweed this year but... got distracted. Is it too late in the season for me to start?

@MrLundScience

4 жыл бұрын

Not too late at all. First milkweed I ever germinated and planted in my own yard was done so in late August. They never got that big, and it was prior to me having a fence, so some deer came along and ate them to the ground. I thought they were goners, but the next year, they came right back. The root system had been established.