Observation

Milkweed plants are fragile when they first sprout from the seed.  They need care as a sprout if they are started in a pot.  As they mature they become resilient and drought tolerant.  A Monarch Caterpillar (as well as ground hog) will eat every leaf of a mature plant leave the stock intact. During the summer, a stock can grow all of its leaves back in about 2 weeks.

Milkweed is the ONLY plant that the Monarch Caterpillar feeds on.  The Monarch Caterpillar has bright strips and smooth skin. They are easily seen when they are on the top of a Milkweed leaf.  Tall grasses grow around the Milkweed Plants to give the caterpillars places to take shelter.  The Caterpillars roam freely.  We keep the yard and garden free of herbicides and pesticides.  

In late September, the migrating adult Monarch Butterflies found the "Pollinator Mound.'   The Mexican Sunflowers were 8 feet tall with multiple stems and hundreds of fresh blossoms.  It was exciting to watch. We observed 2 to 8 Monarchs going from  flower to flower all day for a week.