Worldwide Beekeeping
Worldwide Beekeeping Resource Library => Honey, Bee Forage; Nectar & Pollen Sources => Topic started by: Jen on August 24, 2014, 12:35:16 am
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I want to plant milkweed on the bank behind our house to see if I can get any monarch's to use them to hatch their young.
1. Do deer eat milkweed?
2. Does the milkweed have a bloom that would attract honeybees?
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YES jen, awesome plant for monarchs and honey bees!
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Cool! We have deer come thru our back alley all day long, would they eat milkweed?
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Most deer will leave milkweed alone, but be careful of rabbits - they love to chew on the stalks.
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Must be a different milkweed than we have up here. I've never seen a single bee on it.
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No rabbits here, so that's good ~
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No rabbits here, so that's good ~
The thing about rabbits is that they breed like rabbits.
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I have always understood that the "sap" from the milkweed was poisonous to most critters like deer and rabbits?
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This program, located at the University of Kansas, is headed by Dr. Chip Taylor. He is an annual speaker at our beeclub funday. This a fabulous program and you might find some answers here Jen.
http://www.monarchwatch.org/ (http://www.monarchwatch.org/)
Dr. Taylor, with help from volunteers, planted a pollinator garden just about 1 mile from my house. The site is on top of an EPA super fund site where chemicals had leached out into the soil and ground water. Now it is a nice park with walk ways, benches and informational signs.
I think Taylor, who is head of the entomology dept. at KU, spends a large portion of his time in South American and Mexico doing research on Monarchs and Honey Bees.
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It's so rare that I see a Monarch around here. This year I have seen way more Swallow Tails than usual every day. Really enjoying that. But if could bump up the Monarch's... Man! That would be soo cool!
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Sap of milkweed is toxic to most animals, few things, for example monarch caterpillars, feed on them, is also why so few things prey on them. Have a large collection of stalks where milkweed was. They are recovering slowly. Cycled through about 100 monarchs.
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Is milkweed an invasive weed, taking over the land? Sure is an exquisite weed with seed, silk, and pod ~
(https://worldwidebeekeeping.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs9.postimg.cc%2F4ztxjnuiz%2FDSCF0423.jpg&hash=1bc3bc2c14efb284b5cb37d932fc333ed1d41be8) (http://postimg.cc/image/4ztxjnuiz/)
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Is milkweed an invasive weed, taking over the land?
No, that would be kudzu.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kudzu
http://clctreeservices.wordpress.com/2011/07/28/the-mile-a-minute-vine/
(https://worldwidebeekeeping.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fclctreeservices.files.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F07%2Fkudzu-house.jpg&hash=3aa985caf2f7fb372320eb6df5d7ac1ad6237f23)
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Holy Shmolly! I've seen documents on this nasty stuff.
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(https://worldwidebeekeeping.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ftapatalk.imageshack.com%2Fv2%2F14%2F08%2F24%2Ff50dcd7a3140dce2649e8eb9c3301b11.jpg&hash=1b5f473408a8bf7f7555dfabec671231e89a8427)(https://worldwidebeekeeping.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ftapatalk.imageshack.com%2Fv2%2F14%2F08%2F24%2F764120f77be1e291199d176e1012bc96.jpg&hash=eda5f8e56196ce7ca82e2d51c54253a0a14c0d07)(https://worldwidebeekeeping.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ftapatalk.imageshack.com%2Fv2%2F14%2F08%2F24%2Fe4b9e1b6cfa4f11c55a6dccb80d32d5a.jpg&hash=e693777ded67912ff23daa91b29e7e917825d0f0)
Milkweed with monarch caterpillars
Second egg
Stalks
Lol:D
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OMG! That would be thrilling to watch ;D
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(https://worldwidebeekeeping.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ftapatalk.imageshack.com%2Fv2%2F14%2F08%2F24%2F69152d44bef857d90555ba26fb17c4d1.jpg&hash=f46144c1dc1c26be62c04b3ab88a715f4e9ffeba)(https://worldwidebeekeeping.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ftapatalk.imageshack.com%2Fv2%2F14%2F08%2F24%2Feba681cb1e0c3d53b90f26a002606572.jpg&hash=3cc18f89be3ebf5a2a9fb450228e01958dcc38fb)
Bottom pic, just hatched out of pupa case
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Gorgeous! I'm gonna get me some of those next year.... hopefully :)
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That seed case, broad cast seeds where you want them, water them every few days
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If I remember correctly member Walt B, from Texas, volunteers with Monarch research. I believe he goes out and reports when he sees eggs, etc. You might PM him, Jen.
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nice pix barry!
milkweed, there are native and non native species of it, i don't know that deer really bother it, certain species will grow in drier soil, i think the common milkweed is what we have. it can be invasive BUT where we see it grow is not invasive, very dry soil, so it is not taking over much of anything else and other plants are not competing with it. jen you can collect the seeds from this and plant. ours doesn't need much water, it seems to do well in my fields regardless of rain, and we don't water the fields. any butterfly or bees will benefit from milkweed.
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Thanks Riv- The drought here doesn't seem to hinder the milkweed in our area. Hubby collected a bunch of seeds for me last year, so I'll put them out this Fall. Thanks!
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jen, how did you store your seeds?
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In a plastic zippie in the garage all winter. the silk is falling off of the seeds
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I water to promote faster germination, and seedling growth. Had 35 mature plants, with hundreds of seedlings, in month...plants reduced to stalks, and chewed down seedlings. All I did was wait until seed pods split open a bit, I simply scraped out seeds on to the ground, heavily watered. Within a week seedlings started showing.
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and then do you continue to water for a while?
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I would until they get better established. Once they're established you don't have to do much with them at all lol they grow like weeds
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Okay, I'll put some over the fence on the bank, then maybe a barrel of them inside the fence. Thanks!
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Jen I emailed my local beeclub's honey plant officer. She says her bees work common milkweed, but she's not sure about the amount of nectar or the quality. She didn't have an answer about deer eating milkweed. I am with everyone else regarding the sap being toxic. So, for what it's worth... :-\
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couple articles on common milkweed, some good info and describes the toxins:
USDA Plant Guide Common Milkweed (http://plants.usda.gov/plantguide/pdf/cs_assy.pdf)
Common Milkweed (http://www.fcps.edu/islandcreekes/ecology/common_milkweed.htm)
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Bottom pic, just hatched out of pupa case
This looks like the tropical milkweed that is an annual in my part of the country. It is gorgeous planted in mass.
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Mexican milkweed
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Bees love the milkweed.
(https://worldwidebeekeeping.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs21.postimg.cc%2F8ubwrz1cz%2F10441422_851900484838518_4258601904623453596_n.jpg&hash=8d73d57d07aa073da1b352514fa055965301ca9c) (http://postimg.cc/image/8ubwrz1cz/)
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great pic ed!
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Only on a bee forum will you find folks talk about PLANTING milkweed and dandelions: http://www.worldwidebeekeeping.com/forum/index.php/topic,1635 (http://www.worldwidebeekeeping.com/forum/index.php/topic,1635) :D
I have to, somewhat, disagree with the toxic statements. Yes, as a raw plant, milkweed is/can be toxic. However, it can be cooked and consumed:
http://foragersharvest.com/milkweed-a-truly-remarkable-wild-vegetable/ (http://foragersharvest.com/milkweed-a-truly-remarkable-wild-vegetable/)
http://www.eattheweeds.com/asclepias-some-like-it-hot-some-like-it-cold-2/ (http://www.eattheweeds.com/asclepias-some-like-it-hot-some-like-it-cold-2/)
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"Only on a bee forum will you find folks talk about PLANTING milkweed and dandelions: http://www.worldwidebeekeeping.com/forum/index.php/topic,1635 :D"
pretty much, if it's good for the bees we will plant it or let it grow !
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CpnObvious, understand your statement, last time I checked deer don't use a stove or campfire much, as for eating it myself, don't think so not when am cultivating something bit better.
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what..... a better edible milkweed plant barry?.........okay nevermind.......... :D :D :D
capn, i don't know much about the toxicity of the plant other than the toxicity with regards to insects and the medicinal qualities used in generations past by whomever. i don't know that deer eat it or bother it. the deer are too busy nibbling on my garden veggies.....and other perennial plants.
i do know from observation all sorts of butterflies and bees benefit from milkweed plants, including native bees, bumbles, including yellow jackets, but more so, the monarch butterfly benefits from this plant more than any other insect.
i am not sure i would be one to try to prepare it to consume it....i kinda like watchin it grow in the fields...... ;D
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That's more what I was wondering about. It didn't occur to me to consume it myself. I was wondering if I planted it out on our bank outside of our back yard.. if the deer would eat it before the Monarch would find it.. and if the bloom would be good bee food for my bees. Thanks Riv :)
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I hope Walt B checks in. I bought milkweed starts from a monarch rescue organization in spring 2013, never saw any larva, although in later summer and fall I did see a few monarchs on my blue mist flower. I hoped that like wild white glue sap milkweed this tuberosa variety was perennial in Texas, it doesn't seem to be. What I need to know, since I got a couple of silky pods from wild milkweed, is whether the monarchs like to eat it too? Because it puts down a deep tuberous root and is pretty drought hardy.
So Walt, where are you?
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Buttonbush, bees love its blooms, is a plant that likes sunny moist areas, such as edge of swamps. I started some from seed this spring and have transplanted them in my swampy areas. When I ordered the seeds of the Buttonbush, I also got a free packet of Rose Milkweed. I did not follow the germination process, just planted them as any seeds and one plant survived. I planted it in a bank near my hive and it is now about 3 feet tall with a small flowering tassel on top. Before this I did not know there were other milkweed types. You can buy seeds and plants that honeybees like from Prairie moon nursery www.prairiemoon.com
Something else I have in my yard is a blue thistle bush which the honeybees like. It is a perennial and gets a little bushier every year.
I have a large Japanese Knotweed bush, looks like bamboo, which is being tended by the bees. All of these plants are blooming now in Massachusetts. I will take pictures.
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Would Love some pics Marion, Thanks!
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I've never cooked and eaten milkweed, but the darned drought and grasshoppers got my swiss chard and other veggies so I did cook some lambs quarters and wild purslane a couple of days ago, used like spinach and stirred into my scrambled eggs. If I can't get real veggies to grow just have to eat what grows....
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marion, prairie moon nursey is the best! this is where we get all of our seed and seed mixes, and they are very knowledgeable and very helpful.
japanese knotwood~japanese bamboo, this is a very invasive species, but the bees sure benefit from it. it's hard to kill and hard to control. we have some of it left, and the bloom is now waning, but when the bees are on it, i can hear the buzz from the house, just thousands of bees on it. we are in a forest management program which requires eradication of non native species. can't tell you how i went around and around with the county forester over taking this out. i hope he doesn't come back for awhile........ ;D
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(https://worldwidebeekeeping.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs24.postimg.cc%2Fsjfjk4oxt%2Fblue_thistle.jpg&hash=3065dc41ead9305979d340ec423acfc7d9ec3ad1) (http://postimg.cc/image/sjfjk4oxt/)
The flower at the top was very small and it appears to be past its prime now. I'm hoping it gets larger next year.
(https://worldwidebeekeeping.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs12.postimg.cc%2Fgd5o1lltl%2Fmilkweed.jpg&hash=986d1a10330afe6cb44527fda1fc618dd5da9098) (http://postimg.cc/image/gd5o1lltl/)
(https://worldwidebeekeeping.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fs27.postimg.cc%2F3ptjct1jj%2Fknotweed.jpg&hash=6a246a9ccc9e23cf3681d6d3906593fda0eb6a2d) (http://postimg.cc/image/3ptjct1jj/)
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:photos:
thanks marion!
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Given the interest in this thread, I thought some might be willing to participate in this. http://www.centerforfoodsafety.org/take-action (http://www.centerforfoodsafety.org/take-action) There are petitions here to protect honey bees and Monarchs as well as a few other things.
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Thanks for this Baker :) I haven't read it yet, but I'm definately interested. The three main critters that I'm concerned about for now is honeybees, monarchs, and bats. So many think that bats are creepy, but they are really docile sweet creatures and are crucial to our pollinating system.
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Thanks for this Baker :) I haven't read it yet, but I'm definately interested. The three main critters that I'm concerned about for now is honeybees, monarchs, and bats. So many think that bats are creepy, but they are really docile sweet creatures and are crucial to our pollinating system.
We've had a problem with rabid bats in this part of the country this summer.
Last weekend we went to a rock concert at a large amphitheater. Bats were flying and feeding over the crowd. I wondered how were they able to do that when the music is so loud? How is that possible when you can feel the drums and bass? It wasn't so loud that ear plugs were needed but how was a little bat able to use their sonar in all that?
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Baker, you've had a problem with Rabies? Has anyone been bitten by rabid bats?
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http://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article738803.html (http://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article738803.html)
There was also the young girl, I believe from Lee's Summit as well, whose parents found a bat in her bedroom. As bats have razor sharp teeth and bites may not show, the parents decided to go ahead with the rabies shots for her.
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Actually, I mentioned bats as an important pollinator along with monarch's and honeybee's, this thread is getting high jacked. I do think that bats are worth discussing, so many misconceptions. Maybe a new thread for bats? :)
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.......okay back to milkweed...... ;D
common milkweed, just a short blurb and this is from my trusty field guide for wisconnie and the notes of the author:
"there are over 2,000 milkweed species worldwide, 13 in Wisconsin. A unique pollination system involves sacs of pollen that snag on an insect's leg; the insect then unwittingly inserts the sacs into slits on other flowers. The plant's milky sap contains cardiac glycosides and, if eaten, will cause hot flashes, rapid heart rate and general weakness. The Monarch butterfly lays it eggs exclusively on milkweeds. Monarch caterpillars ingest the toxic sap with no ill effects, but they then become toxic to birds and other animals. Fibers from old stems are used by orioles for making nests."
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;) 8)
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NOT.. to change the subject.. but has anyone else read Shepherds Watch's profile statement????
My biggest fear is that when I die my wife will sell all of my beekeeping stuff for what I told her I paid for it.
I laughed SO HARD I had rum going through my nose.. WELL SAID my newest finest friend!
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I would plant some milkweed seed but if I did the wind would carry my dirt off it is so dry and windy
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here's a good one,
two days ago, the mister and i went for a long walk. on that long walk we came across some milkweed, (not like we don't have any) and took the pods off.
they were a bit green and had not opened yet, i told him to wait and we'd come back for them......nope, picking them now. how to properly harvest the seeds from these.... he googled it....... so he GLUED THE PODS SHUT WITH EPOXY .......
seriously!
oh please i hope he never decides to come on this site, i will be SOOOOO sleeping somewhere else........ :D
.......... :D
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:laugh: LOL :laugh:
"Oh please i hope he never decides to come on this site, i will be SOOOOO sleeping somewhere else........
Copy that Riv! Hubby has no idea about the forum side of me :laugh:
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Well, from what I can tell from my milkweeds, the deer must bite off the flowers because all mine have been "topped". Considering all the other browse they have to eat around here it makes me suspect that we're over populated. Maybe the flowers aren't quite so toxic. Hope I can collect some seed pods so I can get a stand started for the monarchs also. When I was a kid it was no effort to find a leaf with an egg on it and raise a caterpillar to adulthood and release it. Now I might see one monarch a week.
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Same here Retro, and it's been a long time since I've seen many swallow tails either, but this year there were many more. I love them so :) I'm going to plant some milkweed in a barrel within my fences yard as well as on the bank behind our fence. I have a very nice elderly lady behind me as well that prob would let me put some milk weed in her empty raised garden beds ;D