Butterfly Gardening - How to Propagate Milkweed
The most recognized butterfly, the Monarch, has one and only one host plant-- the milkweed.
While milkweed comes in many varieties, they can all be propagated through the same method.
Propagation is a great way to create more plants without having to go to the local nursery.
As you may already know firsthand, during the high season the monarch larvae will eat more milkweed than you can keep up with.
So the more, the better! Milkweed propagation begins with selecting a healthy plant.
You want to steer clear of plants that have any sort of fungus or infestation.
If you have a plant with aphids or milkweed bugs that is otherwise healthy, clear the plant of all insects prior to propagation.
After plant selection, you then need to fertilize the plant.
You will want to fertilize with an all purpose fertilizer approximately 2 weeks before you plan on starting the propagation.
After you have fertilized and have waited the two weeks, you then want to take your cuttings.
It is best to take the milkweed cuttings first thing in the morning while the water reserves in the plant are high.
Each cutting should be approximately 4 to 6 inches in length, ideally with at least 3 leaf nodes.
Take a cutting slightly below one of the nodes, and also cut off the top of the cutting.
This will allow it to branch out and create a bushy new milkweed plant as opposed to a plant with only one long tall stem.
You can also make the cutting under water, as some say this aids in the propagation, though this is not required.
Make sure to remove any leaves near the bottom of the cutting, leaving only a maximum of 2 leaves at the top.
If you have too much growth on a cutting, the plant will use its resources to keep this foliage alive as opposed to using its energy to grow new roots.
After you take the cutting, place it in a clear glass, in a bright location, but out of direct sunlight.
Change the water in the glass daily to maintain the oxygen level.
Within a few weeks you will start to see roots, and when they get about 1 to 1 1/2" in length, give yourself a pat on the back! You have successfully propagated your milkweed plant and it is now time to transfer your new plant to a pot.
While milkweed comes in many varieties, they can all be propagated through the same method.
Propagation is a great way to create more plants without having to go to the local nursery.
As you may already know firsthand, during the high season the monarch larvae will eat more milkweed than you can keep up with.
So the more, the better! Milkweed propagation begins with selecting a healthy plant.
You want to steer clear of plants that have any sort of fungus or infestation.
If you have a plant with aphids or milkweed bugs that is otherwise healthy, clear the plant of all insects prior to propagation.
After plant selection, you then need to fertilize the plant.
You will want to fertilize with an all purpose fertilizer approximately 2 weeks before you plan on starting the propagation.
After you have fertilized and have waited the two weeks, you then want to take your cuttings.
It is best to take the milkweed cuttings first thing in the morning while the water reserves in the plant are high.
Each cutting should be approximately 4 to 6 inches in length, ideally with at least 3 leaf nodes.
Take a cutting slightly below one of the nodes, and also cut off the top of the cutting.
This will allow it to branch out and create a bushy new milkweed plant as opposed to a plant with only one long tall stem.
You can also make the cutting under water, as some say this aids in the propagation, though this is not required.
Make sure to remove any leaves near the bottom of the cutting, leaving only a maximum of 2 leaves at the top.
If you have too much growth on a cutting, the plant will use its resources to keep this foliage alive as opposed to using its energy to grow new roots.
After you take the cutting, place it in a clear glass, in a bright location, but out of direct sunlight.
Change the water in the glass daily to maintain the oxygen level.
Within a few weeks you will start to see roots, and when they get about 1 to 1 1/2" in length, give yourself a pat on the back! You have successfully propagated your milkweed plant and it is now time to transfer your new plant to a pot.
