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- Q.Butterfly Weed That Has Never Bloomed - I have had to container garden for the last three years. I planted the butterfly weed three years ago in ...
- Q.Butterfly Weed - I have black beetles with two orange stripes and a cluster of small insects on my butterfly weed plant. What ...
- Q.Butterfly Weed - My butterfly weed bloomed the first year, but has not bloomed since (2 years now). It's in a pot ...
- Q.Deadheading Butterfly Weed - How do you properly deadhead butterfly weed in order to promote new blooms after the first blooms have faded? Or ...
- Q.Butterfly Weed Pruning - Do I remove the pod when I don't want the seeds to spread and will removal create more blooms? ...
- Q.BUTTERFLY WEED: DO I CUT IT OFF JUST ABOVE THE GROUND IN THE SPRING? DIDN’T UNDERSTAND “…CUT LAST YEAR’S STEMS BACK TO THE - GROUND.." I AM NEW TO THE BUTTERFLY BUSH. WE HAVE 3 HOMES ADJACENT TO EACH OTHER AND ARE DEVELOPING ...
- Q.Milkweed / Butterfly Weed In Containers? - We'd love to attract monarchs and maybe other butterflies to our small urban rooftop garden. Can milkweed and butterfly weed ...
Asked by
tinyGarden on
July 29, 2012Q.Butterfly weed that has never bloomed
I have had to container garden for the last three years. I planted the butterfly weed three years ago in a good sized container. The first year it put out three stalks. No blooms. Second year, four stalks, but was over-run with aphids. This year, five stalks, very healthy and free of pests, but it's showing no sign of developing buds. Is it because butterfly weeds aren't good container plants? This year it has grown taller and fuller than any previous year. Still not a single bud or flower. HELP! I'm located in the Raleigh-Durham area of NC, in zone 7. Most years we have little rain over the summer; however, this year we have been experiencing daily thunderstorms with severe winds, hail, several inches of water pouring down in a matter of minutes. The daily temp averages between 93 and 100 degrees, and our days are usually clear and sunny. . . till the evening craziness begins. Anyone have any ideas for me? Thanks, tinyGarden
Answered by
Nikki on
July 30, 2012
Certified ExpertA.It could be a nutrient issue with the soil. You might want to add some phosphorus to the soil to help with blooming. Bone meal is a good source for this, or use a fertilizer that has a higher phosphorus ratio.
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- Asked by
Anonymous on
September 25, 2015Q.Butterfly Weed
I have black beetles with two orange stripes and a cluster of small insects on my butterfly weed plant. What are they and are they destructive?
- Answered by
Downtoearthdigs on
September 27, 2015A.I think you have milkweed bugs (and their young) on your plant. Since they are considered sap-sucking insects, I would not keep them around. Neem oil spray is an effective treatment and safe to use. Here is more information:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/problems/pests/neem-oil-uses.htmWas this answer useful?00 - Asked by
pcgmac on
July 21, 2017
87107Q.Butterfly Weed
My butterfly weed bloomed the first year, but has not bloomed since (2 years now). It's in a pot that gets a lot of sun. I live in Albuquerque NM. How can I get it to bloom again?
- Answered by
Downtoearthdigs on
July 21, 2017A.Since this perennial grows quickly, it may be root bound. You can move the plant to a larger container.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/butterfly-bush/butterfly-bush-not-blooming.htm
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Anonymous on
July 15, 2018Q.deadheading butterfly weed
How do you properly deadhead butterfly weed in order to promote new blooms after the first blooms have faded? Or does this plant only have one blooming period for the growing season? Thanks!
- Answered by
Downtoearthdigs on
July 15, 2018A.This article will help you.
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/shrubs/butterfly-bush/butterfly-bush-care.htmWas this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Anonymous on
July 22, 2018Q.butterfly weed pruning
Do I remove the pod when I don't want the seeds to spread and will removal create more blooms? Thanks.
- Answered by
MichiganDot on
July 24, 2018A.Dead-heading should prolong the bloom period. Simply cut off the bloom stalk where it meets the first set of leaves. Removing blooms will keep this potentially rapid-spreading plant in check.
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Anonymous on
September 21, 2019Q.BUTTERFLY WEED: DO I CUT IT OFF JUST ABOVE THE GROUND IN THE SPRING? DIDN’T UNDERSTAND “…CUT LAST YEAR’S STEMS BACK TO THE
GROUND.." I AM NEW TO THE BUTTERFLY BUSH. WE HAVE 3 HOMES ADJACENT TO EACH OTHER AND ARE DEVELOPING HABITAT FOR BUTTERFLYS, BEES AND HUMMING BIRDS THANKS...BOB IN WISCONSIN
- Answered by
MichiganDot on
September 22, 2019A.First we should clarify that butterfly bush and butterfly weed are very different plants. You use both terms. Fortunately, in Wisconsin the treatment is the same for both. Butterfly weed, a native milkweed, dies back to the ground so cut down any partial stems that remain. Sometimes milkweed plants are in bad shape this time of year and if so, they can be cut all the way down now. Monarch caterpillars do not form a chrysalis on the milkweed plant so it is safe to put the stems in the compost. Butterfly bush, Buddleia, is a shrub that often dies back considerably during winter in the north. After leaf fall or in spring before buds open, cut the entire shrub down to 12-18 inches.
Was this answer useful?00 - Asked by
Anonymous on
November 18, 2019Q.Milkweed / Butterfly Weed in containers?
We'd love to attract monarchs and maybe other butterflies to our small urban rooftop garden. Can milkweed and butterfly weed be grown successfully in large containers? Also, there's no wild milkweed in the neighborhood. Where can we obtain seeds?
- Answered by
GKH_Susan on
November 18, 2019
Certified ExpertA.Yes, you can, but make sure that this container is pretty tall. This grows a taproot that will need plenty of space. We do not recommend places to purchase, but we do recommend doing an Internet search. You will find many providers that will ship to just about anywhere. You might have some native plant nurseries nearby, they are growing in popularity.
This article will give you more information on the care of milkweed: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/milkweed/growing-milkweed.htm
Was this answer useful?00 - Answered by
MichiganDot on
November 19, 2019A.There are internet sites that can help you find milkweed seeds native to your area.
Xerces.org and MonarchWatch.orgWas this answer useful?00
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