topic Re: Butterflies a problem??? in Garden

Butterflies a problem???

QVCFanfromLongIsland — Thu, 14 Jun 2018 19:21:35 GMT

I have a question for my QVC garden friends. The past 3 years of growing Italian parsley i have been having a problem with caterpillars laying their eggs on my parsley leaves and using them to turn into butterflies. I did look it up on my Better Homes and Garden book and it is a problem. The first year i actually saw the caterpillars on the plants. They were beautiful. Then I realized they were laying their eggs on the leaves. Didn't know parsley attracts this problem. What i have been doing is checking the plants daily and pinching off the leaves that have the eggs. But I do feel bad for the Butterflies! But I need my fresh parsley! Anybody having this problem?

Re: Butterflies a problem???

BirkiLady — Thu, 14 Jun 2018 19:49:28 GMT

@QVCFanfromLongIsland This is a real Catch 22 question. Butterflies have been decreasing in numbers at alarming rates in recent years. They provide such an important part to our ecology system. I'd suggest you contact your local Extension Dept. and ask them if it's wise to remove all leaves, a few or none. This is a tough question!

Re: Butterflies a problem???

Sweetbay magnolia — Thu, 14 Jun 2018 19:50:58 GMT

Plant more parsley.

Wait, and be patient. The parsley will re-grow.

Plant other host plants for butterflies.

Buy fresh from the farmers market.

Re: Butterflies a problem???

Alison Wonderland — Thu, 14 Jun 2018 19:55:33 GMT

Maybe you can plant some additional parsley in another section of your lot, away from your current parsley. Keep your existing parsley free of eggs and let the caterpillars have the other parsley.

Re: Butterflies a problem???

Lilysmom — Thu, 14 Jun 2018 20:00:27 GMT

We are asked here in Nova Scotia to plant milkweed to act as a host for larvae. They are endangered. Hopefully you can do something to accommodate both your parsley and the butterflies too. Good luck! LM

Re: Butterflies a problem???

jpie — Thu, 14 Jun 2018 22:40:23 GMT

@QVCFanfromLongIsland

I have no idea about flat leaf parsley being a surface on which to lay eggs. This was the first year I grew Italian parsley from seeds to seedlings. They germinated well and then chipmunks continuously dug them up, day after day, until only one tiny underdeveloped seedling was left. These chipmunks have been so destructive with all of my potted plants. So frustrating! I had them planted with purple basil and they weekend the root system so much that it may not survive either.

Congratulations on keeping your parsley! Have you considered a light spray of organic, plant safe insect repellent? I have had great luck with the Bayer brand concentrate. Next year, I will buy a fully developed plant from my local greenhouse nursery and see if I have better luck.

I have read other posts here and I agree that it is a catch 22. Butterflies are wonderful in so many ways. I will have to buy parsley this year, but luckily I don't use a lot of it and it is readily available and not too pricey.

Re: Butterflies a problem???

fthunt — Thu, 14 Jun 2018 23:27:25 GMT

Wish I had your problem! Parsley is rather useless anyway - not much taste - but does give dishes (mashed potatoes - cold salads) and pop of green color. I'd encourage the butterfly population and just buy a bunch of "P" at the farmer's market.

Re: Butterflies a problem???

PA Mom-mom — Thu, 14 Jun 2018 23:44:14 GMT

@QVCFanfromLongIsland The black swallowtail butterflies lay eggs on the parsley. Monarchs lay eggs on milkweed. Either way, we need more butterflies. After a few years of the caterpillars eating all of our parsley, we decided to grow it for the butterflies. If you want to protect your parsley, put netting over the plant to prevent the egg laying. Then, put out at least one big plant for the butterflies. You will see the butterflies landing on your plant, then see one or more tiny yellowish eggs. Then it is time to cover your plant with a tent of netting. Take a few sticks and prop up the netting, making sure to secure it tightly around the pot, so the birds can't get to the caterpillers when they hatch. The sticks are also important to allow the butterfly to attach the pupa. As soon as the butterfly hatches, let it dry for a few hours and allow it to go free. We love this process!

Re: Butterflies a problem???

x Hedge — Fri, 15 Jun 2018 03:58:34 GMT

@QVCFanfromLongIsland

If i have a problem like that I buy rolls of fiberglass window screen and make quick, removable covers.

Drape it over 2' bamboo stakes or wire folding fence and clip it in place with clothespins.

Cut to fit. Easy to unclip and fold back out of the way for weeding and harvesting.

And plant some extra clumps of parsley for the butterflies. People who come to look at your garden will find your 'Butterfly parsley' far more interesting than the parsley you intend to eat.

Re: Butterflies a problem???

QVCFanfromLongIsland — Fri, 15 Jun 2018 09:19:18 GMT

Wow everybody has been very helpful! Thank you all. I thought I was the only one with the problem. Thanks everybpdy.

Re: Butterflies a problem???

JustJazzmom — Fri, 15 Jun 2018 13:18:25 GMT

@QVCFanfromLongIsland The Eastern Swallowtail butterfly also lays eggs on parsley. It will grow back once the caterpillars eat their fill.

Another suggestion: like grow a row for the hungry. Grow a batch of parsley for the butterflies. Take those egg filled leaves and place by the spare parsley.

I had 9 caterpillars on my parsley one year & they ate most of it but it did grow back with new leaves in about 2 weeks. About that time I saw one Swallowtail in the area. I’d like to think that was one of them from the 9 caterpillars.

Re: Butterflies a problem???

goldensrbest — Fri, 15 Jun 2018 15:00:49 GMT

I love butterflies,and would never remove their eggs.

Re: Butterflies a problem???

x Hedge — Fri, 15 Jun 2018 18:20:30 GMT

@Lilysmom wrote:
We are asked here in Nova Scotia to plant milkweed to act as a host for larvae. They are endangered. Hopefully you can do something to accommodate both your parsley and the butterflies too. Good luck! LM

YES!!!

I took a trowel to a "wild" unused area behind the grocery store and dug up milkweed. Brought it home and transplanted it into the "wild" area at the rear of my lot.

We had host plants for Monarchs when I was growing up and I wanted to have that in my yard again.

Re: Butterflies a problem???

goldensrbest — Fri, 15 Jun 2018 21:48:40 GMT

The field next to me ,i do not own it has milkweed, the owner mowed the field.

Re: Butterflies a problem???

mousiegirl — Sat, 16 Jun 2018 00:23:43 GMT

@Lilysmom wrote:
We are asked here in Nova Scotia to plant milkweed to act as a host for larvae. They are endangered. Hopefully you can do something to accommodate both your parsley and the butterflies too. Good luck! LM

@Lilysmom I have many milkweed plants, and a huge

Asclepias speciosa 'Davis' "Davis Milkweed"

for butterflies to lay their eggs, but I have only seen one butterfly so far this year. With all that I have, I don't undertand why there aren't more.

Re: Butterflies a problem???

mousiegirl — Sat, 16 Jun 2018 00:24:34 GMT

I didn't know this about parsley and butterflies, so I will planting lots of parsley.

Re: Butterflies a problem???

Lilysmom — Sat, 16 Jun 2018 08:19:42 GMT

@mousiegirl, I saw my first butterfly of the season yesterday. I wonder if the migration is late this year? We are having a very cool Spring this year with frost well into June. LM

Re: Butterflies a problem???

GingerPeach — Sat, 16 Jun 2018 22:06:22 GMT

@goldensrbest wrote:
The field next to me ,i do not own it has milkweed, the owner mowed the field.

Oh, @goldensrbest

That seems so cruel. Milkweed is the only plant monarchs eat. I hope he/she allows the seeds to resprout -- at least in a designated area.

Re: Butterflies a problem???

CelticCrafter — Sun, 17 Jun 2018 10:29:38 GMT

This was interesting.

I wonder, is it too late to plant an herb garden to attract them?

If it is, I will definitely do it next year.

Re: Butterflies a problem???

GingerPeach — Sun, 17 Jun 2018 16:36:27 GMT

@CelticCrafter wrote:
This was interesting.

I wonder, is it too late to plant an herb garden to attract them?

If it is, I will definitely do it next year.

@CelticCrafter

I have a patio with only narrow planting strips around it.

But in an effort to help monarchs, I just bought a 30 inch long cedar planting box that I plan to use for milkweed next year and, fingers crossed, monarchs will discover it. Maybe I'll even put in some parsley for the swallowtails.

Anyone planting milkweed seeds should be sure to stratify them before planting to ensure germination. In case anyone doesn't yet know, stratification is duplicating nature's conditions that a particular plant's seeds might need before they can sprout. For most milkweed seeds, that means cold temps that can be duplicated by keeping them in the refrigerator between moist paper towels in a plastic bag for 3 to 6 weeks.