how to grow swan plants from cutting

Swan plants can be propagated for transplant using a seed tray or punnet of starting mix. Place seed individually in position or lightly scatter and then top with a thin layer of additional mix or sand.

How do you propagate a swan plant?

The swan plant is a favourite food for monarch caterpillars.
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Swan plants from seed

Fill a seed tray (or recycled seedling punnets) with Black Magic Seed Raising mix.
Scatter the seeds over the mix and then sprinkle a fine layer of seed raising mix over the top.
Place them in a warm place indoors.

Do swan plants regrow?

Swan plants are toxic if ingested so care is needed if young children are around. ... If you find the caterpillars have eaten all the leaves and left only the stem, don't throw the plant away as it can regrow, just feed the swan plant a liquid fertiliser and let it come back again.

How long do swan plants live for?

Swan plants can live 2-3 years and you are fortunate in having had them establish themselves as you won't need to buy any more food for caterpillars.

Is Swan plant poisonous to humans?

Swan plants (Gomphocarpus spp.) are toxic, and swallowing even a small amount could be a problem. Ingestion of the plant material can affect the heart, breathing, central nervous system and the stomach. ... Often the chrysalis of the monarch may be ingested as they look similar to lollies.

What can I feed a swan plant?

If you have Swan plants that are just stalks make sure you take care of them by frequent watering, plus feeding them with Yates Thrive natural seaweed tonic which reduces transplant shock in new plants, and aids recovery from stress conditions and improves plant resistance, eg: heat, frost, drought, pests and diseases.

Why is it called a swan plant?

The Swan plant gets its name from the seed pods that puff up and look like hairy swans. It is at this stage that they are picked and floated in water for Swan races! If the seed pods are left to mature on the bush, they will split open.

How do you keep wasps away from Swan plants?

You can grow your plants in pots, and move them to where the wasps can't find the plants or grow them under cover, such as a mosquito net. You could also purchase a 'caterpillar castle' from us – see them here. Even an old net curtain will help.

How do you keep wasps from killing monarch caterpillars?

A good way to deter wasps is by placing 5 Gallon Paint Strainers or Mosquito Netting over your milkweed. You can use tomato cages for extra support. This will keep them from snatching up your poor, unsuspecting caterpillars. This idea works best for potted milkweed plants.

Do ants kill monarch caterpillars?

Predators such as spiders and fire ants kill and eat monarch eggs and caterpillars. ... These predators are easy to see, but monarchs also suffer attacks from parasites, organisms that live inside the monarchs' bodies.

Do caterpillars like sun or shade?

4) It is recommended not to place your caterpillars/chrysalises homes in direct sunlight. It can be too hot for the caterpillars and chrysalises can dry up. That being said, we have raised caterpillars in front of a sunny window with the shade partially open.

What month do monarchs lay their eggs?

In March and April the eggs are laid on milkweed plants. They hatch into baby caterpillars, also called the larvae. It takes about four days for the eggs to hatch. Then the baby caterpillar doesn't do much more than eat the milkweed in order to grow.

What are the yellow bugs on my swan plant?

Nasty yellow aphids are an ongoing issue. They suck the sap from plants and can weaken them to the point of death. After trying various ways to control these critters, Mark is pleased to report that there is a spray that works. ... Leaving swan plants to seed down in corners around the garden is the easy part.

How do I keep butterflies off my plants?

Among them: netting. companion planting plants near or among brassicas and which repel the butterfly. These include aromatic herbs (lemon balm, sage, oregano, borage, hyssop, dill, rosemary) and/or high blossom flowers (tall marigold, calendula)

What do monarch butterfly eggs look like?

A monarch egg is white or off-white. It's ovoid in shape, and if you look very closely with a magnifying glass, you'll see vertical ridges along the sides. As the tiny larva inside develops, the egg will darken slightly in color before hatching in about 3 – 5 days.

Are swan plants perennial?

“Swan plants are perennials and will last a few years. Just give the stumps a few weeks to grow more leaves. Plant them in the garden for next year if you no longer have caterpillars.” ... The seed will give you new plants every spring and the monarchs will be delighted!”

How do you kill aphids on Swan plants?

First, collect caterpillars from the swan plant and put them in a sealed container with some swan plant leaves. Then spray the parts of the swan plant affected by aphids with Organic Super Spraying Oil. The oil kills the aphids by blocking their spiracles (breathing holes) and suffocating them.

What do you do with Swan plant seed pods?

When the seedpods have matured the seeds can be harvested and any floss or insects cleaned off. Once this has been done they can be folded up in a paper towel and sealed in a plastic snaplock bag excluding as much air as possible. After that they can be stored in the refrigerator until spring.

How many caterpillars does a swan plant produce?

An average swan plant of 30cm or 40cm would only feed one caterpillar. You need to have quite a few plants as spares, when your raising monarch caterpillars.

Can you pick up Monarch caterpillars?

It is safe for humans to hold and touch the Monarch caterpillar but it is not always safe for the caterpillar. When they are young/small they are quite delicate but as they grow it becomes safer for them to be handled. The one time that no caterpillar should be handled is when they are preparing to molt.

What do black and yellow caterpillars turn into?

Cinnabar moth Tyria jacobaeae

The caterpillars are jet black with yellow/orange stripes. The cinnabar moth can be found in open places from May to August.

What foods do caterpillars eat?

But, as many of you know, some caterpillars eat other plant parts, such as flower petals, stems, fruits, roots, pollen, and seeds. Some eat plants you might not imagine caterpillars would consume, like ferns and mosses. Their host plants don't have to be alive in all cases—some caterpillar species eat dead leaves.