The Mystery of the Missing Millions of Majestic Monarchs

Many moons ago, there were millions of majestic monarchs here in the US. But now millions of monarchs are missing. Why? Can you master (solve) this mystery? Something else is missing that monarchs need very much. What is it?

Millions of milkweed flowers are missing. And milkweed matters most to monarchs. You see, monarch babies (caterpillars) have a Mono-Menu... they only munch on milkweed. Millions of mini monarchs (monarch caterpillars) must munch on millions of milkweed leaves to metamorphosize into millions of majestic and mighty monarchs who can migrate the many miles from Michigan to Mexico, or from Montana all the way to Monterey or Mission Bay.

Where did all the milkweed flowers go? Why are they missing? Well, when we made our modern metropolises, we removed the milkweed and forgot to replant it. Sadly, no milkweed flowers mean no monarchs.

I miss the millions of majestic monarchs! Do you? Can you help bring the monarchs back again? Yes! You can make a mini monarch meadow by planting some milkweed flowers in your garden. More milkweed means more monarchs; the more, the merrier! And that’s no myth.

Monarchs are magnificent and magical, but minus a mouth they are mute, so they need a mouthpiece to make this mission known. My main message: Let’s mend our mistake by making many mini meadows of monarch milkweed flowers in our yards. (It’s easier done than said.)

In the middle of a modern metropolis, most can easily make a mobile milkweed meadow for monarchs. The method is not hard to master. I put one potted milkweed flower in my yard. Within minutes, a mama monarch meandered to my milkweed and laid her eggs on it! Did I mention that milkweed is simply a mighty monarch magnet? Monarchs can smell milkweed from many miles away and will make a move into their new monarch motel. But don't mourn when your milkweed is munched down to bare stalks. It won't mind a bit; it will quickly grow more leaves within a month, making more marvelous meals for mariposas to masticate with their mandibles. Mmm!

Observing my first tiny monarch mentor made my mental muscles muse the marvel of their mesmerizing metamorphosis from egg to caterpillar to chrysalis to butterfly, all within one month. I mumbled to myself (through my muffled mask) that this was my moment to finally make my very own monarch meadow. Maybe my message will motivate many more to make a mini milkweed meadow for mama monarchs to lay their eggs on.

Don’t miss this moment to master the mystery of the missing majestic and magical monarchs. Please join Monarch Meadows of Murrieta, Menifee, Mission Viejo (and other surrounding cities that do not begin with M) by planting a mini monarch milkweed meadow this month! This massive movement toward mindful milkweed management will make mesmerizing monarch memories for yourself and your loved ones for many more moons to come.

Muchas gracias,

Lura Press

Press Butterfly Gardens

38105 Via Taffia

Murrieta, CA 92563

LuraPress@gmail.com

(951) 218-9776

Press Butterfly Gardens of Murrieta grows and sells pesticide-free milkweed flowers ($10 for 1/2 gal.) and seedlings ($5 for 4-6" plant.)

Please check out my website PressButterflyGardens.com for more information, photos, and a link to my free 1-hour online class on how to attract monarch butterflies to your yard.