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Fast-growing wildfire burns 100 homes in Weed, Calif. ... Weed residents begin to assess damage as crews make progress against flames ... CALENDAR ... Fast-growing wildfire burns 100 homes in Weed, Calif. ... QUILLS & QUEUES Garden serves up a feast fit for monarchs By Angela Decker For the Daily Tidings DailyTidings.com By Angela Decker For the Daily Tidings Posted Sep. 11, 2014 @ 6:02 pm Updated Sep 12, 2014 at 10:42 AM By Angela Decker For the Daily Tidings Posted Sep. 11, 2014 @ 6:02 pm Updated Sep 12, 2014 at 10:42 AM » Social News The majestic monarch butterfly, with its distinctive orange, white and black wings, is in serious decline, but home gardeners can be powerful allies in the fight to save these royal insects from extinction. Each year, monarchs make an arduous journey across North America from their summer breeding areas in Canada and the U.S., to reach their overwintering grounds in Southern California and Mexico. The butterflies lay their eggs exclusively on the leaves of the milkweed plant, which the caterpillars will eat once they hatch. During their migration, they feed on nectar, lay eggs and rest on the milkweed leaves. Unfortunately, due to milkweed habitat loss from development, droughts and pesticides, experts estimate the monarch population on the West Coast has declined by nearly 90 percent in the past decade. When Jacqueline Milikien of Ashland learned about the monarchs' plight she contacted the conservation organization MonarchWatch.org and ordered a seed kit to establish a habitat, which Monarch Watch calls a “waystation.” The seed kit, which costs about $16, contains seeds for plants the butterflies need for food, shelter and reproduction. “The kit is great,” said Milikien. “It comes with milkweed seeds for our region and seeds for other plants that attract butterflies. Plus there's a brochure with planting tips.” Milkweed is fairly hardy and can grow in containers, though gardeners must take care to avoid sap from the plant, which is toxic. “It's simple,” said Milikien. “Milkweed is easy to care for. Add some nectar plants like asters or cone flowers and wait for the monarchs to come.” Milikien planted her garden in the spring and by midsummer it was thriving. She has spotted several monarchs and even came across some caterpillars. To protect the caterpillars from predators, she brought them inside her home. Some recently reached the pupae stage, where they form a hard chrysalis before maturing into a butterfly. “I've got three chrysalis at the moment. It has been fascinating to watch them. I feel like I did in kindergarten watching them grow and change. It's amazing,” she said. She expects the butterflies to emerge in about a week or two. Milikien says she will then release them to fly south for the winter. “You don't have to bring the caterpillars indoors,” she said. “But if you do bring them inside, add a few sprigs of milkweed and some twigs so the pupae have something sturdy to cling to. It's such fun for kids, too,” she added. In addition to several butterfly friendly plants Monarch Watch recommends, such as buttonbush and salvia, Milikien planted four types of milkweed in a small section of her yard, including a broad-leaf variety called showy milkweed or speciosa, which is native to the region, and a tuberosa milkweed known as butterfly bush. “There are several varieties that grow well in Southern Oregon,” said Milikien. “Most don't need a lot of water, but when watering it's important to use a drip system rather than a sprinkler since the butterfly eggs and caterpillars don't tolerate water very well,” she added. Butterfly habitat can be as simple as an informal scatter garden or a certified Monarch Waystation such as Milikien's. She received an official waystation habitat sign for her garden and MonarchWatch.org included her garden in its online listing of Monarch Waystations around the world. “I'd love it if more people planted Monarch habitats next spring,” said Milikien. “You don't need a lot of space or money or time. And it's an easy way to make a difference.” For information on establishing a Monarch waystation, visit www.MonarchWatch.org or www.MyMonarchGuide.com . To purchase native milkweed seeds, contact Linda Kappen with the Applegate School Butterfly Habitat via email at [email protected]. Angela Decker is a freelance writer in Ashland and can be reached at [email protected]. Angela Decker is a freelance writer in Ashland and can be reached at [email protected]. By Angela Decker For the Daily Tidings DailyTidings.com By Angela Decker For the Daily Tidings Posted Sep. 11, 2014 @ 6:02 pm Updated Sep 12, 2014 at 10:42 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with DailyTidings.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Alerts Email alerts RSS feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2014 Local Media Group, Inc. 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