Milkweed, cutting back advice

[thomas.r.silverman]

The monarch caterpillar on my milkweed has sadly vanished in the night, even with the abundance of bird netting around the plant.

Now I'm left with a rather sad looking twiggy plant, sporting a few sparse leaves. Some new leaf growth showing too though.

Shall I cut back at all? If so how much, and is this a good time of year to do so?

Thanks,
Thomas.

East Los Angeles.

 

[DirtMechanic]

Do not cut it if the sap still runs.

 

[thomas.r.silverman]

Should I cut a piece off to find out about the sap?

 

[DirtMechanic]

No. It will die back and collapse as the lifeforce moves back into the roots at the end of the cycle.

 

[roadrunner]

From the picture above, they look very much alive; I never cut back until they are completely dead, those still have life.

 

[thomas.r.silverman]

From the picture above, they look very much alive; I never cut back until they are completely dead, those still have life.

Ok great, thanks for the help