Devil's Beggarticks

Choosing Your Devil's Beggarticks: Hello, green thumb in the making! Devil's Beggarticks, also known as "Devil’s Beggarticks," is a hardy plant that's great for beginners. It’s often found growing wild, but you can start with seeds or young plants from a garden center. Look for seeds labeled Bidens frondosa if you're buying them.

Timing: This plant loves warm weather and can be started indoors about 6-8 weeks before the last frost date in your area. If you’re sowing directly outside, wait until after the danger of frost has passed and the soil has warmed up a bit.

Tools & Materials:

• Devil's Beggarticks seeds or young plants
• Pots or a patch of garden space
• Regular potting soil (it doesn’t need anything fancy)
• Watering can or hose
• Sunny to partially shaded spot

Tip: Devil's Beggarticks are pretty adaptable, so don’t stress too much about perfection—just make sure they have enough light!

If Starting with Seeds:

1. Fill small pots or seed trays with moist soil.
2. Sprinkle a few seeds on top of the soil in each pot (they’re tiny, so don’t bury them too deep—just press them lightly into the soil).
3. Water gently, keeping the soil damp but not soggy.
4. Place the pots in a bright, sunny spot indoors or under grow lights.
5. Germination usually takes about 7-14 days.
6. Once the seedlings have grown a couple of inches tall and the weather is warm enough, you can transplant them outdoors.

If Using Young Plants:

1. Choose a spot in your garden that gets plenty of sunlight or partial shade.
2. Dig a hole slightly larger than the root ball of the plant.
3. Place the plant in the hole, fill it with soil, and gently pat it down.
4. Water thoroughly after planting.

Spacing Tip: Space the plants about 12-18 inches apart to give them room to spread out. Devil's Beggarticks can get bushy, so they’ll need a little breathing room!

Sunlight Requirements: Devil's Beggarticks thrive in full sun to partial shade. They can handle a range of light conditions, but they’ll flower best if they get at least 4-6 hours of sunlight per day.

Watering Method:

• Keep the soil consistently moist, especially during dry spells.
• Water every 2-3 days, or more frequently in hot weather.
• Check the soil—if the top inch feels dry, it’s time to water.
• Water at the base of the plant rather than overhead to prevent mold or mildew on the leaves.

Fertilizing Tips:

• Devil's Beggarticks don’t need heavy feeding. A light application of an all-purpose fertilizer once a month should be enough.
• You can use compost or slow-release granular fertilizer if you prefer something more natural.

Pruning:

• To encourage bushier growth and more flowers, pinch back the tips of the stems when the plant is about 6 inches tall.
• Deadhead (remove) spent flowers regularly to keep the plant looking tidy and to promote new blooms.

Support: While Devil's Beggarticks don’t typically need staking, some taller varieties may benefit from a small stake or support if they start to lean.

When to Harvest Seeds: Devil's Beggarticks are known for their sticky seeds that attach to clothing and fur (hence the name “Beggarticks”). If you want to collect seeds for next year:

• Wait until the seed heads turn brown and dry on the plant.
• Carefully remove the seed heads and store them in a paper bag.
• Shake the bag to release the seeds, then store them in a cool, dry place until you’re ready to plant again.

Using the Plant: While Devil's Beggarticks are mostly grown for their cheerful yellow flowers and ability to attract pollinators, the leaves are sometimes used in herbal teas or as a garnish. Be sure to properly identify the plant before using it, though!

Storage: If you’ve harvested leaves or flowers for drying, hang them upside down in a cool, dark place. Once dried, store them in an airtight container.

Tip: Devil's Beggarticks are annuals, meaning they complete their life cycle in one growing season. Collecting seeds will ensure you have plants for the next year!

Q: My Devil's Beggarticks are getting too leggy. What should I do?

A: Leggy plants usually mean they’re not getting enough sunlight. Try moving them to a sunnier location or pruning them back to encourage bushier growth.

Q: Do Devil's Beggarticks attract any helpful insects?

A: Yes! They’re great for attracting bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. That’s one reason they’re a favorite in pollinator gardens.

Q: Can Devil's Beggarticks spread too much?

A: They can self-seed quite readily, so if you don’t want them to spread, remove the seed heads before they drop seeds. Alternatively, you can let them reseed naturally if you like having them pop up around your garden.

Q: Are Devil's Beggarticks invasive?

A: While they can spread easily, they’re not considered highly invasive. Just keep an eye on their growth and remove unwanted seedlings if they appear where you don’t want them.

Q: My Devil's Beggarticks aren’t flowering. What could be wrong?

A: Lack of flowers might be due to insufficient sunlight or over-fertilization. Cut back on fertilizer and make sure they’re getting enough sun (at least 4-6 hours a day).

Q: How do I control pests on my Devil's Beggarticks?

A: These plants are pretty tough, but if you notice aphids or other small pests, you can spray them off with a strong stream of water or use an organic insecticidal soap.