Content
Asters... This unpretentious and very popular flower is always associated with September 1, when thousands of smart schoolchildren with bouquets go to the assembly dedicated to the Day of Knowledge. Almost every flower bed is decorated with these bright and at the same time simple flowers. Why do gardeners love asters so much? What planting and care rules must be followed? Is it possible to plant asters in the ground with seeds? These and many other questions will be covered in this article.
Brief description of the plant
Translated from Latin, “Astra” means “star”. This sounding name is given to herbaceous plants that belong to the Asteraceae (Asteraceae) family. This group includes both annual and perennial flowers. The birthplace of flowers is China.
Asters are unpretentious, not picky about the composition of the soil (with the exception of varietal flowers), and can easily tolerate slight drops in temperature. Even a novice gardener can plant aster seeds in open ground in spring or autumn.
A popular type of annual flower is known as the Chinese or garden aster. A brief description of the colors is as follows:
- Stems: erect, simple, bushy abundantly and have a bright green color. Some varieties have dark red stems.
- Leaves: green, petiolate, toothed, oval.
- Root system: fibrous, powerful, strong, with a large number of lateral roots. Aster easily tolerates minor damage to the roots during diving or replanting.
- Flowers: simple, basket-shaped inflorescences.
- Fruit: achene.
The flowering time of flowers depends on the variety, as well as the time of planting. The formation of the first buds can be noticed already 80-110 days after sowing the aster seeds.
The height of the flowers depends on the variety and varies from 20 cm to 90 cm. The flower basket of some varieties of asters reaches 12-15 cm in diameter. The flowers are distinguished by a rich palette of colors - from white, light blue and light pink, to deep purple, lilac, dark red, and blue tones. Flower and petal shapes vary depending on the variety.
Aster seeds remain viable for 2-3 years. But often many gardeners note that even for two-year-old seeds, the germination rate is almost halved. Therefore, it is better to choose flower seeds in strictly specialized stores and carefully look at the expiration date.
In the photo you can see what aster seeds look like. Outwardly, they are somewhat reminiscent of very small sunflower seeds, only their color ranges from light brown to dark brown, depending on the variety. However, during the collection period, the seeds are more reminiscent of the well-known dandelion seeds, since they have fluff at one end.
Asters are light-loving plants. They can be grown not only in flower beds and flower beds, but also on loggias and balconies, in flowerpots and containers.
Classification
At the moment, more than four thousand varieties of asters are known. Some of them are very similar to chrysanthemums, peonies, daisies, and other flowers. Over the years, breeders have made many attempts to introduce a strict classification of the flowers of the Astrov family, but to this day there is no exact systematization.
According to the height of the plants, they are divided into tall, medium and short. According to the flowering period - summer-blooming and autumn-blooming. According to the size of flower baskets - large-flowered and small-flowered.
The most complete picture of asters can be given by systematization by type of inflorescence. In addition to the popular simple ones, there are the following types of flowers:
- coronoids;
- straight-flowered, curly;
- hemispherical;
- pompons;
- radial;
- semi-double, terry, non-double;
- spherical;
- imbricated.
Some varieties and varieties of flowers
The inimitable beauty of flowers, the variety of colors, the variety of shapes of flower baskets is the true reason for the love of flower growers for asters. It is simply impossible to talk about all varieties and varieties of flowers in one article. Below in the photo you can see several of the most striking representatives of the Astrov family.
Large blue chrysanthemum
Royal apple blossom
Giant rays, mixture
Pompom, Blue Moon (available in several colors)
Peach bouquet
Needle-shaped, pink-cream Naina
Needle-claw Jewel Amethyst
Aster novobelgica White
Blueberry donut
Blueberry donut
And what about such magnificent varieties as “Dumpling, Strawberries with Cream”, a series of varieties of different colors “Russian Size”, a series of “Dragon Select”, “Gray Lady”, “Black Diamond”, “Merlin” and many others! These inimitable flowers will turn your flower garden into a garden of Eden.
Growing methods
Garden asters are grown in two ways - seedlings and non-seedlings. With the help of seedlings, flowers are grown mainly in regions with a harsh climate, when plants have to be transplanted into open ground in late May - early June.
Asters are also grown by seedling method, wanting to ensure longer flowering. Transplantation of flower seedlings into open ground is carried out at regular intervals, 7-10 days, and then the plants will bloom for a long time, replacing each other.
You can immediately sow asters in open ground with seeds in the southern and central regions, where the climate is much milder. In this case, flowering will occur a week and a half earlier than when grown by seedlings.
Seedling method
Aster seeds are planted for seedlings in early to mid-April. When determining the optimal planting time, you need to focus on the flowering period and the approximate date of transplanting the seedlings into open ground. The instructions for each variety will tell you a more precise date.
The rules for planting aster seeds for seedlings are practically no different from traditional events and are familiar to every gardener:
- in a container with holes, place a drainage layer and soil 3/4 of the total volume;
- Place flower seeds on the surface at a distance of 1.5-2 cm;
- the top layer of soil or sand should not exceed 0.6-0.8 cm;
- moisten the plantings and cover with film, place in a warm place until the first shoots appear.
Regularly ventilate containers with flower seedlings and moisten as necessary. When shoots appear, remove the film and move the containers to a bright windowsill.
Aster seedlings should be picked at the stage of 2-3 true leaves. You can replant flowers in open ground in mid-to-late May. The minimum distance between seedlings depends on the variety, on average from 20 cm to 50 cm.
If there is a threat of frost, cover future flower beds with film or lutrasil.
Seedless growing method
Aster seeds are planted in open ground using the seedless method both in spring and autumn. Moreover, when growing flowers using this method, plants are more resistant to low temperatures and many diseases. The reason for increased resistance is the natural stratification of seeds.
Before sowing asters in open ground with seeds, you need to take care in advance of choosing and preparing the site. All varieties and types of flowers of the Astrov family are very fond of bright, sunny places blown by a light wind.You should not plant asters in drafts or areas where piercing winds blow.
The soil for growing asters should be light, loose, and fertile. If necessary, before planting flowers, you can add wood ash, sand, compost or humus.
Pre-winter sowing
Pre-winter sowing of aster seeds in open ground is carried out in late autumn so that they do not have time to germinate. With this method of planting, flowers grow more resistant to temperature changes. However, not all varieties of asters can be sown in open ground in late autumn. So before planting, pay attention to the recommendations on the packaging.
At the end of September - beginning of October, the area intended for sowing aster in open ground must be carefully dug up. You can start planting flowers no earlier than November 10th. In the southern regions, aster seeds are sown after November 20. The first frost is a sign of the optimal time for sowing.
In the prepared area, make furrows 2-3 cm deep. Aster seeds are laid out in increments of 2-3 cm. Plantings should be mulched with peat, humus or peat compost. Flowers do not need a too thick layer of mulch; 3-4 cm will be quite enough. There is no need to soak aster seeds before planting, germinate the seeds or water the beds after sowing, otherwise all the seed material will die.
With the onset of spring, you will only need to loosen the soil and plant the asters in accordance with the recommended pattern.
Spring sowing
If you decide to sow aster seeds in open ground in the spring, it is advisable to prepare the site for the future flower bed in the fall.Apply fertilizer in the form of compost or humus and dig the area to the depth of a spade bayonet.
In the spring, 2-3 weeks before planting flowers, superphosphates, ammonium sulfate and potassium salt are added to the soil at the rate of 1 m² - 30 g, 15 g, 20 g. Dig up the area again and leave for a while for the soil to shrink.
You can sow aster seeds in open ground at the end of April - beginning of May, when the air warms up to +10˚С +12˚С. These deadlines are relevant for residents of the central regions. In areas where spring comes a little later, the sowing date is shifted by 2 weeks. That is, you can start planting flowers in early - mid-May.
Immediately before sowing asters in open ground, you need to moisten and remove all weeds. Next you have to proceed as follows:
- make even, neat grooves 2-3 cm deep at a distance of 15-20 cm from each other;
- place flower seeds every 2-2.5 cm;
- sprinkle the aster seeds with a thin layer of dry soil 1-2 cm thick;
- after a couple of days, irrigate the flower beds with warm water from a watering can with a fine sieve;
- after 1.5-2 weeks you can feed the flowers with nitrogen-based fertilizers for the first time.
It is advisable to cover the ridges with film or lutrasil until the first, green shoots appear. This usually happens 10-12 days after sowing. Plantings especially need shelter if there is a threat of frost.
After the seedlings grow a little and 2-3 pairs of leaves appear on them, the seedlings need to be thinned out. The optimal distance between flowers is 15-20 cm.
But do not rush to throw away those flower seedlings that have to be removed. Thin the beds with a small spatula or spoon. Carefully dig up the excess sprouts and plant the asters in open ground in another place. Flowers tolerate transplantation relatively calmly, practically do not get sick and are quickly accepted.
Flower care
Further care of the sown asters consists of performing the usual activities, such as watering, weeding, loosening, hilling and fertilizing.
Asters need to be watered as needed. They are equally critical to both dry and waterlogged soil. During drought, flowers stop growing, foliage turns pale, and inflorescences lose their bright color. Overmoistening can cause the occurrence and spread of various fungal diseases.
Loosening flower beds must be done the next day after watering or after rain. This procedure improves air exchange, and asters grow much faster. However, remember that you should not loosen the soil too deeply - you can damage the root system. A depth of 6-8 cm will be quite enough.
As soon as the first signs of branching of the main stem appear, asters need to be hilled to a height of 7-8 cm. This event accelerates root growth and promotes active growth and development of green mass.
Asters are fed in open ground three times during the season. Primary fertilizing is carried out 1.5-2 weeks after emergence of seedlings with nitrogen fertilizers.
Flowers need to be fertilized a second time when the first buds begin to form on the plants.This time, feed the plantings with mineral supplements based on superphosphate and potassium. Feed the asters with the same complex fertilizer at the beginning of flowering.
What problems may arise when growing flowers?
Despite the fact that asters are considered unpretentious and undemanding flowers, when growing them, gardeners sometimes encounter some problems:
- Aster seeds do not germinate within 1.5-2 weeks. The first shoots should appear in 7-10 days. The answers to the questions of why asters do not sprout and what to do in this case are very simple. The first reason may be non-compliance with the rules for planting flowers, in particular regarding the quality of the soil. The second is low-quality planting material. In both cases, re-sow the aster seeds, following all recommendations.
- Asters can get fusarium. Most often, the source of the disease is flower precursors. You cannot sow asters in open ground after nightshades, gladioli, carnations, and tulips. They leave pathogens in the soil.
- An incomplete inflorescence is a kind of signal about an attack on asters by a spider mite.
- Scanty, dim flowering signals a lack of nutrients in the soil. Feed the flowers and this problem will disappear.
In general, by following the recommendations regarding planting aster seeds in open ground and caring for flowers, you can avoid some complications.
Diseases and pests
Asters grown in open ground are susceptible to the following fungal diseases:
- gray rot;
- fusarium;
- blackleg;
- verticellosis.
The causes of diseases are non-compliance with the recommended planting scheme, excess moisture in the soil, violation of the rules for planting and caring for asters.
To avoid damage to flowers, you need to follow the recommendations of experienced flower growers regarding planting schemes and crop rotation, and also carry out preventive treatments in a timely manner.
Occasionally, flowers can be affected by viral diseases - jaundice or cucumber mosaic. These diseases are dangerous because they are the main cause of aphids.
Aphids most often attack young flowers. The most vulnerable are seedlings in the phase of 2-4 true leaves. The first sign of the appearance of insects is deformation and wrinkling of the leaves. Therefore, for prevention, asters need to be treated with intavir, karbofos or depis.
But besides aphids, asters are often attacked by other pests:
- spider mite;
- meadow bug;
- tobacco thrips;
- sunflower moth.
At the first signs of pests appearing on flowers, you should immediately begin active control using insecticides.
An experienced gardener will tell you and show you how to sow asters with seeds in open ground.
Conclusion
Most gardeners grow asters out of habit in seedlings. But it’s much easier to sow aster seeds in open ground. With the seedless planting method, you can avoid unnecessary hassle with growing flower seedlings, picking them and transplanting them into a flowerbed, and save space on the windowsill. After all, it is at the beginning of spring that every centimeter of area is occupied by vegetable seedlings.With minimal effort, by autumn your flower beds will be decorated with colorful, inimitable flowers.
