Description of Chinese aster varieties and cultivation features
Flower lovers do not forget asters that are dear to their hearts. Now their collection is complemented by new varieties. Breeders have improved the characteristics: frost resistance, resistance to diseases, pests - this is the Chinese garden aster. The range of colors captivates, bewitches even people who are indifferent to colors. One bush can have 40 or more peduncles with different shades. This makes the bush majestic, unsurpassed.
Description and characteristics of the Chinese aster
The Chinese aster has a powerful root system, but it does not go deep. The superficial location of the root makes it possible to painlessly separate some of the flowers for reproduction, cutting. The bush can be spreading and pyramidal in shape.
The abundance of colors does not belong to the Chinese aster - these are different varieties. Among them there are not only ordinary tones: white, red, yellow, but there are also such colors as blue, purple, lilac. This is rare for other colors.
There are specimens with a double color, when there is one shade in the center, borders it with another or cuts the flower into parts with shades.
Inflorescences can be spherical, round, flattened. Diameter - miniature, medium, large. The growth of the bush varies from 20 to 90 centimeters. They are grown as annuals and biennials, by seed, seedling method. Chinese aster takes root in all regions.
Popular varieties
Chinese aster comes in many varieties. Conventionally, they can be divided by height (in centimeters):
- dwarf - 20;
- undersized - 40;
- medium-sized - 65;
- giant - 90.
By the shape of the bush:
- spreading;
- pyramidal;
- columnar;
- wide dense;
- oval.
And also by flowering time, by the structure of the bush, by the size of the inflorescences. A popular variety is a mixture of cut varieties. Columnar bush, up to 70 centimeters high. The flowers are large, double, of various shades.
Serenade
Japanese breeders have bred Astra Serenada from the Matsumoto series. Grown as an annual. Each new season, a different planting site is chosen to avoid fusarium disease. The plant loves sunny areas.
Serenade grows as a shrub, with many inflorescences on each stem. Semi-double flowers, 3 centimeters in diameter, rise on high peduncles. The range of colors - from white to burgundy shades, there are blue specimens. In the cut, they do not lose their original appearance for 2 weeks.
The Dragon
The tall pyramidal bush is striking in its grandeur.On the stem there are large balls with curled ligulate petals. Outwardly, the Dragon variety is similar to garden chrysanthemums. Bright flowers with rainbow hues.
Balun
The Balun variety is formed by a pyramidal bush. The plant stretches up to 60 centimeters. Amazing large spherical inflorescences up to 15 centimeters in diameter. Terry flowers. The petals fit together so tightly that rain does not get inside. Up to 7 peduncles appear on each bush.
A princess
The Princess variety grows as an extensive bush. Height - 75 centimeters. The flowers range in diameter from 9 to 13 centimeters. The petals are tubular, collected in balls. Shades of pastel colors emphasize the delicate image of the plant.
old lock
A very small pyramidal bush, 70 centimeters high. It strikes with a variety of peduncles - up to 40 pieces. Inflorescences of delicate shades: blue, pink, lilac, milky. The diameter of the balls is 10 centimeters. The petals curl inward.
Pompons
The shape of the bush is columnar. Height - 60 centimeters. Variety Pomponchiki with round flattened inflorescences. Flowers - up to 8 centimeters in diameter, scattered over the bush in the amount of 30 pieces. The incredible color of the buds will decorate any flower bed, flower garden. Looks beautiful in the cut. Retain odor and appearance for 2 weeks.
Reproduction of Chinese asters
Flowers are grown by seed, seedling method. The easiest method is with bushes. To do this, dig in the root, separate part of the bush. They are transplanted to another place.
Growing flowers
The seeds are planted in open ground in three stages. But flowers will appear only 3 months after germination. Seedling propagation will speed up flowering. After 1.5 months, the buds will open.
Landing dates
In open ground, planting material is sown after the ground warms up, and frosts are not expected. In Central Russia, this period falls in April, May.
Ground sowing is also carried out in late autumn - after November 15, then you can sow from December to February. The soil and grooves are prepared in advance. Sowing seeds for seedlings at home begins in early March.
Seed preparation
The planting material loses its germination after 2 years by 50 percent. Better to choose fresh seeds from the last harvest. Choose a planting site ahead of time so you know what height of the variety to expect. If a flower bed is planted, harmonious colors matter.
Seeds are prepared in two ways:
- Germination. A weak solution of potassium permanganate is prepared, a napkin is moistened and the seeds are wrapped. After a week, sprouts will appear. Moisten the napkin periodically to keep the seeds from drying out.
- Soak. For a day, the planting material is dipped into the same solution.
Potassium permanganate protects flowers from infectious diseases.
Planting seeds for seedlings and caring for them
You can sow planting material in peat pots, containers. If the second option is used, a dive will be required. The soil for seedlings is chosen nutritious: sod land, sand 3: 1. Vermiculite is added for breathability. Self-prepared soil is disinfected.
The seeds are sown to a depth of 1 centimeter, covered with a layer of sand. Spill the soil abundantly and cover the container with a film. The seedlings are kept at a temperature of 23 degrees. Seedlings will appear in 7-10 days.
The shelter is removed, the air temperature is reduced by 5 degrees. Re-watering is carried out after seed germination. Provide lighting for seedlings - 12 hours. If the seeds are planted in boxes, if there are 2 leaves, a pick is made.
After 10 days, top dressing is applied with complex micronutrient fertilizers. When 4 leaves are formed, re-feeding is applied. Before planting in open ground, the seedlings are hardened. Start with 30 minutes, gradually increase the time.
Transplanting flowers in open ground
In early June, seedlings are sent to the open ground.
- Prepare the soil in advance.
- In the fall, they dig up the earth on a shovel bayonet and bring in humus.
- In the spring the land is cultivated and mineral fertilizers are added.
- Chinese aster prefers neutral soil. Test and adjust soil response.
- Prepare holes and water abundantly.
Peat cups are planted in the holes and pressed with earth. At the same time, they deepen it by 2 centimeters lower than the glass, the overgrown seedlings are deepened by 5.
Care process
After planting in open ground, the plant needs: watering, loosening, feeding. And also the fight against weeds, diseases, pests.
Top dressing and watering
In dry summers, watering is carried out plentiful, but rarely. For each square meter, 3 buckets of water are poured. In the first top dressing after planting in the ground, mineral fertilizers are applied. The second top dressing is done with potash-phosphorus fertilizers, during the period of active flowering.
Loosening and mulching
After each watering, when the earth is dry, the soil is loosened. Since the root system is close to the surface, loosening should not be carried out deeper than 5 centimeters. Remove weeds. To retain moisture and prevent weed growth, the soil is mulched.
Preparing for winter
The Chinese aster endures the winter without shelter. In the northern regions, where frosts exceed 40 degrees, it is still worthwhile to play it safe. The bush is cut and covered with leaves, humus. Weathered peat is used.
Various diseases and pests
Aster can become infected with fusarium. To prevent this from happening, you should fulfill some requirements for agricultural technology:
- change the landing site every year;
- do not use compost, replace with humus;
- give free air access to the bushes - when planting, the variety is taken into account in growth and bushiness;
- do not fill the soil.
If the disease struck, get rid of the bush and burn it.Slugs, kidney aphids can attack the aster. It is possible to prevent the invasion of aphids in advance - the seedlings are treated with Chlorophos for preventive purposes. Metaldehyde is used in the fight against slugs.
Possible growing errors
Prudent florists cover flowers with spruce branches for the winter. Perhaps this is good for other plants. But asters, from the presence of conifers nearby, can get sick with rust.
Astra prefers soil with a neutral reaction. Do not rush to plant seedlings in any soil. Take a clod of earth and divide it into 2 parts. Pour vinegar if there is a reaction, and bubbles will appear - the soil is what you need - neutral; no - sour. If the soil is acidic, add dolomite flour or lime.
