A Detailed Guide to Sowing and Propagating Aster Seeds
The aster is a very beautiful flowering plant, with brilliant and colorful blooms and an elegant, attractive flower shape, deeply loved and sought after by gardening enthusiasts. Although everyone loves asters very much, few people understand how to grow them. Below, the editor will explain in detail how to grow asters, so that gardening enthusiasts can also grow exquisite and beautiful asters at home!
How to Sow Aster Seeds
When sowing aster seeds, you can insert the seeds one by one into the soil with the pointed end facing down (of course, not too deep, 1mm is enough, or slightly exposed is also fine), because the root grows from the pointed end, so the seed can emerge from the soil more easily, and the root will grow relatively firmly. Aster seeds are sown from November to April of the following year, and the flowering time can range from April to August. Each gram of aster seeds contains 420-430 seeds, the suitable germination temperature is 18-21 degrees C, and germination occurs 7-21 days after sowing. The seedlings grow rapidly, so thinning should be done in time. After the aster seedlings emerge, transplant once after 15-20 days, and after 40-45 days of growth, plant them in pots, commonly using 10-12 cm pots. During the growing period, fertilize once every ten days. After potting, apply phosphorus and potassium fertilizer once more after 45-80 days.
Aster Propagation Methods
1. Asters are all propagated by seeds, and drilling is easy to emerge. Under 14-16 degrees C conditions, they germinate in 4 days and emerge in about 10 days. Generally, they are mostly sown in spring, but can also be sown in summer and autumn. They can bloom 2-3 months after sowing, and sowing can be done in batches according to needs to control the flowering period.
2. Dwarf aster varieties sown in greenhouses from February to March, or sown in cold frames in March, can bloom in May-June; sown in open fields from April to May, they bloom in July-August; sown in early July, they can bloom on “National Day”; sown in early to mid-August, the seedlings overwinter in cold frames and bloom on “May Day” of the following year.
3. Medium aster varieties sown from May to June bloom in August-September; sown in August, they need cold frames to overwinter and bloom in May-June of the following year. Tall varieties can be sown in both spring and summer, all blooming in autumn.
Sowing Time for Asters
The sowing time for asters is determined according to different varieties. The sowing time for the Asteroid series is generally from November to April of the following year, and flowering occurs from April to August. They can also be sown in batches according to needs to control the flowering period.
Dwarf varieties sown in greenhouses from February to March, or sown in cold frames in March, can bloom in May-June; sown in open fields from April to May, they bloom in July-August; sown in early to mid-July, they can bloom on “National Day”; sown in early to mid-August, the seedlings overwinter in cold frames and bloom on “May Day” of the following year.
Medium varieties sown from May to June bloom in August-September; sown in August, they need cold frames to overwinter and bloom in May-June of the following year.
Tall varieties can be sown in both spring and summer, all blooming in autumn, but sowing in early summer is preferable.
Precautions for Growing Asters
1. Pay attention to moderate watering
Watering should be done according to actual conditions. The potting soil should not be too moist, otherwise it will cause asters to grow leggy and lodge, and diseases may occur. Excessive watering that causes water accumulation will also make asters rot at the roots and die.
2. Maintain long hours of light
Asters like sunlight. If the daily light duration reaches 15 hours, the plants will grow vigorously, be relatively short and sturdy, and the flowering period will also be earlier. On the contrary, if the sunshine time is short, the plants will grow taller upward, and the flowering period will be relatively delayed.
Therefore, when growing them, place the plants in a location that can receive direct sunlight.
3. Frequently prune the branches
Asters do not need pinching, but in order to make the flowers on the main branch more prominent, you can frequently prune the side branches, keeping 5-7 flowering branches per plant.
Through the above content, I believe everyone has gained some understanding of how to grow asters. In fact, if you want to experience the growing process, buying seeds and sowing them yourself will give you a greater sense of accomplishment, but if you directly buy small potted plants to grow at home, you can see the beautiful aster flowers more quickly!