China Aster: Planting Methods, Precautions and Propagation Methods
China aster (Callistephus chinensis) is something everyone is probably fairly familiar with, because it is especially common in our daily lives. The China aster is somewhat similar to the daisy, with small and delicate flowers in rich, colorful shades. It has extremely high ornamental value and has become a common ornamental flower for courtyards and parks. So how should China asters be grown? Let's find out together below!
Planting Methods for China Asters
1. During the seedling stage, transplant China asters 2 to 3 times. This can make the stems thick and sturdy, the plant shape full, and the fibrous roots dense, improving drought resistance, waterlogging resistance, and lodging resistance. For spring-sown seedlings, when they grow to 5 to 10 cm tall, around one month after sowing, the seedlings can be transplanted; around two months after sowing, they can be planted in their final position. During the seedling-raising period, water 2 to 3 times and loosen the soil once. After planting in their final position, water 2 to 3 times, then loosen the soil, and loosen the soil again after rain. Generally, topdressing and watering are carried out after planting in the final position and before flowering.
2. When planting China asters, pay attention to intertillage and soil moisture conservation, so as to avoid excessive watering or excessive rain making the soil too wet, which can cause the plants to grow leggy, lodge, or develop diseases. After buds appear at the tips of the branches, watering should be reduced to inhibit the elongation of the main branches and promote the growth of side branches. When the side branches grow to 2 to 3 cm, slightly increase the water again to make the plant shape full. Topdressing should mainly use phosphorus and potassium fertilizers. Do not practice continuous cropping, and it is also not suitable to sow seeds or plant seedlings in plots where other Asteraceae plants have been grown, so as to ensure healthy growth.
Precautions for Planting China Asters
1. Pay attention to moderate watering
Watering should be done according to actual conditions. The potting soil must not be too moist, otherwise it will cause China asters to grow leggy and lodge, and diseases may occur. Water accumulation caused by excessive watering can also make China asters rot at the roots and die.
2. Maintain long periods of light
China asters like sunlight. If the daily light duration reaches 15 hours, the plants will grow vigorously and be relatively short and sturdy, and the flowering period will also be earlier. On the contrary, if the sunshine duration is short, the plants will grow taller upward, and the flowering period will be relatively delayed.
So when growing them, place the plants in a spot where they can receive direct sunlight.
3. Prune the branches often
China asters do not need pinching, but in order to make the flowers on the main branches more prominent, you can regularly prune the side branches. Just keep 5—7 flower branches per plant.
Propagation Methods for China Asters
China asters are all propagated by seeds, and drilling sowing easily produces seedlings. Under conditions of 14-16 degrees, they sprout in 4 days and emerge in about 10 days. They are generally sown in spring, but can also be sown in summer and autumn. They can bloom 2-3 months after sowing. Sowing can be done in batches as needed to control the flowering period. For dwarf varieties, sow in a greenhouse in February-March or in a cold frame in March, and they can bloom in May-June; sow in the open field in April-May, and they bloom in July-August; sow in early July, and they can bloom at "National Day"; sow in early to mid-August, and the seedlings overwinter in a cold bed, blooming at "May Day" the following year. For medium varieties, sow in May-June, and they bloom in August-September; if sown in August, they need to overwinter in a cold bed and bloom in May-June the following year. For tall varieties, sowing can be done in both spring and summer, and they all bloom in autumn, but sowing in early summer is preferable. If sown too early, the plants will be tall and the leaves old at flowering time, with the lower leaves withered and yellow.
When Do China Asters Bloom
The flowering period of China asters is actually related to the sowing time. Generally, if sown in March——April, they can bloom in July——August. If sown in August——September, they can bloom at the end of the year.
In addition, different varieties of China asters will also have their flowering time affected by different sowing times.
Dwarf China asters: sow in February——March, and they bloom in May——June. Sow in April——May, and they bloom in July——August. Sow in July, and they can bloom at National Day. Sow in August, and after overwintering, they can bloom at May Day the following year.
Medium China asters: sow in May——June, and they can bloom in August——September. Sow in August, and they bloom in May——June the following year.
Tall China asters: sowing can be done in both spring and summer, and they bloom in autumn.
As mentioned above, China asters are not only beautiful, but also very easy to grow. Whether grown on a balcony as a potted decoration, or grown in a residential compound, courtyard, or park, when one small flower after another blooms, it is absolutely a beautiful scenic sight.