Astra acicular tall MIX

Callistephus chinensis - Needle-shaped MIX

This very popular annual originates from Asia. Their flowers resemble chrysanthemum blooms. They create compact plants, very dense, which grow to a height of 20 - 80 cm depending on the cultivar. Blooms from July until frost. Flower colors range from white and yellow through pink and purple to blue and almost black. Flowers come in various forms - needle-shaped, single, double. According to flower shape, asters are divided into pompon-flowered, daisy-flowered, needle-shaped, peony-flowered and chrysanthemum-flowered. Colors can be single or multi-colored.

In the garden, these plants look excellent as part of borders, beds or planted in containers. In mixed beds they complement ornamental grasses, Zinnias or Rudbeckias beautifully. They are also very suitable for cutting as vase flowers.

From the many shapes and sizes of plants that Aster breeding has brought, everyone will find something for their garden!

How to Grow Asters

• Plants require rich, moist, well-drained soils. Soil must never be permanently wet, plants are susceptible to root rot. They thrive in full sun to partial shade. The planting location should be sheltered from wind. Plants often break in strong winds. Some varieties suffer from fungal diseases, so we do not recommend planting plants in the same location repeatedly. Plants will bloom again if we remove spent flowers promptly.

• Sow seeds in sterile substrate. Avoid sowing too densely. Sow seeds in March. Sow seeds on the substrate surface or cover them only slightly. At a temperature of 18°C they will germinate in seven to ten days. Then transplant seedlings and maintain temperature at 15°C. Keep plants in a bright location. After six weeks, seedlings are ready for planting in the garden. Before actual planting, gradually harden them off.

• Plants prefer rather calcareous soil. Well-drained, warm. Humus-rich. Ideal pH 5.1 to 7.5.

• Apply fertilizer first in spring, during the growth period. Use rather nitrogen-based fertilizers. At the end of summer, during flowering, add potassium fertilizer. Fertilize every 14 days. Do not apply direct organic fertilization.

• Plants are susceptible to fungal and viral diseases. They are attacked by pests.

  Ensure annual rotation of location due to aster susceptibility to Fusarium fungi. Fusarium wilt, called aster wilt, manifests in already grown specimens by wilting and subsequent death. Do not put dried asters in compost! Always burn them! Treat growing substrate with Fundazol 50 WP (0.1%).

  Aster yellows phytoplasma manifests as plant yellowing, growth cessation, leaves are small and often necrotic. Flower buds are usually closed and deformed. Flowers are stunted, poorly colored and gradually turn completely green. Protection consists of eliminating infected plants and planting healthy seedlings. This disease is transmitted by sucking pests - leafhoppers.

  Plants are also attacked by aphids. Use chemical protection - insecticide.