Growing, planting and caring for asters in open ground

The decoration of the garden is a blooming flower bed. A gardener is looking for answers on how to properly plant and care for aster in open ground. There won’t be any particular difficulties; even a beginner can handle it. Not much is required, just select planting material, dig a bed and plant seeds.

Selection of seeds for open ground

Aster decorates the garden of a large number of summer residents and gardeners. Some flower lovers grow it on the balcony. The choice of variety is important when deciding to plant. It is necessary to determine exactly for what purpose the flower is grown. If for bouquets, choose tall species. If you want to decorate an area, then take varieties with a short stem.

The summer resident has a wide range of shades and sizes of bushes to choose from. Planting material can be purchased in stores or collected independently. The second option is a win-win. The summer resident gets exactly what he wanted to grow.

The difference between planting perennial and annual aster in open ground

Annual or perennial plants are planted in open ground in early spring or autumn. The bed is prepared in advance, dug up with mineral fertilizers and grooves are formed. Annual representatives bloom in the same year, perennials bloom a year later.

When planting perennial members of the family, only fresh planting material is used. A annual aster maybe 1-2 years old. There are no particularly critical differences; it is necessary to follow the technology and fulfill agrotechnical requirements.

Growing methods

Aster is planted in various ways. The summer resident chooses how to grow a flower based on personal preferences. They use the seedling method and the non-seedling method. If a perennial aster is grown, then the roots are also divided.

It is better to plant annual plants in seedlings, as they will bloom half a month earlier.

Seedling method

Using this method helps to get flowering plants much earlier. With proper care, flower beds are especially colorful. This method is often chosen by gardeners who want their plants to bloom early.

Timing for sowing seeds for seedlings

The summer resident determines the period independently depending on the growing region. Approximate planting date: late March - early April. It should be remembered that seedlings must be transplanted into the ground by mid-May.

Processing of planting material

To disinfect the seeds, keep them for 30 minutes. in a weak solution of potassium permanganate. To speed up the hatching of sprouts, they are soaked in growth stimulants purchased in stores.

Soil for asters

Flowers prefer fertile soil; before digging, add:

• compost;
• humus;
• wood ash;
• dolomite flour.

It is not difficult to understand what kind of soil asters like; it is important to protect the flower bed from waterlogging and weeds. For seedlings, prepare soil that allows moisture and air to pass through well. For better watering, a drainage layer must be formed at the bottom of the containers.

Sowing seeds

Sowing depth is 0.5-1 cm. Water with warm water. Then they are covered with polyethylene and placed in a warm, dark place. After the sprouts appear, remove the film and place the pots with plantings on the window.

Temperature and lighting

The culture loves sunlight; the longer the daylight hours, the stronger the flower seedlings. The air temperature is not higher than +18 ⁰С.

Watering seedlings

Use only warm water. The first time, 7-10 days, is watered by spraying. Moisten with a spray bottle so the roots are not washed out. Water as the top layer of soil dries. Without flooding or waterlogging the soil.

Picking plants

Produced upon request. Some gardeners do not recommend touching plants.They feel good in the group and are growing well. But if time and place permit, then after the appearance of the second leaf they are transplanted into separate containers.

Hardening

A mandatory process before planting seedlings in open ground. Plants need to be prepared for growing conditions. Therefore, a week in advance, the containers are taken out onto the balcony or outside for 10-15 minutes. The next day, increase the time. Then bring it up to 10 hours. And the last day is left overnight.

Planting seedlings in open ground

The final stage of planting. The transfer to a permanent location takes place in mid-May. When the sprouts reach a size of 10-12 cm. It is recommended to do this in the evening to reduce plant stress.

The planting pattern depends on varieties of asters:

• tall 30-40 cm;
• short 20 cm.

This arrangement of bushes helps create an aesthetically pleasing appearance in the flowerbed.

Growing from seeds by direct sowing in open ground

To properly grow plants, you must follow the recommendations given by experienced gardeners. Direct sowing in the ground reduces the labor intensity of cultivation, but significantly delays the flowering time.

When to sow

You need to wait until the soil warms up. The optimal period is at the end of April and beginning of May. The summer resident calculates the day, correlating it with the climate characteristics of the region of residence. Planting material is planted in open ground not only in spring, but also in autumn. Then the planting time depends on frosts, since the seeds are planted in frozen soil.

Asters planted in this way bloom later, but more abundantly and longer. In the beds, grooves are formed in advance and planting material is sown in them. Sprinkle with a layer of mulch 3-4 cm thick, use humus or compost.

Choosing a location on the site

It is advisable to choose a well-lit area that will be protected from flooding and waterlogging. No crop likes drafts and strong winds.

Soil preparation

The bed is dug up, roots and weeds are removed. Add nutrients. Make grooves, the depth of which is 2 cm. Then water with a weak solution of potassium permanganate.

Sowing scheme

Sow in furrows made at a distance of 8-10 cm. Then cover with polyethylene. After emergence of shoots, the film is removed.

When the 3rd leaf appears, they break through at the distance required for a certain variety.

Outdoor care

After the plants are planted in a permanent place, they require high-quality care. Carry out the necessary work in a timely manner, watering, weeding and loosening.

Watering

Astra does not tolerate waterlogging. Water as needed when the soil dries out. It is advisable not to plant flowers in places where groundwater passes close to the surface of the earth. The root system of plants does not tolerate waterlogging. In hot weather, water rarely, but abundantly. During rainy periods they do not irrigate.

Weeding and hilling

Like all cultivated plants, aster does not tolerate proximity to weeds. Weeding is carried out regularly. To reduce the number of weeds, the soil is loosened after each watering. In addition, the soil is saturated with oxygen and retains moisture. Hilling up plants is carried out with the aim of strengthening and stimulating the branching of the root system. Carry it out until branching; the height of the soil during hilling is 5-7 cm.

Feeding

To increase the size of flowers and the intensity and duration of flowering, it is recommended to feed the plants. Fertilizer is applied half a month after the plants are transferred to the soil.Use nitroammophoska. Then the flowers are fed by spraying the bushes with minerals. Produced 1.5 weeks after the first feeding.

To improve the effect of fertilizing, alternate mineral and organic fertilizers. Before and during flowering they are fed with mullein. Calculation 1:10. Mineral substances used:

• superphosphate;
• urea;
• potassium chloride;
• urea and others.

Trimming and tying

Perennial asters need staking, as tall bushes are not able to support themselves. Especially in strong winds and precipitation. The bushes are tied to stakes. As for pruning, it needs to be done. Thinned bushes look more beautiful when forming a hedge. If you remove the tops of the branches, there will be more inflorescences.

Reproduction

The summer resident wants to increase the number of plants he likes. It is not always financially possible to purchase seeds in a store. Therefore, many propagate flowers on their own.

Seeds

A proven method of flower propagation. Plants retain all the characteristics of their parents. Even beginners will not have any difficulties. It is enough to collect planting material and sow it correctly.

Seeds are also purchased in stores. Preferably from trusted sellers who sell only high-quality planting material.

Cuttings

This method applies to the propagation of perennial aster. This is done in the spring. After the shoots grow 15-20 cm, they are cut off. The cut must be at an angle of 45⁰. Then the lower leaves are removed and placed in a growth stimulator for several days. Plant in partial shade at an angle, monitoring the humidity level. Do not let the plantings dry out or flood them.

Dividing the bush

Gardeners practice this method of propagating perennial asters. In the first place the bush grows for no more than 5-6 years. Then the plantings thicken and the plants lose their attractiveness. This method is the fastest, since the bushes bloom in the same year. The bush is dug up and divided into parts using a shovel or knife. At least 5 shoots are left in each.

The holes are prepared in advance, the distance depends on the characteristics of the transplanted variety. The higher the mature bushes, the greater the distance.

Care after flowering and preparation for winter

If the aster is annual, the bushes are pulled out and burned to avoid the spread of diseases. Do not touch perennial plants after flowering. They wait for the above-ground part to dry, cut it off and burn it. If necessary, divide and seat. For winter, it is recommended to cover the flowers, as some varieties do not tolerate cold and frost well.

Diseases and pests

Aster is attacked by many insects and viruses. If measures are not taken in a timely manner, there will be nothing left of the flowerbed. Since flowers are not eaten, they are treated with chemicals. This is done for prevention purposes and when signs of disease are detected.

Problems during cultivation

Not everyone can grow asters on their property without encountering problems:

• A common problem is poor germination of planting material.
• In addition, seeds are stored very little. It is necessary to remember this when collecting planting material.
• High susceptibility to disease is also a problem for summer residents.

Perhaps the summer resident will encounter other problems when growing. But in general, the aster is an unpretentious flower, which, with proper care, pleases with abundant and long-lasting flowering.Planting aster is a simple process, as the plants are unpretentious and responsive to care. Decorating flower beds with its help makes any garden an object of admiration.