Rod Asters (Aster) from the Asteraceae or Compositae family includes about 500 species of herbaceous perennial rhizome plants. The name of this flower is translated from Latin as "star", and its history has about 2000 years. The birthplace of asters is considered to be China, Mongolia, Korea and the southwestern part of the Far East.
Since there are a huge number of species of asters, their classification is very extensive. These plants are divided according to their shape, height, decorative features of flowers, types of flowers and their shape.
All asters have straight stems, the height of which reaches 20-200 cm, jagged green leaves and basket inflorescences, most often terry, single or gathered in panicles or umbrellas. In their color, aster flowers are very diverse and can be white pink, red, blue, blue or purple with a transition between them. Asters have no aroma, but because of their large flowers with beautiful petals, a variety of colors and a long flowering period (from the second half of summer to frost), they are very popular garden plants. Authentic asters are perennial flowers. Also in our gardens they grow an annual aster brought to us from China, which is called Chinese Callistephus.
Asters - growing and care
Asters grow well and bloom profusely in sunny, open and at the same time protected from the wind areas with well-drained soils, ideally - light breathable fertile loams and sandstones, having a pH from 6.5 to 7.5. It is not recommended to plant asters in places where tulips, gladioli, carnations grew before them. But they feel great in areas where calendula, marigolds, perennial grasses were grown before.
The best mode for growing asters is a temperature of about 15 ° C and a humidity of 60% to 70%. In dry and hot weather, plants lose their decorative appearance, the amount of seed crop is reduced. Also, the aster does not tolerate groundwater close to the surface, constant dampness and excessive soil moisture.
Asters are characterized by good drought tolerance, however, in the heat they need abundant watering. The topic of watering during budding is especially relevant for these plants, otherwise they will not have good flowering.
Also, asters for long and lush flowering need feeding. First, fertilizers in the form of humus or compost should be applied to the flower bed during autumn digging. Organics are not very suitable for these flowers, it is better to give preference to mineral fertilizers. First, asters feed 1.5-2 weeks after transplanting; then - during the period of budding and flowering, but already without nitrogen.
Asters - transplant and reproduction
Asters reproduce mainly by seeds, which should be planted in early spring to obtain seedlings. Seedlings are grown in ordinary slightly acidic soil, the time of planting in open ground is the end of spring or the beginning of summer. You can plant seeds directly in open ground in May, but such plants will bloom later, by the end of September. Sowing seeds can be done before winter. 2-3 years after planting, the plants lose their attractiveness, therefore it is better to transplant them by propagating by dividing (by stem cuttings), or sow new ones.
Perennial asters begin to bloom 1-2 years after sowing. They can also be propagated vegetatively, by dividing the bush, which is carried out in early spring. The detachable part should have from 3 to 5 young shoots and some roots.
Asters can also be propagated by apical cuttings having a length of 5-7 cm. To do this, they need to be rooted in a soil mixture consisting of turf, peat and sand, keeping under the film for a month. They are planted in open ground in early September.
Asters - Diseases and Pests
Asters are very susceptible to various diseases and pests. The most common among them is fusariosis (root rot). As a preventative measure for this disease, plants should be sprayed with a solution of sulfuric acid salts with zinc, copper, and magnesium.
If you grow asters on poor soils, irrigate them on time or rejuvenate plantings, they can suffer from a fungal disease such as powdery mildew, which appears on the plant with a grayish-white bloom. To combat it, the plant is sprayed with sulfur preparations.
The next fungal disease that asters can get sick is late blight, it can be recognized by brown spots, sometimes with a white coating. The best prevention of this disease is spraying with copper preparations, as well as timely weeding and harvesting of the remains of the stems.
The main pests of asters are butterfly scoops, their caterpillars eat plants. To combat them, the plant is sprayed with chlorophos, phosphamide or karbofos, as well as timely loosening the soil, weeds and plant debris are removed. In the same way they fight with aphid buds affecting seedlings.
In dry and hot weather, asters can be attacked by a spider mite, sucking the juices from plants. Then you need to spray the plants with infusions of onions and garlic.
Slugs may also appear on asters. To get rid of them, plants are sprinkled with lime and superphosphate and deep loosening of the soil is carried out.
