China Aster Flower Seeds
West Coast Seeds, China Aster Flower Seeds - Detailed Description
Embrace the elegance and diversity of China Aster Flower Seeds, offering your garden an exquisite palette of colours. These beloved annuals burst into a spectacular display of vibrant blooms, ranging from deep purples and pinks to delicate whites and yellows. Each flower stands proudly on sturdy stems, making them a visual treat in the garden and exceptional candidates for cutting and arranging in vases.
China Aster is celebrated for its full, lush blooms that closely resemble chrysanthemums, bringing late summer and fall gardens to life when many other flowers begin to fade. Reaching heights of 30-60cm (12-24 inches), they fit perfectly into a variety of garden designs, from borders to flower beds and containers.
To maximize the flowering period and encourage a more prolific bloom, it's essential to regularly harvest the flowers for bouquets or diligently deadhead spent blooms. Adhere closely to planting and spacing guidelines. These asters thrive when given room to flourish, ensuring each plant receives ample light and air circulation.
West Coast Seeds, China Aster Seeds - Additional Information
How to Grow China Aster
Seed Starting:
Begin your China Aster journey by sowing seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost, using peat pots or a similar medium to facilitate easy transplanting. For those preferring to start outdoors, wait until after the last frost and lightly cover the seeds with soil.
Indoor growers should ensure seedlings receive ample light and maintain a soil temperature of 18-21°C (65-70°F). Due to their susceptibility to damping off, providing good air circulation and water seedlings from below is crucial to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged.
Growing:
Once established, transplant or thin seedlings to stand 30-45cm (12-18 inches) apart. Adhering to this spacing is vital for the plant's health and vigour as the season progresses. Refrain from pinching the young plants, as Chinese asters develop best without this intervention.
Regular watering is essential, especially during drought, but be cautious of overwatering.
These plants demand well-draining soil and benefit from mulching in summer to maintain cool root temperatures. Avoid overcrowding and ensure plants are in a location with good airflow and away from heat-reflective surfaces to prevent stress and promote robust growth.
China Aster Diseases & Pests
Slugs:
These garden pests are particularly fond of moist environments and can cause significant damage to Calendula and other tender plants.
Keep the garden area clean and free of debris where slugs can hide during the day. Use barriers like copper tape around garden beds or containers, as copper deters slugs.
Hand-picking slugs during the evening with gloves can be effective. Alternatively, slug traps filled with beer or a simple yeast and water mixture can attract and drown slugs. For a non-toxic approach, diatomaceous earth scattered around plants dries out and deters slugs.
Aphids:
These small sap-sucking insects can weaken plants and spread diseases.
Encourage natural predators such as ladybugs, lacewings, and hoverflies by planting diverse flower varieties that attract them.
Rinse aphids off plants with a strong stream of water from a hose. If the problem persists, apply insecticidal soap or neem oil to the undersides of leaves where aphids congregate.
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