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Lovers of autumn flowers grow different flowers in their gardens, including asters. These are amazing plants that delight the eye with unusual colors and flower shapes. Peony aster is especially popular. The article will provide a description of the flower, features of cultivation and care.
Interesting Facts
The word aster is of Greek origin and is translated as “star”. And this is true, because in the autumn in the flower beds these flowers resemble bright stars that have fallen from the sky. Since the flower has been grown since ancient times, there are many legends and beliefs associated with it.
According to one of the legends, a long time ago, star dust fell on the earth, from which beautiful flowers-stars later grew. According to legend, at night, earthly asters talk with their celestial relatives.
In ancient Greece, star flowers were assigned the role of a talisman that could bring good luck. To receive the blessing of the gods, the Greeks began to plant flowers not only next to sacred buildings, but also in their courtyards.
Currently, there are a huge number of species and varieties of asters that attract gardeners with a variety of color palettes and flower shapes.
Description
Astra is peony-shaped, it is clearly seen in the photo, it is distinguished by its decorative effect and long flowering. When all the flowers have already been killed by the first frosts, flowerbeds with asters continue to please with their multicolor.
The color palette of peony asters is diverse:
- white and pink;
- burgundy and purple;
- yellow and pale lilac.
Bush
The flower has a well-developed root system. Stems are sessile and erect. Bushes of medium height, depending on the variety, 40-70 cm. They branch slightly, so they retain the shape of the column. Flowering is long, bright caps of peony aster delight flower growers with their beauty from mid-summer to the end of September. In the southern regions, flowering asters can also be seen in October.
Flowers
Aster flowers are peony shaped. The inflorescence is a terry basket with reed petals directed towards the center, so the flower looks like a multi-colored ball. The outer elements of peony asters are long and straight, all subsequent elements decrease not only in length, but also in width with each row. The middle of the flower is attractive yellow. The basket may have a different diameter depending on the variety, the largest specimens reach 15 cm.
Aster varieties
There are a lot of varieties of peony aster, for this you need to thank the breeders. Experienced gardeners note that it is better for beginners to start with the most popular varieties that are less demanding to care for:
- Tower;
- Lady;
- Duchess.
Features of reproduction
Peony aster blooms until frost, because the cold is not terrible for her. In the middle regions of Our Country and the zone of risky farming, it is best to plant grown seedlings in the ground. At this time, the plants should be no higher than 6 cm with a well-developed root system.
Flower growers, especially those who are growing peony aster for the first time, are interested in when to sow asters and what methods of reproduction to use. The choice of sowing seeds for seedlings will depend on the expected start of flowering. Seeds can be sown for seedlings in March, April, and in open ground in thawed soil in late April, early May.
To grow lush asters, you need to know the timing of flowering:
- for early asters, 3 months are enough from the moment of germination;
- for flowers of medium flowering time, it will take 110 days;
- late flowering varieties should be sown 130 days in advance.
And now more about the different ways of breeding asters.
seedling
Fertile soil is used for sowing seeds of asters. The composition can be prepared by yourself or purchased at the store. When self-compiling the soil, wood ash and sand must be added.
The soil is shed with boiling water with potassium permanganate a week before planting, because asters are very susceptible to black leg disease. Such a period is necessary in order for beneficial bacteria to start working in the soil.
Landing
Before planting, the seeds of peony asters are treated in a pink solution of potassium permanganate and immediately sown in the prepared soil to a depth of one centimeter. Then moisten the soil with a spray bottle so as not to wash the seed, and cover with glass or film. Seedling containers are placed on a well-lit window at a temperature not exceeding 18 degrees.
If the seeds of asters are fresh, then seedlings begin to appear after 8-10 days. Seedling care consists in moderate watering and, if necessary, additional illumination so that the seedlings do not stretch.
Picks
At the bottom of the cups, it is necessary to put drainage, and on top of that composition of the earth that was used for sowing the seeds. Asters picking is carried out when two leaves appear on the seedlings. Transplantation must be carried out carefully, since the place where the stalk passes into the root is very fragile. Before diving, the soil is shed and seedlings are taken out for transplantation. In the first two days, the asters need to be shaded, and in the future, provide good lighting.
Seedling care at home
Seedlings are watered in separate containers infrequently, but plentifully. Excess water will drain through the drain. Asters of any species do not tolerate highly moist soil, as there is a possibility of developing a black leg. But it is also undesirable to overdry the soil, as the seedlings will begin to lag behind in growth. After all, she will have to spend energy on restoring turgor.
If fertile soil was used when transplanting peony asters, then the plants do not need to be fed. But with depleted compositions, biofertilizers or wood ash extract can be used.
Stratification
Seeds of asters, including peony ones, sprout tautly even in the first year of collection. Germination can be accelerated by stratification.
The seeds are scattered on the prepared soil, and on top is a thin layer of snow one centimeter (photo below). Due to the temperature contrast, the seed germinates faster. First, the vessel is placed for 5-6 hours in the cold, then transferred to heat. Emerging shoots are immediately transplanted into peat tablets or pots.
Planting asters for seedlings:
Direct sowing into the ground
Peony aster can be grown in a seedless way. Plants turn out strong, because the seeds are hardened even before germination, and they calmly endure small frosts. Seeds are sown in April, and in May they can be planted in a permanent place.
This method of growing peony asters is possible in the southern regions of Our Country. Plants are more resistant to diseases, but they will only bloom later than those planted with seedlings.
Outdoor cultivation
Plants grown by seedlings must be hardened off before planting so that it has time to adapt to new conditions. Asters are transplanted to a permanent place, depending on the climate, in May or early June.
The flower beds are filled with fertile, breathable soil. Drainage is laid down from pebbles or a special filler. This is a mandatory requirement, since asters die from stagnant water. Water the plants immediately after planting. Next time moisten the soil of the day after 3, if there is no precipitation. Further care for flower beds with “asterisks” is simple:
- weed removal;
- loosening and hilling;
- top dressing;
- disease prevention.
With regards to top dressing, you can use organic or mineral fertilizers, for example, Nitroammophoska or Agricol. Asters are fed twice: during transplantation, and then another half a month later. This will be enough if the soil is nutritious.
Diseases and pests
“Asterisks”, resembling peonies in shape, like many flowers, suffer from diseases. That is why, in order to preserve the decorativeness of asters, it is necessary to carry out preventive treatments of plants. To do this, you can use Bordeaux liquid, chlorine-containing preparations.
What causes asters
- With the wrong crop rotation, asters can suffer from Fusarium wilt. You can notice the disease by the sluggish appearance of plants and falling petals. If a disease has been noticed, the flowers must be removed and burned.
- Powdery mildew occurs from improper watering, insufficiently fertile soil, or with thickened plantings. The manifestation of the disease is noticeable by the gray-white bloom that appears on the stem and leaves. Topaz, Sulfamide are used to fight.
- Asters suffer from fungal diseases. Features of the manifestation – dark annular spots on the leaves. Damaged parts of the plant are removed and burned. After that, plantings are sprayed with the help of Fundazol or Polynom.
- With jaundice, yellow spots form on the flowers. Unfortunately, the disease is not treated, the affected plants must be destroyed. Otherwise, you can lose all the colors.
- So that the flowers are not affected by gray rot, it is necessary to carry out prophylactic treatment with copper-containing preparations at the beginning of budding. The reason for the appearance of a gray-white coating on plants can be an excess of moisture and nitrogen. The disease is treated, the main thing is to remove the damaged parts of asters in a timely manner and process.
vermin
When growing peony asters, one should not forget that she has her own enemies, with whom it is necessary to wage a constant struggle:
- Leaf and gall nematodes. These are the smallest pests that suck the juices out of the plant. You can notice enemies by brown spots on the leaf blades between the veins. If the lesion is insignificant, then only the leaves are removed. In case of mass damage, the entire plant is removed.
- Garden slugs. You can get rid of these pests by mulching the soil or setting baits.
- Drooling penny. The appearance of the enemy of the peony aster is possible by formations similar to densely whipped foam on different parts of the plant. To get rid of it, just rinse the flowers under the pressure of a hose and spray with an infusion of garlic.
- Spider mite. This small insect appears in hot weather. For destruction, you can spray with infusion of onion peel or dandelion.
Conclusion
As you can see, peonies-like asters are easy to grow if you follow the basics of agricultural technology. Then the flower beds will flourish in the garden all summer long, attracting bees and colorful butterflies. Plantings with their multicolor will please not only the owners, but also surprise the guests.