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Asters on the site: growing and care. Video
Multi-colored asters are a wonderful decoration for a summer cottage. These unpretentious flowers delight the eye until deep frost, they look beautiful both in a flower bed and in a bouquet. So that asters bloom magnificently and do not get sick, follow the rules of planting and watering, feed the plants in a timely manner.
Preparing the soil and growing seedlings
When planning to decorate the site with asters, choose a suitable place for them. Asters can be planted in flower beds, ridges and even alpine hills – it all depends on the variety you prefer. Low-growing plants are suitable for borders, tall and bushy plants should be planted in the center of the flower beds. Choose sunny areas for them: asters are very photophilous. Do not place the flower garden in lowlands, shaded areas, or near accumulation of groundwater: these plants do not tolerate stagnant moisture.
The best soils for planting asters are light loamy and sandy loamy soils with a weak alkaline reaction. In order for the plants to develop well and bloom luxuriantly, it is recommended to fertilize the soil. This should be done long before planting, preferably in the fall.
It is recommended to apply for 1 square meter of soil: – 2–4 kg of compost or humus; – 350 g of carbonic lime; – 8 g of superphosphate; – 8 g of potassium salt.
It is not recommended to add fresh manure to the soil, this can lead to the death of plants
Dig up the soil well and apply fertilizer. Loosen the soil mixture again in the spring to help kill weeds and retain moisture in the soil. Immediately before planting seedlings, weed the area, loosen and level the ground.
Asters can be sown, but experienced gardeners prefer to plant pre-prepared seedlings, so you will achieve flowering faster. Sow seeds in seedling containers, this should be done in March or April. The best soil will be soil from your garden with the addition of clean river sand. Water the ground with a strong solution of potassium permanganate or boiling water the day before sowing.
Spread the seeds in random order and do not cover with earth. Close the seedling boxes with paper, it is removed after 5 days when shoots appear. Place the boxes near the light and water the young plants with room temperature water so that the soil is slightly damp. Be sure to ventilate the area where the seedlings are located.
Do not overmoisten the soil: excess water can cause frequent seedling diseases – “black leg”
After 7–8 days, the plants are dived and fed with any complex fertilizer. Then they begin to gradually reduce the temperature in the room, this stage is called hardening. In mid or late May, young plants are ready to be transplanted to a permanent location.
Asters on the site: proper care
Before planting in open ground, young asters are watered abundantly. It is better to plant plants with a clod of earth, this will preserve the fragile root system. Do not thicken the planting, place low-growing flowers at a distance of 10–12 cm from each other, tall ones – at a distance of 20–25 cm. Water the plants abundantly – in the holes and after covering them with earth. Sprinkle dry earth on top of the plantings.
Asters are unpretentious. They need no more than 3 dressings per season, use ready-made complex mixtures for flowering plants. Huddle the soil, this guarantees good bushiness and abundant buds. Do not make a mistake with watering: asters are harmful both waterlogging and excessive dryness in the soil. It is best to water the plants abundantly, but not too often. Watch the weather, in dry summers the amount of watering will have to be increased.