Chinese aster: reviews, photos, growing from seeds

Chinese aster is a herbaceous plant of the Asteraceae family. In botanical reference books, it can be found under the name “Kallistefus”. The culture is distinguished by a wide variety of colors and unpretentious care, which is why it has gained wide popularity. Different types of Chinese aster can differ not only in color, but also in the shape of the petals, the height of the plant, and the purpose. Therefore, each grower can choose any options to his liking.

Aster bush can be sprawling or pyramidal

General description of the Chinese aster

China is considered the birthplace of callistefus, where the plant has been grown since ancient times, embodying elegance and beauty. In the countries of Europe, the flower was secretly brought in the 17th century by a French monk. Since then, Astra began to travel around the world.

Legends and interesting facts

Translated from Latin, “aster” means “star”. Therefore, the flower personifies the dream of the unknown, is a talisman and God’s gift to man. In Greece, it is believed that an aster planted at the entrance is able to protect the house from trouble and trouble.

In China, there is a legend that two monks, trying to climb up to the stars, climbed the highest mountain of Altai. But when they reached the top, they were disappointed. The stars were also inaccessible and distant, as before. Tired and hungry, they returned back, and at the foot of the mountain they saw a whole meadow with beautiful flowers. And then they realized that stars are not only in the sky, but also on earth. The monks called the plants asters. And since then they began to grow them in the monastery.

There is also another belief that the Chinese aster grew from a speck of dust that came to Earth from a star. Therefore, her buds are so similar to her. And if you go out into the garden at night, you can hear a whisper. It is the stars in the sky that communicate with the asters.

Chinese aster – perennial or annual

“Callistefus” is an annual plant. But unlike perennial species, Chinese aster is characterized by larger flowers, a huge variety of shades and a compact bush shape.

Plant height varies from 20 to 90 cm. Astra is distinguished by erect, flexible shoots that branch intensively. The leaves are oval, with a serrated edge and a sharp end. Flowers are fluffy baskets. But in fact, they are inflorescences and consist of two types of flowers – reed and tubular, which many people mistake for petals.

Marginal reed flowers can be of different shades, except for orange, green and black. And the tubular ones, which are located in the center, are only yellow. Moreover, in terry varieties they are practically invisible.

The best varieties of Chinese aster

Chinese aster is a herbaceous plant for open ground. Thanks to selection, about 500 species of this crop were bred.

Among them:

1. Erfurt dwarf. Undersized species, bred in Germany. It is characterized by a compact pyramidal bush, the height of which reaches 20-30 cm. It forms large inflorescences with a diameter of up to 10 cm. The color is in a classic color scheme. The first buds open after 3 months.

   

2. Seated lady. Peony-shaped aster 70 cm high. A characteristic feature is the silver-white tips of the petals. The main shade of this series can be pink or lilac-blue. The bush has a compressed pyramidal shape, forms about 10 peduncles per season. The “Gray Lady” inflorescences are terry or semi-double, with a diameter of 9-12 cm. The first buds open in July.

   

3. Unique. Needle type of Chinese aster, characterized by a rich selection of colors with a delicate aroma. Forms high bushes up to 70 cm, with numerous branches. Radiant inflorescences in diameter reach 13 cm.

   

4. Look. Spectacular needle variety with huge inflorescences with a diameter of 16-18 cm. The height of the bushes is 70 cm. Forms strong shoots, therefore it is suitable for cutting. The long needle-petals are densely planted and slightly curled in the center. A series of Chinese aster “Harts”, as seen in the photo, is distinguished by a wide variety of shades.

   

5. Pampushka. A pompom variety of the plant, which includes one- and two-tone shades. Forms compact branched bushes 50 cm high. Edge flowers form a long wide skirt, and the central ones are dense, short.

   

Features of reproduction

Chinese asters, unlike perennial species, must be planted every year. The plant reproduces only by seeds. Their collection should be carried out in the fall, after full maturation.

Application in landscape design

The variety of species of callistefus allows you to use the plant for landscaping the site. Dwarf varieties of Chinese aster are ideal for borders and borders. And tall species are used for group plantings.

Dwarf forms of the Chinese aster are suitable for growing in containers

It is good to combine the Chinese aster with spring bulbous flowers, since at the end of the flowering of the latter, it only begins to form buds and grow bushes, and thus preserves the decorativeness of the flower bed. Ideal partners for callistefus are marigolds and marigolds.

Astra is easy to get along with and goes well with any garden flowers.

How to grow Chinese aster from seeds

Chinese aster can be grown in seedling and seedless method. In the first case, flowering occurs much earlier and allows you to collect mature seeds at the end of the season. In the second case, the buds open only in August.

Growing Chinese aster from seeds at home

This method is more reliable, as it allows you to track the growth of Chinese aster seedlings from the beginning to planting in open ground. This significantly increases the number of seedlings, but requires hardening before planting in the ground.

When to sow Chinese asters for seedlings

When growing Chinese aster from seeds, you can plant seedlings already in early April and continue until the first half of May. Early species bloom in 90-95 days, and late ones after 110 days.

Preparation of containers and soil

To plant a Chinese aster for seedlings, you need to select wide, but shallow bowls 10 cm high with drainage holes. Each variety should be planted in a separate container. Suitable soil can be prepared by mixing turf, sand and humus in a ratio of 1:1:1 and adding 1 g of wood ash to 200 bucket of substrate. To disinfect the soil, it is necessary to pour it with a solution of potassium permanganate.

Algorithm for planting a Chinese aster for seedlings

The procedure for planting a Chinese aster does not require complex steps. Therefore, it can be carried out by anyone, even a novice florist.

Procedure:

1. Lay a layer of drainage 1 cm thick on the bottom of the container.
2. Pour the substrate on top, level and compact.
3. Water the soil.
4. Using a wooden stick, make furrows 0,5 cm deep.
5. Evenly lay the seeds in them, sprinkle with earth.
6. Observe the distance between rows of 2 cm.
7. Cover containers with glass or film.

Chinese aster seeds germinate in 7-8 days

Care of seedlings

When seedlings appear, the containers must be rearranged in a bright place and the content regime should be reduced to 15 degrees. This will slow down the growth of the aerial part and stimulate the development of the roots.

The main care is regular watering as the substrate dries. As soon as the seedlings of the Chinese aster grow a little and get stronger, they need to be adapted to external conditions. To do this, you should initially remove the glass for 30 minutes, and with each subsequent day increase the interval by another half hour. After a week, the shelter can be removed.

When 1-2 pairs of true leaves are formed, Chinese aster seedlings should be planted in separate containers. The soil can be used the same as for seeds.

Transplant into the ground

It is necessary to plant seedlings of Chinese aster grown from seeds in open ground when the likelihood of return frosts has completely disappeared. The optimal period is the second half of May or the beginning of June, depending on the region.

By this time the plant should be 7 cm tall and have 5-6 true leaves. When planting, maintain a distance of 20 cm between seedlings.

Planting and caring for the Chinese aster in the open field

Sowing seeds can be carried out immediately in open ground. With this method of growing, the Chinese aster is more hardy.

Deadlines

Planting Chinese aster seeds in the ground can be carried out in spring and autumn. In the first case, this should be done in the second half of May, when the soil warms up to a depth of 15-20 cm.

In the second case, it is recommended to sow at the end of November so that the seeds do not have time to germinate before frost. Planting Chinese aster before winter can be used in the southern regions.

Site selection and soil preparation

For the Chinese aster, open sunny areas should be selected, but growing the Chinese aster in partial shade is also acceptable. Maximum decorative qualities are manifested when planted in light fertile soil with a neutral level of acidity.

A bed for a Chinese aster should be prepared in 2 weeks. It needs to be dug up, cleaned of weeds and humus (4 kg), superphosphate (40 g) and potassium sulfide (3 g) added to the soil for every square meter.

Seed sowing

Before planting, the site should be leveled and loosened to a depth of 4-6 cm. Then make grooves at a distance of 15 cm and water them. Then spread the seeds and sprinkle them with earth. The first watering should be carried out for 3-4 days.

Seeds are planted in open ground in three stages

Care for the Chinese aster in the open field

Chinese aster belongs to the category of unpretentious plants, so it is not difficult to care for it.

The main rule is regular loosening of the soil between rows after rain or watering and timely removal of weeds. It is also important to spud the bushes to a height of 6-8 cm before branching, which stimulates the growth of the root system and gives stability to the plants. Chinese aster easily tolerates drought, but does not tolerate stagnation of moisture in the soil. Therefore, it should be watered rarely, but plentifully, at the rate of 30 liters per 1 sq. m.

An annual aster should be fed three times per season. The first time during the period of active growth of shoots. At this stage, 30 g of ammonium nitrate should be used per 10 liters of water. The second and third times, top dressing should be done during the formation of buds and flowering. During this period, it is necessary to use superphosphate (50 g), and potassium sulfate (40 g) for the same volume of water.

Diseases and pests

The Chinese aster, like its perennial relative, is susceptible to diseases and pests. Therefore, when characteristic signs appear, urgent measures are recommended.

Possible problems:

1. Fusarium wilt. Attacks mature plants. A characteristic sign is a sharp yellowing of the bush on one side, followed by drying out. Sick plants cannot be treated, so they must be burned. As a preventive measure, the Chinese aster cannot be planted on the same bed for 5 years. Most often, the cause is fresh manure, so only humus should be used when growing.

   

2. Kidney aphid. Attacks the Chinese aster at the seedling stage, which leads to leaf deformation. To combat aphids, the bushes should be treated with Inta-Vir, Fitoverm.

   

3. Slugs. The pest attacks plants in conditions of high humidity. A sign of damage are holes in the leaves. To fight, it is recommended to pour wood ash and gravel at the base of the bushes.

   

Conclusion

Chinese aster is a flower for open ground, which was grown in the old days. But thanks to the efforts of breeders, the plant remains relevant to this day, and is also widely used in landscape design. Such popularity is explained by high decorative qualities and unpretentiousness in care.