Asters: planting and care in the open field, growing from seeds and when to plant

Garden decoration - blooming flower bed. How to properly plant and care for an aster in the open field, the gardener is looking for answers. There will be no particular difficulties, even a beginner will cope with it. It doesn't take much to pick up planting material, dig up a bed and plant seeds.

Seed selection for open ground

Astra adorns the garden of a large number of summer residents and gardeners. Some flower lovers grow it on the balcony. The choice of variety is important when deciding on planting. It is necessary to determine exactly for what purpose the flower is grown.If for bouquets, choose tall species. If for decorating the site, then take varieties with a short stem.

The summer resident is given a wide range of shades and sizes of bushes to choose from. Planting material is purchased in stores or collected independently. The second option is win-win. The summer resident gets exactly what he wanted to grow.

The difference between planting perennial and annual asters in open ground

Plant annuals or perennials outdoors in early spring or autumn. The bed is prepared in advance, dug up with mineral fertilizers and grooves are formed. Annuals bloom the same year, perennials bloom a year later.

When planting perennial members of the family, only fresh planting material is used. A one-year-old aster can be 1-2 years old. There are no particularly critical differences, it is necessary to comply with the technology and comply with agrotechnical requirements.

Growing methods

Aster is planted in various ways. How to grow a flower, the summer resident chooses based on personal preferences. Use the seedling method and the seedless method. If a perennial aster is grown, then the roots are also divided.

It is better to plant annual plants in seedlings, as they will bloom half a month earlier.

Seedling method

Using the method helps to get flowering plants much earlier. With proper care, the flower beds are especially colorful. This method is often chosen by summer residents who want plants to bloom early.

The timing of sowing seeds for seedlings

The summer resident determines the term independently, depending on the region of cultivation. Approximate planting date: end of March - beginning of April. It should be remembered that seedlings should be transplanted into the ground by mid-May.

Processing of planting material

For disinfection, the seeds are kept for 30 minutes. in a weak solution of potassium permanganate. To speed up the spitting of sprouts, they are soaked in growth stimulants purchased in stores.

Ground for asters

Flowers prefer fertile soil, make before digging:

• compost;
• humus;
• wood ash;
• dolomite flour.

What kind of soil asters love is easy to understand, it is important to protect the flower bed from waterlogging and weeds. For seedlings prepare the soil, which passes moisture and air well. For better watering, a drainage layer is necessarily formed at the bottom of the containers.

Sowing seeds

Sowing depth 0.5-1 cm. Watered with warm water. Then tighten with polyethylene and put in a warm, dark place. After the appearance of sprouts, the film is removed and pots with plantings are placed on the window.

Temperature and lighting

Culture loves sunlight, the more daylight hours, the stronger the flower seedlings. The air temperature is not higher than +18 ⁰С.

Water seedlings

Use only warm water. The first time, 7-10 days, watered by spraying. Moisturize with a spray bottle, so the roots are not washed out. Water as the top layer of soil dries out. Without flooding or waterlogging the soil.

Plant picking

Produced on request. Some summer residents do not recommend touching plants. They do well in a group and grow well. But if time and place allow, then after the appearance of the second leaflet, they are transplanted into separate containers.

Hardening

Mandatory process before planting seedlings in open ground. Plants must be prepared for growing conditions.Therefore, a week in advance, the containers are taken out to the balcony or to the street for 10-15 minutes. The next day, increase the time. Then bring up to 10 hours. And the last day is left for the night.

Planting seedlings in open ground

The final stage of landing. Transfer to a permanent place is carried out in mid-May. When sprouts reach a size of 10-12 cm. It is recommended to do this in the evening to reduce plant stress.

The planting pattern depends on the variety of asters:

• tall 30-40cm;
• Short 20cm

This arrangement of bushes helps create an aesthetic look in the flower bed.

Growing from seeds by direct sowing in open ground

To properly grow plants, you must follow the recommendations given by experienced gardeners. Direct sowing in the ground reduces the labor intensity of cultivation, but significantly delays the flowering time.

When to sow

You have to wait for the soil to warm up. The optimal time is at the end of April and the beginning of May. The summer resident calculates the day, correlating with the climate of the region of residence. Planting material is planted in open ground not only in spring, but also in autumn. Then the planting time depends on the frost, as the seeds are planted in frozen ground.

Asters planted in this way bloom later, but more abundantly and longer. In the beds, grooves are formed in advance and planting material is sown in them. Sprinkle with a layer of mulch 3-4 cm thick, use humus or compost.

Choosing a location on the site

It is advisable to choose a well-lit area that will be protected from flooding and waterlogging. No culture likes drafts and strong winds.

Soil preparation

The bed is dug up, roots and weeds are removed. Bring in nutrients. They make grooves, the depth of which is 2 cm. Then they are watered with a weak solution of potassium permanganate.

Sowing pattern

Sow in grooves made at a distance of 8-10 cm. Then cover with polyethylene. After germination, the film is removed.

When the 3rd sheet appears, break through at the distance required for a certain variety.

Outdoor care

After the plants are planted in a permanent place, it requires quality care for them. Carry out the necessary work in time, water, weed and loosen.

Irrigation

Astra does not tolerate waterlogging. Water as needed when the soil dries out. It is advisable not to plant flowers in places where groundwater passes close to the surface of the earth.The root system of plants does not tolerate waterlogging. In hot weather, water rarely, but plentifully. Do not irrigate during rainy periods.

Weeding and hilling

Like all cultivated plants, aster does not tolerate the neighborhood with weeds. Weeding is carried out regularly. To reduce the number of weeds, the soil is loosened after each watering. In addition, the soil is saturated with oxygen and retains moisture. Hilling plants is carried out in order to strengthen and stimulate the branching of the root system. It is carried out before branching, the height of the soil during hilling is 5-7 cm.

Feeding

To increase the size of the flowers and the intensity and duration of flowering, it is recommended to feed the plants. Fertilizer is applied half a month after the transfer of plants to the ground. Use nitroammophoska. Then the flowers are fed by spraying the bushes with minerals.Produced 1.5 weeks after the first feeding.

To improve the effect of top dressing, alternate mineral and organic fertilizers. Before flowering and during feeding with mullein. Calculation 1:10. Minerals used:

• superphosphate;
• urea;
• potassium chloride;
• urea and others.

Cutting and tying

Perennial asters need to be tied up, as tall bushes are not able to hold themselves. Especially with strong wind and precipitation. Bushes are tied to stakes. As for pruning, it must be done. Thinned bushes look more beautiful when forming a hedge. If you remove the tops of the branches, then there will be more inflorescences.

Reproduction

The summer resident wants to increase the number of plants he likes. It is not always possible to purchase seeds in a store financially. Therefore, many propagate flowers on their own.

Seeds

Proven way to propagate flowers. Plants retain all the characteristics of their parents. Difficulties will not arise even for beginners. It is enough to collect planting material and sow it correctly.

Purchase seeds and in stores. Preferably from trusted sellers who sell only high-quality planting material.

Shanks

This method refers to the reproduction of perennial asters. This is done in the spring. After the shoots grow by 15-20 cm, they are cut off. The cut must be at an angle of 45⁰. Then the lower leaves are removed and placed in a growth stimulator for several days. Planted in partial shade at an angle, monitor the level of humidity. Not allowing to dry out and not flooding the plantings.

Dividing the bush

Gardeners practice this method of propagation of perennial asters. In 1 place, the bush grows no more than 5-6 years.Then the plantings thicken, and the plants lose their attractiveness. This method is the fastest, as the bushes bloom in the same year. The bush is dug up and with the help of a shovel or knife it is divided into parts. At least 5 shoots are left in each.

The wells are prepared in advance, the distance depends on the characteristics of the transplanted variety. The higher the adult bushes, the greater the distance.

Care after flowering and preparation for winter

If the aster is an annual, the bushes are pulled out and burned to avoid the spread of diseases. Perennial plants do not touch after flowering. They wait for the above-ground part to dry out, cut it off and burn it. If necessary, divide and seat. By winter, it is recommended to cover the flowers, as some varieties do not tolerate cold and frost.

Diseases and pests

Astra is attacked by many insects and viruses. If measures are not taken in a timely manner, nothing will remain of the flower bed.Since the flowers are not eaten, they are treated with chemicals. They do this for prevention purposes and when signs of disease are detected.

Growing problems

Grow asters on the site and not run into problems not everyone succeeds:

• A common nuisance is poor germination of planting material.
• Besides, seeds are stored very little. It is necessary to remember this when collecting planting material.
• High susceptibility to disease is also a problem for summer residents.

Perhaps when growing a summer resident will face other problems. But in general, the aster is an unpretentious flower, which, with proper care, pleases with abundant and long flowering. Planting asters is a simple process, as the plants are unpretentious and responsive to care. Making flower beds with it makes any garden a subject of admiration.

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