Aster (China) Growing Guide
Callistephus chinensis
Crop Rotation Group
Miscellaneous ●
Soil
Any good garden soil.
Position
Full sun.
Frost tolerant
Little or none for annual asters. Many perennial asters are very cold hardy.
Feeding
Encourage fast growth by mixing a balanced organic fertiliser into the soil before planting. Take care not to overfeed China asters, which may not bloom well when given too much nitrogen.
Companions
Use China asters as feature plants for the late summer garden, but do not crowd them.
Spacing
Single Plants: 30cm (11") each way (minimum)
Rows: 30cm (11") with 30cm (11") row gap (minimum)
Sow and Plant
When starting China aster seeds indoors in early spring, cover them well with moist seed starting mix. China asters also can be direct-sown in late spring, after the soil has warmed.
Our Garden Planner can produce a personalised calendar of when to sow, plant and harvest for your area.
Notes
Providing some type of grow-through support for China asters helps to keep the plants upright in late summer, when they become heavy with blooms. Blossom colours include pink, purple, lavender, white, and red.
Harvesting
Gather China asters for flower arrangements when the blooms are just beginning to open. When kept in fresh water, new petals will unfold for two weeks.
Troubleshooting
Leafhoppers spread disease among asters. Where this is a problem, cover plants with horticultural fleece during the first half of the growing season.
Planting and Harvesting Calendar
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Pests which Affect Aster (China)