Content
Needle asters will decorate the autumn flower beds in the garden and flower arrangements. The plants are annuals and must be harvested at the end of the season. For landing, choose an illuminated place on a hill.
The flower is resistant to low temperatures, easily tolerates short-term drought. For abundant flowering, it is enough to water the plantings and periodically apply mineral fertilizers.
Description
Aster needle Unicum mix includes several varieties that differ in the shade of inflorescences. Plants are pyramidal in shape, reaching a height of 50-70 cm.
Inflorescences are solitary, flat, radial, densely double. The size of the flowers is up to 15 cm. Each bush produces about 10-12 shoots and 30 inflorescences during the growing season.
The color range of needle asters is extensive and includes the following shades:
- white;
- purple;
- red;
- pink;
- yellow;
- coral.
The acicular aster stands out for its early flowering. The first buds appear 3-4 months after germination. Flowering is long, continuous for 50 days from July to September.
Asters are light-loving plants that are resistant to short-term frosts down to -4 ° C. They are used to decorate multi-flowered and single flower beds, mixborders and borders. The plant will decorate country and city flower beds.
At home, aster is planted in pots, which are kept on well-lit balconies or loggias.
Needle varieties are grown for cutting. Flowers stand in water for 14 days. They create monochrome or contrasting bouquets. Asters look spectacular in combination with greenery.
In the photo, aster needle Unicum mix:
Seedling method
The needle aster is grown by seedlings. Seeds are planted in a prepared substrate at home. Seedlings provide the necessary microclimate. The grown seedlings are transferred to open areas.
Seed and soil preparation
When growing needle asters, seeds are planted from March to April. Light fertile soil is used for planting. The soil is taken from the summer cottage and fertilized with humus. It is allowed to use purchased land intended for seedlings.
The soil is pretreated for the purpose of disinfection. It is steamed in a water bath or left in the cold for several weeks. Before planting, the soil is watered with a warm solution of potassium permanganate.
To obtain seedlings, take boxes or cassettes with a mesh size of 3-5 cm. When using cassettes or individual cups, picking of seedlings can be avoided.
The soil is moistened and poured into containers. Aster seeds are buried 1 cm, a thin layer of earth is poured on top. 2-3 seeds are placed in cassettes. The plantings are covered with polyethylene to create a greenhouse effect.
Seed germination takes 10-14 days. The film is periodically inverted to provide fresh air. The soil is moistened with warm water. Seeds harvested a year earlier germinate faster.
Seedling care
When seedlings appear, the polyethylene is removed, and the containers are rearranged to a lighted place. The development of needle aster seedlings occurs when a number of conditions are met:
- temperature regime 16-18 ° С;
- regular watering;
- lack of stagnant moisture and drafts;
- lighting for 12-14 hours.
Seedlings of needle varieties are watered with warm water from a spray bottle.If necessary, install the backlight. For her, phytolamps are used, which are located at a distance of 30 cm from the plants.
In the photo, aster needle seedlings Unicum mix:
When the first and second leaves appear, the asters are seated in separate containers. When growing flowers, the most developed plant is selected in the cassette.
Plants are hardened 3 weeks before being transferred to the ground. Containers with seedlings are rearranged on a balcony or loggia for several hours. Consistently, the period when asters are in the fresh air is increased.
Landing in the ground
Asters are transferred to open ground at the age of 60-65 days. A plot for a flower garden is prepared in the fall. It is dug up and fertilized with humus.
Asters prefer drained light soils. When grown in heavy clay soil, coarse sand must be added. The flower garden is not equipped in lowlands, where moisture accumulates.
Planting holes are prepared on the garden bed, where the plants are transferred. Leave 30 cm between them. The roots of the aster are covered with earth and water is plentiful.
Seedless way
In regions with a warm climate, asters are planted immediately in open ground. Under natural conditions, growing needle asters from seeds takes longer, so the flowering time is also shifted. When planted in autumn, the seeds undergo natural stratification. Stronger shoots appear in the spring.
Spring planting
In May, when the soil warms up, the seeds of the needle aster are planted in an open area. The seeds are pre-soaked in warm water for a day to stimulate their germination.
On the bed, grooves are prepared with a depth of 2 cm, where the seeds are placed. At night, plantings are covered with agrofibre. When shoots appear, they are thinned out or planted.
To speed up the emergence of sprouts, the seeds are planted in a greenhouse. In warm conditions, aster germinates faster. When the seedlings grow up, they are transferred to a permanent place.
Photos of needle asters:
Winter landing
When planted in winter, the flowers grow stronger, resistant to diseases and unfavorable conditions. The seeds remain in the soil for the winter and undergo natural stratification.
Needle asters are planted in October or November, when the ground begins to freeze. The seeds are placed at a depth of 2 cm, soil and humus are poured on top. With podzimny planting, the consumption of planting material increases, since the most viable seeds sprout in the spring.
The plantings are covered with agrofibre, it must be removed in the spring, when the frost ends. After the snow melts, the first shoots appear, which are thinned out or transplanted.
Flower garden care
When grown from seed aster needle Unicum mix needs minimal maintenance. It is enough to water and feed the plants. If necessary, plantings are treated for diseases and pests. Dried inflorescences are eliminated to stimulate the formation of new flowers.
Watering
Needle asters are watered as the soil dries up. The water is preliminarily settled in barrels. It is best to water the plants in the morning or evening, when there is no direct sunlight.
The intensity of watering is increased in the heat. For 1 sq. m plantings require 3 buckets of water. With a lack of moisture, aster loses its decorative properties.
Excess moisture leads to decay of the root system, the plant develops slowly and may die. Waterlogging provokes the development of fungal diseases.
Must eliminate weeds... Before the appearance of a large number of shoots, the stem is huddled to strengthen the root system.
Photo of needle asters in a flower bed:
Top dressing
When grown on poor soils, asters are fed with minerals. If the flower garden grows on fertile soil, then you can do without top dressing.
For the season needle aster varieties fed according to the scheme:
- 15 days after planting the plants in the ground;
- when forming buds;
- before flowering.
Asters react negatively to the introduction of fresh organic matter: mullein or bird droppings. To obtain a nutrient solution, mineral fertilizers are taken: 20 g of urea, 30 g of potassium sulfate and 25 g of double superphosphate. Substances are diluted in 10 liters of water and the plants are watered at the root.
For feeding asters, wood ash is used, which is embedded in the soil between rows with plants.
For the second and third treatments, only potash and phosphorus fertilizers are needed. Such dressing strengthens the immunity of plants and accelerates the emergence of new buds.
Diseases and pests
When properly grown from aster seeds, Unicum mix needles rarely suffer from diseases. The factors provoking the spread of diseases are high humidity, poor-quality planting material, growing asters in one place for several years in a row.
The greatest danger to the flower garden is Fusarium. The disease spreads a fungus that attacks the stems and leaves of the plant. As a result, the flower turns yellow and withers. The affected plants are removed and the soil and garden tools are disinfected.
When grown next to conifers, rust appears on asters in the form of swelling on the leaf plate. The flower garden is sprayed with Bordeaux liquid.
Asters are susceptible to attack by scoops, meadow bugs, aphids, and spider mites. Insects feed on the aboveground part of plants or on their roots. As a result, the development of the flower slows down, which can lead to its death.
To get rid of pests, Karbofos, Metaldehyde, Phosphamide are used. They are diluted with water and used to spray plants. For prophylaxis, the flower garden is powdered with tobacco dust or wood ash.
Autumn care
After the end of flowering, annual asters are dug up by the root. Plants are recommended to be burned to eliminate pathogens and insects.
Aster seeds are harvested in autumn. Then several inflorescences are left on the bushes. The collected material is recommended to be used for planting within 2 years. The seeds are stored in a dry place in a paper or cloth bag.
Conclusion
Needle asters are a frost-resistant and unpretentious variety of autumn flowers. Asters look great in the garden and in bouquets. Flowers are grown from seeds. Planting is performed at home or directly to an open area. The seedling method is considered more reliable and is suitable for cool climates.
Flower garden maintenance is minimal and consists of watering and weeding. For abundant flowering, plants are fed with minerals.
