Asters planting and care in the open field before winter

18 October 2017

ditim

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The annual aster is loved by flower growers for its cold resistance, flowering duration, a variety of flower shapes and colors. Asters are able to withstand frosts down to -3 degrees, so they bloom until late autumn, and they can be planted in open ground with seeds before winter. Asters reproduce exclusively by seeds, but you can plant them in three ways:

1. Growing seedlings at home (seeds for seedlings are sown in the 2nd half of March - early April),
2. Sowing seeds in open ground in spring (late April - early May),
3. Planting asters with seeds in late autumn, before winter, on slightly frozen soil (October - November).

The advantages of planting asters in the fall, before winter:

• Podwinter crops in any crops are distinguished by better health, they are more resistant to natural disasters.
• Sowing in the winter provides early flowering.
• Planting asters before winter allows you to save time in the spring.
• In winter, the weakest seeds will die, and the strongest will germinate. This is natural selection.

Stages of winter planting of asters:

1. Preparing the garden and soil,
2. Sowing seeds in open ground,
3. Shelter of the garden for the winter.

Cooking the garden

In October, before sowing seeds, the soil in the garden bed or flower bed is dug up with the addition of fertilizers. Introduce 3 kg of humus and peat, 1 tablespoon of superphosphate, potassium sulfate and urea. You can also add river sand and 300 g of ash. The dosage is given for 1 square meter of soil. The soil is dug up to 25-30 cm with fertilization, leveled with a rake and grooves are made 2 cm deep. After that, the soil is covered with lutrasil and left until November, before the first frosts.

Sow

After the frost touches the ground, the lutrasil is removed. Dry aster seeds are lowered into the frozen grooves, and then sprinkled with soil by 2 cm.

We cover for the winter

The seedbed is covered with plastic wrap, pressing from the sides with bricks or slats so that the wind does not blow away. In this form, the planting is left to winter. At the end of April, the film is removed and replaced with a covering material. Asters planted in the fall are left under cover until the spring frosts completely stop. In the first week of June, as a rule, the covering material can already be removed.

The advantages of planting annual asters in the fall before winter is that the plants turn out to be much stronger, hardy, begin to bloom earlier, weeks with the seedling method of growing.

Source of information: the book "To my florists" (

And of course, I would like to visually represent how This - plant asters in the fall, before winter... Therefore, we decided to look for a video on this topic.

When to plant asters before winter?

It is correct to plant asters in the fall before winter like this:

• In October, it is necessary to prepare the bed in advance, cut the grooves and leave until the ground freezes.
• Seeds are lowered into the grooves on the frozen soil and they are covered by about 2 cm with pre-prepared humus or purchased soil (end of October - November).

If sowed earlier, before frost:

• Seeds will germinate in humid, relatively warm weather, and the sprouts will die in frost.You can see the weather forecast and sow asters about a week before frost. The seeds will fall into the ground, but not have time to germinate.

When frosts come, and the garden is not ready:

• If it was not possible to prepare the grooves in advance, there is already a stable minus on the thermometer, but the ground has not yet completely seized with frost, it is not too late to plant asters. The soil can be dug up, covered with ash and grooved.

Planting secrets

In search of information, we also watched videos where gardeners share their experience of planting asters in the fall, before winter:

1. Podzimny planting of asters reduces the risk of fusarium rot. The main symptom of diseases is that during the flowering period, the buds begin to fade sharply. Disease can be avoided by planting asters in a new place every year. Another way: to steam, warm up the earth: in the fall, choose a place for sowing asters and make a fire. Then level the remaining pile of ash with your hands, and cut grooves in the bed with ash.
2. Stick the sticks into the ground, where the asters were planted before winter, so as not to lose them in the spring. If there are several varieties, you need to designate each of them.
3. When sowing in winter, it is advised to increase the seed rate, sow quite thickly, on the basis that not all will germinate.
4. It is necessary to cover the seeds of asters with loose earth, then the sprouts will more easily break through the ground.
5. In the spring - at the beginning of summer, seedlings obtained from seeds of winter sowing are planted, cut into flower beds or beds to a permanent place. You can also do this: leave the strongest plants in your native garden, and plant the extra ones in the flower beds.

Many growers are afraid to sow asters in the fall, before winter (they say, no matter how they disappeared). But if you do it correctly, then everything will turn out well.

Aster is a genus of herbaceous plants of the Asteraceae family, or Asteraceae, numbering, according to various opinions, from 200 to 500 species, most of which grow in North and Central America. Asters are rhizomatous plants with simple leaves, inflorescences are baskets collected in panicles or scutes, their marginal flowers are ligulate of various shades, and the central ones are tubular, small, almost always yellow. Aster flowers have been cultivated in Europe since the 17th century, and flower growers have succeeded in breeding, growing varieties of amazing beauty, among which there are specimens of all kinds of colors and shapes. Depending on the quality of the inflorescences and the height of the stem, asters are used for borders, group plantings, rabatok, Aryan rock or as decoration for balconies and terraces. Bouquets of asters are very beautiful, which stand for a long time in the cut.

Planting an aster before winter

Podzimny planting of asters reduces the risk of fusarium rot. The main symptom of diseases is that during the flowering period, the buds begin to fade sharply. Disease can be avoided by planting asters in a new place every year.

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Another way: to steam, warm up the earth: in the fall, choose a place for sowing asters and make a fire. Then level the remaining pile of ash with your hands, and cut grooves in the bed with ash.

Stick the sticks into the ground, where the asters were planted before winter, so as not to lose them in the spring. If there are several varieties, you need to designate each of them. When sowing in winter, it is advised to increase the seed rate, sow quite thickly, on the basis that not all will germinate.

In November or early December (depending on weather conditions) we start sowing asters. We remove the material from the garden bed with a cover, sow seeds in the designated grooves in an amount much larger than in spring. And now is the time to use the remaining seeds from the spring sowing, since they will completely lose their germination by the new season.

Cover the sown aster seeds from above with prepared dry soil with a layer of 2-3 cm.Then, you can additionally cover the bed with a film or add additional mulch in the form of peat (sawdust) to a height of 3-5 cm. Sowing is completed.

In the spring - at the beginning of summer, seedlings obtained from seeds of winter sowing are planted, cut into flower beds or beds to a permanent place. You can also do this: leave the strongest plants in your native garden, and plant the extra ones in the flower beds.

Aster care

Asters are unpretentious plants. There is nothing difficult in cultivation agrotechnology, even a beginner can handle it. The care is simple, does not require a lot of time and effort.

Asters care rules:

• Loosening the soil, weeding weedyaks. Loosening is recommended after watering or rain.
• Hilling stems. To speed up the development of the root system, it is required to spud the plants to a height of 6 cm even before the asters begin to branch.
• Moderate watering. Asters equally suffer from both drying out of the soil and waterlogging. You need to find a middle ground and water in moderation. In dry summers, it is recommended to water rarely, but abundantly. After watering, you need to loosen the soil.Please note! If you are late with watering, the aster flowers lose their decorative appearance, the petals curl up into a tube, and the stems droop.
• Fertilization. During the growing season, it is necessary to feed the plants 3 times a day: a week after planting the seedlings in the ground, during budding and at the beginning of flowering.
• Timely removal of faded inflorescences. Removing dried flowers stimulates the flowering duration of those already in full bloom.

Pruning asters for the winter

Aesthetic view of flower beds on the site. Autumn pruning of perennial flowers is carried out after the first frost. Until this time, not yet withered leaves and stems continue to feed the root system. Pruning begins in dry weather from late October to mid-November. Smooth stems 3-5 cm high are left above the soil surface, which are sprinkled with loose earth or sawdust. Young plants and non-frost-resistant species are sheltered for the winter.

Autumn pruning of the aerial part of herbaceous perennial plants is necessary because:

• Rotting of withered leaves can cause destruction of the root system and death of the plant;
• Spores of fungal microorganisms preserved under a layer of snow can infect young shoots;
• The above-ground part interferes with the cultivation of the land with fungicides (Bordeaux mixture, sulfur color and other chemicals for treating plants in order to protect them from fungal diseases), mulching the soil and sheltering the plants;
• Withered leaves and stems are a wintering place for polyphagous pests;
• Spring pruning can damage growth buds;
• The root system must accumulate strength for renewal in the spring;
• Saving time for spring work.

Fertilizing asters before winter

First stage. Top dressing is carried out as soon as rooting has occurred. It is easy to determine - outwardly, the flowers look healthy and strong, there is no yellowness and new leaves appear. Florists recommend feeding a mullein for the first time. Preparing the solution is simple: one part of the mullein is diluted into 10 parts of water. The best and most valuable fertilizer for asters is ash. For 1 sq. m for planting, it is necessary to add 200 - 300 g of wood ash and mix thoroughly with the ground.

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This fertilizer should be applied immediately after watering. If the ground is dry, there is a high probability of burning such fragile flowers. The solution is applied evenly over the entire surface. For convenience, it is bred in a bucket and watered from a bucket. Mullein is a very valuable fertilizer, saturated with useful components that are necessary for asters during the growth period. The flowers will grow stronger before our eyes, the bloom will be rich and voluminous.

Second phase. Top dressing is carried out 14 days after planting the seedlings (if the seeds were sown, then after their thinning). Prepare the following mixture:

• Ammonium nitrate - 25 grams.
• Mineral phosphorus fertilizer - 60 grams.
• Potassium sulfate - 15 grams.

I scatter the granules over the surface. The amount of substances is calculated for 1 sq. m.if you sprinkle the granules on dry soil, you should not expect a good effect. The soil should be wet before fertilizing, and you will also need to loosen it a little.

Propagation of asters by seeds

Asters reproduce using seeds or vegetatively. Seeds can be taken from annual or perennial varieties, they can remain viable for up to three years, but the older the seeds, the worse their germination. Selected seeds are usually planted in spring, when the soil warms up enough. When the air temperature reaches +20 degrees and the moistened soil, the seeds begin to germinate two to three days after planting. Seeds of perennial varieties of asters need to be sown in a greenhouse or open ground in autumn, but in this case, the aster will begin to bloom only in the second year after sowing the seeds.

Reproduction of asters by dividing the bush

Perennial asters can also be propagated by dividing the bush. Basically, this procedure is done in the spring to get flowers in the fall of the same year. The aster bush divides well into parts, however, when dividing, each new plant should have from three to five shoots, at least one bud with several roots. When planting plants in the garden, you need to maintain a distance of 20 to 40 centimeters between neighboring plants, underground shoots are covered with a 3-centimeter layer of soil. For good rooting of plants in new soil, you need to systematically water the asters.

Propagation of asters by cuttings

Varietal asters can be propagated by cuttings, such operations are carried out throughout the summer. As a cutting, take a piece of the top of the plant with a length of 5 to 7 centimeters. Selected cuttings are planted on beds with pre-prepared soil consisting of peat sand and earth in the following ratio 1: 1: 2. Cuttings should be developed in a greenhouse, which is set in a shaded area. The tops of the asters become full-fledged plants about a month after planting the cuttings.

Aster diseases

Fusarium, or fusarium wilting, is the most dangerous disease of asters, which is caused by the fungus Fusarium, which persists in the soil in the form of thick-walled resting spores for a very long time, not one year. Plants are infected through the soil. The mycelium penetrates through the roots and spreads along the vascular system of the plant, clogging it.

Jaundice of asters... Pests of asters, such as cicada and aphids, carry jaundice. At the same time, the leaf plate suffers. First, it begins to fade along the veins, after which complete chlorosis of the leaf sets in.

Powdery mildew... Powdery mildew is a fungal disease of asters. Its characteristic features are white bloom, drying and falling of leaves, curvature of peduncles and their death.

Blackleg. Blackleg is a fungal disease that is the reason why asters turn black. Saplings and seedlings begin to turn black, the root collar and stems rot, root rot begins, after which the plant dies. This fungus is common in acidic soils.

Rust of asters. A disease such as aster rust can cause the death of all flowers on the site. Rust spores are carried by the wind over long distances, and they tolerate wintering well, and in the spring they again infect healthy flowers.

Septoriasis... Another reason why asters disappear is septoria. This disease is characterized by the appearance of brown spots on the leaves, which greatly spoil the appearance of the aster.

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What flowers are planted before winter

Planting annuals. The most important rule is to sow in frozen soil. If you neglect this rule, the earth may not completely freeze and sprouts may sprout from the seeds during thaws. Plan the area before planting. Remember that during the spring thaw, your crops can be washed away by water. Remember also about the lighting of the site so that the flowers do not end up under the scorching sun. Seeds should be sown more densely than with spring planting. They start work at the end of September.The soil is dug up, the necessary fertilizers are applied and the furrows of the required size are made. After the soil freezes, seeds are applied. Next, a mixture of the following composition is poured: compost, humus, sand and peat. What annual flowers are planted before winter: Chinese aster, cornflower, delphinium, Iber is bitter, calendula officinalis, dare, lavatera, snapdragon, Malcolmia seaside, Mattiola two-sided.

With perennials, things are much simpler. Seed germination is much higher, which saves money and time. It is better to plant them in the period from mid to late October. It is necessary to prepare the land in September using the method already described. After the snow has melted, cover your flower bed with plastic wrap. This is necessary to protect the seeds from birds and spring rains. As soon as the first shoots sprout, remove the film. After the plants release the first few leaves, it's time to plant them. Perennials are suitable: aconite, alpine aster, buzulnik, gypsophila, bell, lupine, euphorbia, primrose, popovnik.

Despite the fact that the main time for sowing seeds is spring, most crops, including asters, can be sown before winter. Sowing in winter will help protect plants from most diseases and from their most important enemy, Fusarium, but for this it is necessary to start planting on time. After all, if you sow the seeds too early, during a warm autumn they will quickly sprout, which means that the very first frosts will nullify all efforts, and the flowers will simply freeze, never waiting for not only spring, but also a real winter.

When to sow?

According to the rules, you need to sow seeds before winter in the ground, which is already frozen. However, this does not always work out, because winter can catch flower growers suddenly. The optimal time for winter sowing of asters is about October, but not earlier.

How to prepare the landing site?

To play it safe from fusarium from all sides, it is not enough to sow asters before winter, it is also necessary to properly prepare the site. As you know, the fungus that causes the disease lives in the soil, so you need to take care of its destruction.

Most flower growers advise spilling the ground with boiling water to kill the fungus, but there is another rather simple and effective way. Having chosen a place for planting asters, you need to kindle a fire on it, for example, from fallen leaves. During burning, the ground under it will warm up, and pathogens will be destroyed.

The ash from the fire does not need to be thrown away - it will serve as a fertilizer.

When the ash has cooled, smooth it over the steamed area with your hands, being careful not to go beyond it, so as not to pick up an infection from the untreated soil.

During work, it is better not to use metal tools in the form of rakes or hoes - fungi from other areas may remain on it.

It may seem that the site for planting is too small, but in order to grow seedlings of asters, this is quite enough. The grown seedlings from such a bed will subsequently be transplanted to a permanent place.

How to sow aster?

Now you can start planting:

• draw shallow grooves directly on top of the ash with a wooden stick or branch (you do not need to mix the ash with the soil);
• put seeds in prepared beds, not very thickly;
• cover with earth.

If sowing is not carried out in frozen soil, it will be better to fill the grooves with a purchased loose substrate. When using ordinary soil, a crust forms on the beds, through which the seedlings may not break through.

Sowing under winter will allow you to get stronger plants that are resistant not only to diseases, but also to weather conditions. In addition, flowering occurs earlier in such crops.

Video instruction for winter sowing of asters

Recorded on 10/27/2013 Author Irina

Callistephus chinensis, or Annual Aster (Callistephus chinensis) is one of the most popular garden plants. Growing an aster has its own subtleties and secrets.In this article, we would like to talk in detail about sowing asters before winter, about the features, advantages and disadvantages of this method.

Aster annual was introduced into the culture in the middle of the 19th century; the homeland of this plant is the Far East, China, Mongolia and Korea. This is the only species of a monotypic genus. Asters are grown for the sake of their inflorescences, which are baskets consisting of reed and tubular flowers.

Bouquet of asters

Currently, there are about 4 thousand varieties of Chinese asters. They differ in both the color of the flowers and the shape of the inflorescences. There are asters with simple, double and semi-double inflorescences, their color varies from white to purple and maroon. First, needle, tubular and peony asters were bred, a little later, tiled, chrysanthemum and rosy varieties appeared.

In height, asters can be dwarf, medium-sized and tall. Dwarf varieties can be planted in rock gardens and ridges. A bouquet of flowers, made up of tall asters, looks especially bright and beautiful. Often such bouquets are given to teachers on September 1, because it is at this time that asters bloom especially magnificently. In the photo above you can see a bouquet of Gulliver asters.

One-year aster "Openwork placer"

Subwinter sowing of asters (as well as other annual and perennial plants) is carried out when the soil is frozen and freezing temperatures are established. Depending on the year in central Russia, this happens in late October - early November.

However, the landing site for sowing asters before winter must be prepared in advance. Choose a suitable area, dig it up well, loosen it and add nitroammofosk at the recommended dose. Purchase aster seeds.

Aster one-year "King size"

By the way, it often happens that flower growers have unseeded packets of seeds, the expiration date of which has already expired. So, podzimny sowing of such expired seeds gives better results than spring sowing. Indeed, before spring, the seeds can completely die in the dry warm air of the room. In addition, you can duplicate sowing in the spring if the seeds in the garden still do not sprout.

After you loosen the soil, make shallow grooves on it - before winter, the seeds are sown somewhat smaller than in spring. Indeed, during the winter the soil can be compacted, and in early spring the moisture reserves there will be large, even on the surface. Prepare humus or buy peat, put it in a frost-free room. Now it remains to wait for the sowing dates to come.

And now the frosts hit, you can sow aster seeds in the grooves and sprinkle them with peat or humus. It is not necessary to water podzimny crops. If there is a thaw, the seeds may germinate prematurely, then the seedlings will die.

In the spring, when the snow melts, it is possible (although not necessary) to cover the aster crops with foil. This will improve germination and the covered plants will grow faster and bloom two to three weeks earlier.

So, what are the benefits of sowing asters before winter? This is an opportunity to leave the window sills free in the spring. They are stronger and healthier plants. Asters that have emerged in the open field will have a powerful and deep root system. Such specimens are resistant to drought and heat, they are less sick.

There are also disadvantages in podzimnogo sowing. So, if there are frequent thaws in winter, and then severe frosts, then the seeds may germinate prematurely and die. The second minus is less germination. For winter sowing, more seeds are needed and they should be sown more often.

By the way, sowing of asters can be carried out in the snow. December - early January. In this case, the soil is prepared in the same way as for sowing in November. Only here the grooves can be omitted. When sowing in the snow, the snow in the garden bed is trampled underfoot, the beds are made right in it, the seeds are sown there and sprinkled on top with peat or humus. In principle, such sowing is even more reliable, in November it can still get warmer, and in January the probability of a strong thaw is much lower.

We hope that our article has convinced you to test the sowing of asters before winter and check the effectiveness of this method on your own experience.

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