Disease and pest control
Astra is a culture highly resistant to infection with various diseases and parasites, but this is not a reason to relax. It is necessary to constantly monitor the appearance of the plant, notice the smallest changes in color, growth retardation or signs of wilting. A disease noticed in time can be cured.
For example, drying and yellowing of leaves, dried flowers and stems indicate a fungal disease called fusarium. To save an infected plant, a solution of the drug "Fundazol" is used, which is used to completely process the bush.
If chlorosis joins these symptoms, the growth retardation of trunks and kidneys is a clear sign of aster infection with a virus that aphids and cicadas carry. There are no drugs to fight viruses, but to prevent infection of the rest of the bushes, it is necessary to destroy the diseased plant.
Powdery mildew is another disease of shrub asters. At the same time, whitish-gray spots are revealed on the leaves. To remove it, take a tincture of a mullein and dilute it in water in a ratio of 1: 3. It is sprayed with a bush until the dew recedes.
A variety of pests, such as plowed slugs and snails, moth moth caterpillars, meadow bugs, and spider mites, are also dangerous to plants. To combat them, use specific drugs that can be bought in special stores. They are introduced into the soil, dug up and left, periodically monitoring the effectiveness of this measure.
Meet the one-year-old aster
These are the same asters that you are used to seeing in bouquets - with large shaggy flowers on a long stem.
Annual asters are not asters at all, but plants of the Callistephus genus.
Annual asters sprout well from seeds sown in the soil. But admiring the flowers is possible only closer to September. But asters of early varieties, grown through seedlings, bloom in early July.
Annual asters must from time to time (at least once every 2 years, and preferably annually) change the "registration" on the site.
They do not like to be planted in the same place that gladioli, tulips or carnations used to occupy. But with marigolds or calendula they alternate perfectly.
Caring for asters in a flower bed
In general, agricultural technology related to caring for asters after planting does not present any particular difficulties for the gardener. To have an attractive and healthy plant in your garden, you need to do the following:
- Despite the fact that plants can grow well in the shade, for young seedlings it is worth ensuring maximum contact with the sun. This applies to species that are planted outdoors, as well as crops that are grown on a balcony or indoor windowsill.
- As practice shows, for the growth and flowering of asters, an air temperature in the range from 18C to 25 degrees is required. This nuance is especially true for young cultures. For adult plants, there is no urgent need to observe such temperature nuances, since healthy asters are able to bloom even with fluctuations in thermometer marks and frost.
- Often it is not recommended to water asters, since waterlogging of the earth in the place of their rooting can lead to the development of various ailments. Watering should be regular, as the soil dries up. The aster does not need spraying of the aerial part. In summer, 1 square meter will need no more than 3 buckets of water. In the fall, the frequency and volume of watering can be reduced. After each moistening, the soil should be loosened.
- Plants love fertilizers, in particular, mineral complexes. Also, gardeners can use organic matter in the form of chicken manure, diluted with water.This type of fertilizer will be relevant for soil with a low content of useful microelements. The first introduction of fertilizers is carried out after 7 days, the subsequent ones will fall on the bud-laying phase, as well as during the flowering period of asters.
Asters are unpretentious flowers. They require very little attention.
Watering is carried out approximately once a week
To make the flower bed look well-groomed, regular weeding is required. During the formation of the buds, it is necessary to spud the bushes by about 7 cm. This will increase the abundance of flowering.
Adult bushes are fertilized in spring and autumn. To do this, you can use humus, compost or commercially available complex fertilizers.
Diseases and pests
Asters are susceptible to a variety of diseases. They can be infected with 24 viruses. Signs of the disease can be seen on stems, foliage, and flowers.
Affected plant
Fusarium
A dangerous disease for asters is fusarium. Infection comes from the soil. The causative agent is the fungus Fusarium. He is very tenacious. In the ground, he can wait for his moment for several years.
The first signs appear on foliage. They turn yellow, curl and fall off. The stems are covered with dark spots. Sometimes spores of the fungus appear on the surface, they look like a pinkish bloom.
A feature of this disease is the defeat of one part of the plant. Most often, they are affected during the formation of buds.
Favorable conditions for the development of the disease:
- Crusting on the topsoil.
- The optimum temperature for the fungus is 20 - 27 degrees.
- Dense plantations.
- Heavy, acidic soils.
- Excess fertilizer.
The affected bush must be destroyed. There are no effective methods of treatment, but it can infect neighboring plants. The land needs to be processed with foundation.
Blackleg
It is manifested by blackening of seedlings, seedlings and the base of the stem of an adult plant. Then they start to rot. Young shoots die in 2-3 days.
The disease is in the soil, from which it spreads. It is caused by moist soil and dense crops.
Prevention of this infection will be disinfection of the ground before planting. To do this, spill it with a thick solution of potassium permanganate.
Diseased plants must be removed. Sprinkle the surface of the soil with wood ash. Reduce watering frequency. Thin out dense plantings. If possible, transplant the plants into a new substrate.
Jaundice
This virus is carried by cicadas and aphids. Lightened veins of leaves are a sign. The buds turn green, the plant stops growing.
To fight a disease, its vectors must be removed. Spray the bushes with special agents, for example, priming. Affected plants cannot be saved; they must be burned.
Brown leaf spot
It is also called septoria. It appears during the period of bud formation. Brown spots appear on the leaves. They gradually dry up and fall off.
Weakened plants, which are not looked after according to the rules, are susceptible to misfortune. Spraying with a solution of Bordeaux liquid or copper oxychloride helps.
Beautiful tree aster bush
In addition to diseases, aster bushes can be attacked by harmful insects:
Plowed slug
It feeds on the leaves and buds of asters. You can fight them by scattering chemicals between the bushes. They are afraid of superphosphate-based products. You can sprinkle lime around the perimeter of the planting.
Spider mites
They settle on the inside of the foliage. Signs are yellowed leaves that are rapidly withering away. Infusions of onion and garlic help fight. It is recommended to add soap to the solution. Use this tool to process bushes. Especially the lower part of the sheet plate.
Sunflower moth
Its second name is aster blizzard. These are gray butterflies with speckled specks on their wings. In summer they lay eggs in aster flowers. Young caterpillars feed on pollen, growing up and damaging the inflorescences. As a prophylaxis, sunflower and complex-flowered plants should not be planted next to asters.Caterpillars are collected by hand.
FABULOUS ASTERS IN AN INCREDIBLY EASY WAY OF LANDING! SUPER WAY!
Perennial asters: description of 13 species, care and planting at home, methods of reproduction and growing from seeds (Photo & Video) + Reviews
8
Total Score
Output
Ease of care
8.5
Appearance
8
Bloom
8
Smell
8.5
Originality
7
Pest and disease control
Small insects - aphids, midges, spider mites - can not only harm plants, but also bring fungal diseases and jaundice to asters. If small children do not have access to the aster bushes, then long-acting insecticides are used to control pests.
You can use harmless folk methods: spraying with infusion of dandelion roots (400 g insist on a water bath for 4-5 hours in 1 liter of water) or mustard-vinegar solution (10 liters of water + 100 ml of vinegar + 500 g of mustard powder).
Parts of the aster bushes affected by powdery mildew, rust or jaundice are removed and burned. Plants are sprayed with drugs designed to combat these diseases.
When signs of black leg disease appear in the roots and on the lower parts of the stems, it is necessary to dig up and destroy the diseased plant, disinfect the soil. Weeds are regularly weed around the bushes with asters. Waterlogging of the soil must not be allowed.
Perennial aster flower: plant species
According to the flowering period, perennial aster plants are divided into 2 groups:
Early flowering - in May-June (as alpine aster)
Late flowering: shrub aster (in September-October) and Italian aster (throughout the summer, sometimes until the very frost)
New Belgian aster belongs to tall
Its bushes reach a height of 0.9–1.4 m. This type of aster is very decorative. Its leaves are dark green, and the stems are reddish. This type of aster flower must be tied up, since the branches are scattered in all directions. It also needs to be protected from the wind. Many varieties of the Novobelgian aster grow strongly, therefore, an insulating material (roofing material, etc.) is laid in the ground around them.
The flowers of the New Belgian aster can be simple, semi-double and double
Their coloration is white and blue
Lilac or burgundy
Among the terry varieties of this type of aster, Beauty of Calval stands out.
This aster forms a stable bush up to 1 m high and blooms luxuriantly with large double flowers that look like a ball. Flowering continues until snow appears.
Alpine Aster (Aster Alpinus L.) Perennial herbaceous compact plant with horizontally branched rhizome. Stems up to 30 cm high, strong, slightly pubescent. Basal leaves of this species of asters are oblong, spatulate, pubescent; stem - small, linear, sessile. They do not die off for the winter and go green under the snow. Ligulate flowers are marginal, arranged in 1 row, there are white, lilac, purple; tubular - in the center, yellow.
As you can see in the photo, the flowers of this type of aster form inflorescences - single baskets 4-5 cm in diameter:
Blooms in late May - mid June. Varieties are usually distinguished by more abundant flowering. The fruit is an achene with a hairy tuft. Seeds ripen in late July - August.
Numerous varieties have been bred, differing in the color of reed flowers (white, blue, light purple, dark purple, pink and others).
Aster New England, or American (Aster Novae-Angliae L.) Homeland - the central and eastern regions of North America.
Perennial herbaceous plants. Stems are straight, branching, densely pubescent, form sprawling bushes up to 200 cm high and 80 cm in diameter. Leaves are lanceolate or oblong-lanceolate. Reed flowers are carmine, pink, blue, violet and purple; tubular (central) - yellow, reddish or purple.
Flowers of these perennial asters are collected in inflorescences - baskets 3-4 cm in diameter, on a well-developed bush there are up to 20-30 of them.All varieties of New England aster bloom in autumn, in September - October, and in the south, if the weather permits, bloom in November.
Anderson's North American aster (Aster andersonii) is a low-growing plant (no more than 5 cm in height) with creeping stems. The species is distinguished by its rapid growth, therefore it is recommended to use it as a ground cover.
In the Italian aster (Aster amellus), lilac, pink and blue flowers are collected in numerous shields with a diameter of 4 cm. The height of the plant is 40-60 cm. Leaves die off for the winter. Many garden forms have been bred with flowers of the most varied colors.
Shrub aster (Aster dumosus) is a compact plant up to 30 cm high with dark green lanceolate leaves and pink, blue or purple flowers, collected in shields.
These photos show the types and varieties of perennial asters:
How to properly care for asters
The soil. Asters grow best in loamy soils with a neutral reaction and high nutrient content. In addition, the soil must be water and air permeable, since these flowers do not tolerate "wet feet". For the same reason, you should not plant asters in lowlands or in areas with a high groundwater table.
Accommodation in a flower garden. Depending on the type, the flowers are planted according to the scheme 20 × 30 or 50 × 80 cm. It all depends on the size of the asters. Spreading large shrubs should be planted as far apart as possible so that they are not "crowded".
Watering. Although asters do not like very moist soil, they require regular watering (especially during dry periods). But remember that you can water these crops only as the soil dries out.
Top dressing. The first feeding of flowers should be carried out immediately after rooting. To do this, you can use a solution of mullein, which is prepared in a ratio of 1:10 (1 part mullein to 10 parts of water).
The second feeding is carried out 2 weeks after planting seedlings in open ground (if asters were grown through seedlings) or after thinning the seedlings (if asters were planted in a greenhouse). This time it is worth using about 25 g of ammonium nitrate, about 60 g of superphosphate and about 15 g of potassium sulfate per 1 square meter of soil.
Asters need the third feeding during the budding period. At this time, it is possible to "help" the asters to bloom with the help of superphosphate and potassium sulfate, taken at the rate of 60 g per 1 sq. M.
At the very beginning of flowering, the fourth feeding is carried out using the same fertilizers as for the third. Granules can be either scattered on the flower bed or dissolved in water.
Flowers should be fed immediately after watering.
Protection against diseases and pests. Asters are not too problematic flowers, but they are still susceptible to the common fusarium or black leg disease in garden flowers. Also, aphids can often be found on plants.
To prevent this from happening, it is important to carry out prevention against diseases and pests
The most dangerous diseases and pests of asters - photos, descriptions, control measures
We save asters from garden misfortunes. How to protect flowers from disease and insect pests?
Mulching. Mulching the soil around them helps to significantly simplify the care of asters. A layer of mulch should be laid under the plants immediately after planting - then the ground will not be covered with a crust, weeds will not grow on it, and the necessary moisture will be retained in the upper layers of the soil.
Pruning. To extend the flowering period of asters and preserve the decorative effect of the bush, faded inflorescences must be removed from the plants in a timely manner.
Correct and balanced care, as well as the correct choice of variety, will allow you to admire the flowering of asters from the beginning of summer to late autumn.
If you're still looking for a way to spice up your garden, be sure to check out these wonderful flowers.
Reproduction
Asters can be grown from seeds or by dividing the bush
Seed method
The seeds can be purchased at the store or harvested independently in the fall, after ripening.This method is reliable because the seeds are highly germinating.
Aster seeds
To collect the seed, you need to leave one of the first flowers. When it withers, it must be cut and wrapped in a paper bag. Place in a dry, warm place. So, they will ripen.
The disadvantage of own harvested seeds is that hybrid plants lose varietal qualities. They may not grow the flowers that I would like to see.
You can grow flowers in a seedling and seedless way.
Growing seedlings
Seeds are sown in March - early April. For them, flower pots or special containers for seedlings are suitable.
Sowing is carried out in a universal substrate. It is necessary to deepen the seeds by about 0.5 cm. The first watering is carried out immediately after sowing, with a pinkish solution of potassium permanganate. It will disinfect both the soil and the planting material itself.
Then cover with plastic wrap and put in a warm place. The temperature should be at least +20 degrees.
Seedlings of asters
Seedlings appear in a week. After that, the seedlings must be placed in a well-lit place. Arrange additional lighting if necessary. This is done to prevent the sprouts from stretching. The temperature drops to +18 degrees.
After the first full-fledged leaf is formed, you need to pick. In cases where the sprouts are still stretched out. When transplanting, they are deepened into the soil up to the leaf.
After a week after planting, you need to start fertilizing the seedlings. This is done with a complex fertilizer. Further, feeding is carried out at weekly intervals.
Can be planted outdoors in May. Seedlings calmly tolerate frosts down to -4 degrees. She does not need to be covered.
Before planting asters, the soil must be fertilized with rotted manure, or compost. Wouldn't hurt, wood ash. It is added at the rate of 150 gr. per square meter.
It is best to transplant seedlings in the evening. Observing a distance of 30 cm between future bushes.
Watering should be moderate, only in dry times. Dry earth will serve as a signal of the need for moistening.
Seedless way
This method involves planting seeds directly in open ground. You can sow them both in spring and autumn.
Spring planting:
1Prepare the soil: dig up and add fertilizer.
2 Make grooves up to 1 cm deep. Sow seeds and cover with soil on top.
3Sowings are moistened and mulched.
4After 2 leaves are formed on the seedlings, they must be thinned out. An interval of 15 cm is left between the plants.
Planting in the fall:
1 It is necessary to plant seeds in late autumn, because they must not be allowed to sprout before the onset of spring.
2 Grooves are made, seeds are sown and covered with earth.
3Can sow on snow in winter and cover with earth on top. This method can be planted in December.
4In early spring planting should be covered with foil.
5After the emergence of seedlings, they are thinned out or planted.
Despite the good germination of seeds, they also have an expiration date. When stored for more than two years, they lose their ability to germinate by 50%.
Vegetative way
Asters can be propagated vegetatively by dividing the bush or using cuttings
These methods allow for the preservation of the variety, in contrast to the seeds. Since the bred hybrids, planted with their own seeds, do not retain the varietal affiliation.
Dividing the bush
You can divide the bushes at any time. Asters have a good survival rate. But the best time is still early spring.
The bush can be dug up and divided
But you can carry out the procedure without a complete excavation. Cut the root system into several parts with a sharp bayonet shovel.
In turn, the excavated parts can also be divided. The main thing is that each section has from 1 to 5 shoots. Bushes of flowers grow well. When planting, a distance of 30 cm must be observed between them.
Propagation by cuttings
The optimal time for cuttings is May-August.
The upper parts of the shoots are cut off. There must be at least three leaves on the handle
Rooting is carried out in the ground.They can be planted in a purchased universal substrate, or mixed garden soil with peat and sand. The proportion should be 2: 1: 1.
Cover the top of the planting with a film. Keep them in a shaded place. The root system of asters is formed within a month. After that, they can be transplanted into open ground to a permanent place.
Pansies: 10 types, a description of the process of growing from seeds in the open field and seedlings at home, the use of flowers (60+ Photos & Videos) + Reviews
Curly annuals for the climate of central Russia
Kobea or bell-shaped grapes
Annual flowers of Kobei
The flowers of the plant are bell-shaped on long pedicels of purple, less often white. Leaves with tendrils at the ends, with which the vine clings to the supports. Blooms from mid June to October. It grows quickly with sufficient light, so the soil must be rich in micronutrients. Does not have frost resistance. Well suited for quickly decorating three-dimensional surfaces.
Morning glory
Annual flowers of Morning glory
In common parlance - bindweed. This herbaceous annual or perennial decorative vine is ideal for flower screens. It blooms profusely, begins in mid-June and lasts until autumn frosts. Some varieties have a pleasant aroma. Flowers, similar to the pipe of a gramophone, bloom until the middle of the day, then close, have a diameter of up to 20 cm and live only 1 day. New blue or crimson buds bloom every day, and wither by evening. The leaves are heart-shaped or openwork, and the stems grow up to 8 m. There are about 25 cultivated species. Prefers sunny areas and abundant watering.
Morning glory is poisonous.
Dolichos or hyacinth beans
Dolichos annual flowers
It is also called curly lilac. Fading, forms wide, flattened purple pods. All parts of the plant are decorative: flowers, leaves, fruits. Liana grows up to three meters in length. The stem is covered with triple leaves with a pointed tip, the color of which can be green or lilac. Inflorescences are small, pale lilac, similar to butterflies. It blooms before frost, increasing its decorative effect by autumn, when the vine is especially beautiful.
A useful property of dolichos roots is known - to accumulate nitrogen and keep it in the soil.
The plant does not tolerate low temperatures and requires a place well lit by the sun and regular watering.
Sweet pea
Annual flowers sweet pea
The peculiarity of the plant is its amazing aroma, which intensifies in the evening. Well suited for decorating terraces, gazebos, balconies, feels great in pots. The root system is pivotal and branched, it can go 150 cm into the soil. Liana is tenacious, attached to the support with modified antennae leaves. The flowers, located along the entire length of the shoot, resemble small sailboats in a wide range of colors. A faded bud forms pods. Flowering continues until frost. Prefers sunny places, fertile, well-moisturized and organic fertilized soil, but without overflow.
Fruitberry
Annual flowers
Not picky about watering and soil. Requires a lot of sunlight. The plant is elegant with bright yellow flowers and grows up to 5 m in length. In just a month, it will twist a five-meter wall, so it is better to periodically feed it. The droop is often used to decorate arches.
Possible growing problems
An attentive gardener immediately sees external changes in his favorite flower.
Leaf problems
If the leaves began to turn yellow, turn brown, curl and dry out, then this signals improper care or the development of the disease.
First of all, you need to make sure that the flower is not overdried. You can try to change the soil moisture regime. If black longitudinal stripes are added to the listed factors, then this indicates the development of fusarium.This disease appears if the soil was excessively moistened, and there was stagnation of water in the root system. In this case, it is impossible to save the plant.
The appearance of tuberous spots also indicates the development of late blight. To overcome the disease, it is necessary to cut off all affected areas and sprinkle with activated carbon
Pests
Aphids, thrips and cicadas are the main pests for asters. They suck the sap from the plant and are disease carriers. In order to prevent the appearance and reproduction of insects, it is necessary to treat the flowers with Fitoverm solution or other insecticides.
The earwig is able to gnaw not only the leaves of the flower, but also the stems and buds. To drive away the insect, you need to regularly remove weeds and loosen the soil.
Important! When the first signs of a spider mite are found, the leaves and stems of the plant are recommended to be treated with soapy water.
Diseases
Mosaic disease manifests itself as yellow streaks on the leaves. After that, chlorosis develops, and the plant stops developing. To overcome this disease, it is recommended to treat the bush with Aktelik or Peritrum.
Aster rust is a fungus native to pine needles. The disease is characterized by the appearance of swellings on the lower part of the leaves. They are filled with rusty spores. For treatment, use a 1% solution of Bordeaux liquid. Processing is carried out after 10 days. If the disease is detected late, then the bush is almost impossible to save.
Signs of improper care
Astra, although an unpretentious plant, will nevertheless immediately tell its owner about improper care. First of all, the leaves of the plant signal this. They can fade or change color. If you do not take action on time, then improper care will affect flowering. The inflorescences will be scanty and pale. In addition, the plant will have few flowers.
Aster
Many different types of asters have been bred. Before buying a particular variety, it is recommended that you familiarize yourself with the description of the flower in more detail. General principles and rules sometimes may not be suitable for individual hybrids.
If the flower bed is constantly being updated, then it is recommended to pay attention to annual varieties.
Follow-up care
The plant prefers sunny and semi-shady areas, fertile and moist soil. Needs summer foliar feeding. Reacts well to autumn pruning. It should be done every 2-3 years to rejuvenate the plant.
For further care of the seedlings, you just need to water them sometimes, huddle them up, periodically loosen the ground and clear it of weeds. It is worth taking care in advance that there is enough light in the area where the aster grows, but there is no direct sunlight. Do not allow excessive oxidation or alkalization of the soil. After the plant has bloomed, the wilted inflorescences should be removed. The bush should be pruned every 2-3 years.
Asters live well in conditions of a lack of moisture, but their excess is extremely negative. It should be watered regularly, about once a week. Under the condition of rainy weather, you can water the bush several times a month.
Top dressing
To support the plant before the new flowering period, you need to alkalize the soil to prevent excessive oxidation. This procedure is also done before planting flowers and after they have completely faded. Lime is diluted at the rate of 100 g of powder for 3-5 buckets of water.
