Aster flowers, which used to be planted as medicinal plants, have now become charming herbaceous flowers, which can also be raised in small pots, and can be maintained in a perennial flowering state, which is very ornamental.
The aster flowers are particularly delicate and charming, and they all look a little fresh. Aster flower originally grew in the northeast region of China, hardiness is certainly very strong (more than ten degrees below zero can survive, branches and leaves dry, but rhizomes can be re-grown in the next year), it prefers a humid environment, afraid of over-drying.
Aster flowers grow well with proper light, and they are an herbaceous flower of the Asteraceae family, distributed in the Americas, Asia and Europe, and they actually have many different varieties. Aster flowers are not too tall, generally growing to 15 to 90 cm tall.
Some dwarf aster flower varieties can be raised in pots, its flowers are not too gorgeous, just a cluster of tiny daisy-like flowers, small flowers are very delicate and small, as long as properly groomed can often bloom.
Aster flowers in Our country are generally used as landscape plants, or planted in pots to watch, in addition to the varieties of purple flowers, it also has some blue, pink and white flower varieties, can maintain perennial flowering, in the summer and autumn flowering is the most brilliant.
In autumn, the flowers of the Aster are about to wither, indicating that winter is coming. After the flowers wither, the part of the branches and leaves will wither, and it must be cut off in time to remove all the withered branches and leaves. After the warm weather in the following year, new branches and leaves will grow, just like the hardy chrysanthemums.
Every year after the spring is warm, these aster flowers will re-grow and flower, and after the flowers bloom, they will attract a large number of insects, including various beneficial insects, such as bees, butterflies, moths, etc., which are pollinating insects. When its seeds are bred, they can attract birds.
1. Environmental attention to conservation:
Aster flower is a very ornamental and practical herbal flower. Many people do not raise aster flowers, in fact, the environment is not suitable for the cause, for example, there are some plant varieties that are relatively tall, after its branches grow, you must avoid too much rain, and do not plant in places where the wind is too strong, otherwise their stems and leaves will be easily blown.
In addition, in the hot summer, we must pay attention to avoid excessive exposure, otherwise the leaves at the bottom of the branches will dry up and fall, the branches are bare, it looks like a withered state, and the whole ornamentality will drop several grades.
2. Shelter from rain and ventilation in summer
Summer is also a rainy season, to avoid excessive humidity, do not often wet the leaves, otherwise the leaves will grow some unsightly spots, and even infected with powdery mildew.
In the summer, if there is more rain, coupled with the high ambient temperature, although it will not make the aster flowers bloom, it will affect the overall appearance. In the summer, it is necessary to avoid excessive rain, avoid exposure to the sun, and ensure that the environment has good ventilation.
We can also plant aster flowers in pots with a diameter of more than 25 cm.
3. Post-flower treatment
After the flowers have withered, they need to be cut off in time to avoid planting seeds, so that they can re-bloom after flowering. After the flowers are fully open, the remaining flowers can be cut off, and the branches can be properly pruned if they are too long.
Raising aster flowers in pots can limit its growth and avoid excessive spread of the roots. This is also a key point in raising aster flowers, pot maintenance does not need to change the pot frequently, generally about one or two years, to change it to a larger specification of the container can be.
4. Sowing and seedling growth
Aster flowers can be cultivated by the method of sowing seeds, the seeds are evenly sprinkled on the soil surface, and then covered with a thin layer of soil half a centimeter thick to keep the soil moist. Aster flower seeding and seedlings can be mixed with peat soil with perlite in a 2:1 or 1:1 ratio.
In the later stage, pay attention to regular watering, keep the potting soil water, maintain a certain air humidity, maintain the temperature between 20 and 22 degrees, and maintain the environment ventilation. Soon the seedlings will grow, and after the seedlings grow out, they must slowly see the light and gradually increase the light.
Seedlings grow to more than 4 true leaves after. It is necessary to appropriately intersperse seedlings and not to plant them too densely.
5. Pay attention to the later maintenance
In the later stages, when conserving aster flowers, they can be changed once a year in the spring, and they can be propagated in separate plants and replanted with the growing side branches.
Weeds in pots should be removed in time to avoid competing for nutrients. The branches of the aster flowers maintained by the pot are too long, and they can be cut short directly to promote branching, and they can bloom more. The cut branches can be re-inserted in the potting soil, and they can grow again.
When the branches and leaves are excessively vigorous, they should also be properly sheared, which is to ensure ventilation and light transmission between plants, and also to reduce pests and diseases.
Aster flowers in the daily maintenance period should pay attention to thin fertilizer diligent application, do not give too thick fertilizer, if too much fertilizer, will lead to excessive growth of branches and leaves, can not flower, generally every two or three weeks or more to supplement a thin fertilizer water, fertilization concentration is usually 1/2 ~ 1/4 or so.
When the weather is relatively hot in the summer, the maintenance of aster flower pots should pay attention to moving to a shaded place in the afternoon, and give more direct light in the morning and evening.
In the summer, increase the frequency of watering, especially in the case of better weather, strong light and environmental ventilation, the soil should be kept dry and watered thoroughly, but avoid soil water. Aster flowers prefer slightly drier soils, but are not too drought tolerant and need to be replenished regularly.
6. Summer pest and disease protection
In summer, aster flower pots are susceptible to fungal diseases, the most common of which is powdery mildew, which does not damage the flowers, but will form some grayish-white powder on the leaves.
If the ambient humidity is too high, coupled with poor ventilation, it is easy to breed powdery mildew, pay attention to the leaves do not have long-term residual moisture, the soil should not be excessively wet.
When watering normally, directly into the pot soil to avoid wetting the leaves. Also pay attention to regular inspection of plants, be sure to find infected leaves, such as infected with powdery mildew, you must cut off the leaves infected with the disease, and timely spray Daisen zinc or methyl tolbuzin solution, spray every 10 days or so, spray two or three times to remove the disease.
summary:
Overall, the aster flower is still a relatively good-looking ornamental plant, which does not need too much care, that is, it is necessary to pay attention to occasional watering to avoid excessive drought. In winter, there is no need to be afraid of frostbite, and the branches and leaves wither and grow back in the next year.
Usually, the soil we use to cultivate aster flowers should be loose and breathable, have good drainage ability and certain water retention. Generally, it is mixed with compost soil and saprophyll soil, and then some coarse sand is added appropriately, and the soil should be sterilized before use.