Perennial asters are rather unpretentious plants. It is best to plant them in a well-lit place with nutritious soil. It is important that water does not stagnate there. Asters can also be planted in dark places, but they will never bloom purely in the shade. As for soils, this perennial flower is not too picky. Almost any soil is suitable for him. But best of all, he will feel himself only on sufficiently fertile, non-acidic, cultivated and drainage soils. Most varieties of perennial asters will like the introduction of organic fertilizers.
How to grow asters?
If you buy and plant seedlings in the spring , then in the fall you can admire the beautiful flowers. Since growing asters is not so difficult, it does not take much time. The result is not long in coming.
Asters can also be grown from seeds. Their seedlings will bloom, however, unlike seedlings, only in the third year. But with such reproduction, it may not be lucky, since only blue aster flowers grow from a mixture of different varieties. Therefore, the best option for reproduction will be the division of the bush in the spring. The main thing here is that each separated part contains a kidney and a couple of roots. It is advisable to divide and plant the aster once every five years. Otherwise, they will degenerate in one place. Their buds usually grow on top, and eventually become exposed. Because of this, they can freeze. Well, if that happened, then you need to dig out the whole bush and sort it out. There probably will be at least one root with a living kidney, which will give a chance to restore the plant.
If the bush is constantly growing in the same place, then after a while it begins to bloom with small flowers and loses its decorative effect. The stems begin to oppress each other. In autumn, the bushes should be trimmed, fertilized with compost on top, fallen leaves, and soil.
Each variety tolerates winter differently. If seedlings were bought in a store, but the behavior of the flower in winter is unknown, then, of course, it is better to cover them with something. During rains, perennial asters run the risk of contracting powdery mildew. Leaves having a white coating fall off and thereby expose the plant. It depends on how to grow asters and where to do it.
Aster Care
During a period of drought, flowers need abundant watering, especially at the time of bud ripening. But they are very sensitive to great moisture and simply do not tolerate waterlogged soils or groundwater nearby. If the soil is well fertilized, abundant watering and top dressing is carried out, then the asters will bloom and delight the eyes without any problems until the frosts. Otherwise, the leaves begin to turn yellow ahead of time, the number of blooms decreases. Therefore, the main thing is to know how to grow asters correctly.
It is advisable to feed flowers mainly with mineral fertilizers, which positively affect their color (it becomes brighter). The growth of bushes improves. It also affects the abundance and duration of flowering. It will be good to make phosphate fertilizers and lime. As for the variety, it is more practical to choose late ones, because in summer, when many other plants are actively flowering, asters do not shine with beauty. But in the fall they become a decoration of the gardens. They are not afraid of frost and grow at full strength.