Asters are more of a frugal perennial. And yet they need a dose of care to make ends meet and bloom profusely every year. What is really essential and what can you do without?

Asters need a lot of water, especially during the flowering period

When should you water asters more?

Before the onset of flowering, you should water your asters more if there is no rain. Otherwise, flowers later are in short supply. Asters in pots should also be watered abundantly.

Do asters tolerate dry periods?

Asters do not like dry soil. Therefore, keep the substrate moderately moist and water the perennials in dry and persistent heat! Rainwater or lime-free water is best suited for watering.

Which fertilizers are suitable and how much should you fertilize?

Asters need a lot of nutrients for a long-lasting and exuberant bloom:

  • Fertilize potted plants every two weeks from April to August
  • choose phosphorus-rich fertilizer for potted plants
  • Provide outdoor plants with organic fertilizer
  • fertilize in spring
  • like to fertilize in autumn

Do asters need winter protection?

Most of the asters are hardy in our latitudes. Only a few exceptions are more sensitive to frost. As a precaution, you should protect your asters over the winter. All you have to do is cover the perennial with compost. This kills two birds with one stone (fertilization and winter protection).

Which diseases are more common?

There are two diseases that asters commonly attack if poorly cared for. One is aster wilt. You can recognize this disease by brown discolored and withered hanging leaves. Often only a change of location helps. Powdery mildew can also occur. Spraying with a decoction of field horsetail helps against this.

How to cut asters correctly?

When cutting, note the following:

  • Cut away old blooms regularly to encourage new blooms
  • Flowers are suitable for vase cutting
  • Cut back the entire plant by a third after flowering
  • It is best to prevent self-seeding (conservation of strength)
  • cut back to just above the ground in autumn

tips

You should divide your asters every two to three years. This gives them a kind of energy boost and eventually blooms profusely again.

Category:

Vegetable garden