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It is rather difficult to name the optimal conditions for planting asters, it all depends on varietal characteristics. Early varieties are sown first. They look great on flower beds and alpine slides. Seeds are sown from the second decade of March and in the summer, by the end of July, they delight with their flowers. Seeds of late varieties for seedlings are sown from the third decade of April to the second decade of May. They are the ones who go to bouquets by September 1, bloom until frost.
Agrotechnics
In order for the asters to please with an abundance of flowers, you should choose the right place for planting. It is good if it is a sunny place, but they grow well in partial shade. Their appearance deteriorates when the sun is very scorching, which should be taken into account when choosing a place for planting. The soil should not be waterlogged, and the area should be well ventilated.
The soil needs to be light, with a neutral balance; fertility should be taken care of in the fall. To do this, manure is introduced into the soil at the rate of 3 kg per 1 square meter. Sand is also added. In the spring, the soil needs to be fertilized again, it is dug up and superphosphate is added. The rate per square meter is 20-40 g. Immediately before planting, the soil is loosened, weeds are selected and well moistened.
How to feed asters?
Subsequent care of asters consists in timely watering, loosening, weed removal and feeding. How to feed asters? The choice of fertilizer depends on the feeding time. Organic fertilizers are not recommended.
Subject to these conditions of care, the plant will delight with large bright flowers. In the process of leaving, do not forget about diseases. For the prevention of most diseases, plants are sprayed with preparations containing copper, potassium, zinc and boric acid. In particular, if it is noticed that the leaf has begun to wrinkle, it should be treated with a pest control. For these purposes, use "Iskra" or "Inta-vir".
Why do asters need fertilizer
How to fertilize asters in the open field and what means to use for this? The first top dressing in the open field is necessary for a good plant survival in a new place. At the same time, young flowers will get stronger, the root system will receive an impetus for development. Also, the first feeding will give rise to the formation of branching, which will provide a large number of flowers.
Top dressing of asters for abundant flowering - ordinary ash. It has a positive effect on flower formation. Aster will throw out more buds.
To maintain the vitality of the flower during the budding period, feeding is also necessary. Fertilization at this time stimulates the development of the root system, has a positive effect on the size of flowers, and strengthens the immune system.
Fertilizers for asters
Usually, during the season after planting in open ground, 4 asters are fertilized. It is best to use mineral fertilizers, since organic fertilizers can provoke the development of diseases. How to fertilize aster outdoors?
The first top dressing in the open field
After planting in open ground, as soon as the plant takes root, the leaves stop turning yellow, the plants need to be fed. How to feed asters for growth? In this case, mullein is used for feeding. It is diluted in water in a ratio of 1:10.
At the same time, ash can be used as fertilizer. It can be applied up to two times per season. Consumption rate - 300 g of ash per 1 sq. meter.
The first top dressing in the open field
Second feeding
2 weeks after planting the seedlings in the flower bed, a second feeding of asters is carried out. If asters were planted by sowing seeds in open ground, then the time of the second feeding is after thinning.
In this case, superphosphate and potassium sulfate are used. The consumption rate for the first is 50 g per sq. m., the second - 10 g. per sq. m.
Before fertilizing, the site is watered and loosened, only then granules are scattered on the surface of the earth. You can also prepare a solution from the specified amount of fertilizer and water it under the root. Watering must be done carefully so that the concentrated solution does not get on the green part of the flowers.
Superphosphate
Third feeding
During the budding period, it is time for the third feeding. How to fertilize aster at this moment? At this time, phosphorus fertilizer is applied - 60 g per 1 sq. m. This not only stimulates the growth of the root system, but also promotes the emergence of new shoots.
To protect against various diseases and to increase the defenses of the plant, potassium sulfate-based fertilizing is used. Prepare a solution: dissolve 60 g in 10 liters of water. drug. The resulting solution is poured over areas with aster.
Third feeding
Fourth feeding
During the period of active flowering, the fourth feeding is carried out. It is carried out in the same way as the third one. Fertilizers are applied in the same amount and in the same composition.
Also, Humate can be used to feed the plant at any stage of the above. It is a versatile fertilizer that has a positive effect on plant growth and development.
Florist tips
Experienced flower growers have their own tricks for growing asters. They relate not only to feeding, but to all care in general. Here are some folk secrets:
- In order for the flowers to be large, and the plant itself to grow strong and strong, even before planting, the seeds are soaked for 6 hours in a solution of zinc chloride. For its preparation, 0.6 g is diluted in 1 liter of water. drug.
- To increase the duration of flowering, aster is sown directly into the ground. It is worth considering that in this case it will not be possible to obtain seeds for further reproduction.
- In open ground, seeds are sown around the beginning of May, then shoots appear in late May - early June.
- You can sow seeds in late autumn, even the month of January is suitable for sowing seeds. A prerequisite is the frostbite of the soil, since in this case the seeds will not germinate until spring, which means they will not die.
