Astra is annual, or Chinese

Asters are the most popular cut flowers of the second half of summer and autumn. They are valued for exceptional durability in cut form. In ordinary room conditions, they remain in water for two to three weeks.

Propagated asters by sowing seeds in the soil and seedlings grown in greenhouses, nurseries or greenhouses. Seeds of asters when stored in room conditions after two years lose their germination. When stored in the refrigerator, their viability significantly increases. That the seeds do not dry, they after careful drying are placed in closed jars or polyethylene bags.

For growing seedlings, seeds are sown in the second half of March or early April. The seedlings are planted in the middle of May, timed landing to a dull day. Distance at planting: between rows - 60, between plants - 25 centimeters.

Good results are obtained by sowing in the ground under winter "and also in early spring on an advance( from autumn) prepared area. Dung for asters do not contribute, but they give a sufficient amount of mineral fertilizers( 120 kilograms of active substance per hectare).

Care of plants is in irrigation, loosening, weeding, fighting pests and diseases.

The most dangerous diseases are asters - black leg and fusariosis. Black shoots are most often affected shoots, the root neck of which becomes thin, browns and turns black.

Fusarium infection affects adult plants, usually in the budding phase or before its onset. First, the lower leaves turn yellow, the stem grows brown, then the disease affects the whole plant that is dying. The diseased plants are removed. As a preventive measure, the seeds are treated with a formalin solution( 1: 300).The most important event is the change of cultures. Asters must be returned to their original place not earlier than in four or five years. Along with the seeds, the soil on which the seedlings are grown is etched. For disinfection of the soil, a 1-2% aqueous solution of formalin is used. For 1 m3 of soil, 10-25 liters of solution are consumed. Moistened soil is covered for two to three days with tarpaulin, after which it is ventilated for 14-15 days.

Disinfection with ceresan is possible, 10 grams of which are dissolved in 5-10 liters of water. On 1 m3 of soil, 50 grams of ceresan are consumed( it can also be dried).After three weeks, sowing is possible.