How To Grow China Aster In 2022 (Callistephus)

7 min readMar 1, 2022

Topic : How To Grow China Aster In 2022 (Callistephus)

The China aster is a wonderful choice if you are looking for large, beautiful blooms to add beauty and color to your garden or table. Callistephus Chinesis, also known as the China aster (Callistephus Chinensis), is an annual that’s easy to grow and has bright colors. It produces large yields which make it great for cutting. Continue reading to learn more about China asters and how you can grow your own.

China Aster Flowers

China aster flowers are available in reds and pinks, as well purples and blues. They also come with large, puffy blossoms that measure 3–5 inches in diameter. Read More About : How To Grow China Aster In 2022 (Callistephus)

These flowers are often confused with regular asters or mums because of their pointed and thin, heavily-clustered petals. Because of their bright colors, China aster flowers are very popular in India. They are used often in bouquets and arrangements.

Callistephus Chinensis

China Aster is Callistephus Chinesis, a member of the Asteraceae Family that includes the daisy and chrysanthemum. This species is an annual, and not a perennial like other aster varieties.

The bloom time for flowers in late summer to fall. They fill gardens and containers with brightly colored flowers.

History & Cultivation

C.chinensis can be grown as an annual in USDA Hardiness Zones 2 through 11. It thrives in moist, well-drained soil with partial to full sun. The sturdy stems can grow up to three feet in height at maturity. Cultivars come in a wide variety of colors including yellow, red, and purple as well as a bright yellow central disc.

Large flowers measure between three and five inches in diameter. The petals can be single, double, semi-double, or full-double. The flowers grow on their stems, as opposed to the clustered blooms found in native aster varieties. This species is a hybrid of two temperate Asian plants. It was originally found in China and Korea. Horticultural manipulation has allowed for a wide range of cultivars.

C.chinensis was first introduced to the world in India as a hybrid breeding program. Today’s varieties of the original species have a wider color palette and more flowers. They are also wilt-resistant and have sturdy stems and alternate green leaves. These flowers make beautiful and lasting cut flower arrangements.

Propagation

C.chinensis, also known as summer aster is easy to grow from seeds. Seeds can be started indoors six to eight weeks before the last frost date in your area. The soil should be kept evenly moist and at 70–72degF.

Once the seedlings have produced their first true leaves, they can be transplanted into pots. After all danger of frost has passed, gradually introduce the seedlings outdoors. The seedlings will be ready for transplant in the garden.

You can also sow seeds outside after the danger of frost has passed.

Growing Conditions For China Aster Plants

China aster grows well in easy-to-manage soils. Although they prefer loamy, well-drained soil, China aster can be grown in any soil type. They can thrive in full sun or partial shade and require only moderate watering. China aster plants can reach heights of up to 3 feet and widths of 1–2 feet. They can be grown directly in your garden but also work well in containers.

Varieties Of China Aster

Although there are many varieties of China aster, we won’t be able to list them all here. The bicolored ribbon series of China aster has up to one-foot tall flowers and is great for containers. The compact milady series, which can grow up to 20 inches in height, is also great for container gardens.

Gala series flowers grow taller to up to 32 inches and produce large quill-shaped flowers for indoor bouquets. The super baby series is also great for cutting flowers. It can grow up to 24 inches tall, fully double flowers, and will be a hit in containers, vases, and garden beds. Serenade mixes are small semi-double flowers with a maximum height of 22 inches. These flowers are great for cutting, but they also look beautiful in pots and gardens.

How To Grow China Aster

You can start China aster plants as seeds or buy full-grown seedlings that you can transplant into your garden. China aster flowers only in spring and autumn in most climates. If you don’t want to plant seeds indoors, buying and transplanting seedlings will be the best way to guarantee spring blooms.

After the chance of frost has passed you can plant your seedlings outdoors. Water them twice a week. You’ll soon have striking blooms that are large enough to be used in indoor arrangements, or left in your garden for an eye-catching explosion of color.

Don’t despair if your China aster plant begins to show signs of fatigue or ceases flowering during the summer heat. With the arrival of cooler autumn temperatures, the versatile flower will recover. You should be able to enjoy China aster flowers throughout the year if you live in an area with unusually cold summers.

It’s recommended to conduct a soil test by contacting a local extension university. This is because amendments can alter the soil’s acidity. The pH range for China aster growth is between 5.5 to 7.5. This is a wide range. Place it in full sun. Although it can tolerate some shade, this plant thrives in full sun.

You must allow for the plant to grow. The mature height of the plant is between 8- and 36 inches tall with a spread of 12 to 18 inches. It is a good idea to space plants 9 to 12 inches apart to allow for mature sizes and to provide enough air between them.

Proper air circulation between plants reduces the risk of fungal infections and insect infestation. After you’ve chosen a site that is suitable for C.chinensis, it is time to plant.

Growing Tips:

Dig down six inches to prepare a garden bed. Turn the soil to break apart clods and make it evenly crumbly.
Use a garden hose to moisten the soil so it is not too dry.
Place the seeds about 3 inches apart on top of the soil. Press each seed into the soil until it reaches a depth of about 1/8 inches.
Plant nursery seedlings or homegrown seedlings at the same depth that the root ball.
The soil should be kept moist but not dry.
Seedlings will begin to sprout in two to three weeks. Continue to provide even moisture. If you wish to protect yourself against disease and pest infestations, consider floating row covers.
Start thinning the seedlings when they have at least two or three sets of true leaves. Depending on which variety you choose, remove enough to make sure the seedlings are nine to twelve inches apart.
You should monitor your water requirements and water the plants thoroughly if it is not raining for at least a week. You should not allow the plants to dry completely. You can keep them healthy by giving them enough moisture.
To retain moisture during the summer heat, lightly cover the soil around the plants with mulching material like woodchip, bark, or leaf mold.
Use a slow-release, balanced, all-purpose fertilizer such as NPK10–10–10 during the growing season, according to the instructions.

Care For China Aster Flowers

China asters require regular watering and soil care. You should sow your China asters indoors six to eight weeks before the last frost date. To enjoy new blooms all year, sow the seeds directly into a garden bed after the last frost date. Do this by planting successively at 2-week intervals. Tall varieties of plants need support and staking.

Garden Pests And Diseases Of China Aster

China’s aster plants can be affected by aphids and aster yellows. In some gardens, spider mites could also be an issue. Aster yellows and aster wilt are potential diseases that can affect China asters. The best way to save your asters from becoming ill is to remove all affected plants.

To avoid the recurrence of disease, you may need to move your plants each year. To kill aphids and mites on your China asters, spray the entire plant with water. When fertilizing your asters, you can also use an organic pesticide.

Care & Maintenance

The China aster, unlike its native perennial asters, is not self-sufficient after it has been established. It needs even moisture in well-draining earth.

Water the soil deeply once a week. However, do not allow it to become too dry. According to the instructions on the package, fertilize the soil with a slow-release fertilizer that is balanced and well-balanced.

Avoid high-nitrogen mulches as they can encourage excessive foliage and low flower production. As the summer heat rises, we’ve mentioned that a thin layer of mulch can help retain moisture.

Mulch should be used sparingly as excess mulch can cause dampness and encourage fungal growth. To prevent rot, keep the mulching material at least two inches from the stem. Regularly weed to discourage insects and inhibit fungal growth.

To enjoy continuous blooming, deadhead regularly. To encourage new blooms to take root, you will need to trim off any spent blooms just above the leaf. Tall cultivars might need to be staked to keep them upright. To prevent them from falling over after heavy rains, I use twine and bamboo garden stakes.

This approach has a drawback: bunching stems can restrict airflow and encourage fungal infection in damp environments. You can also use a Hortonova Trellis from Amazon. This plastic net is used to support plants in development.

This prevents stems from fluttering and maintains good airflow. There are many sizes available and you can cut them as necessary. You have two choices as the growing season winds down.

You can either leave the withering stems intact to provide wildlife habitat or winter interest, OR you can cut them to pieces. They are annuals and will not be back next year so sow more seeds.

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Originally published at https://harvesthouseus.com on March 1, 2022.