Callistephus

Gender Callistephus consists of a single species of annual Aster, or callistephus chinensis. It is a low-resistant herbaceous annual, with a height of 20-25 cm to 75-80 cm. The roots are numerous and thin, easily regrowing after damage. The leaves are small, the lower ones with a petiole, the upper ones are sessile, with an uneven edge. The stems are stiff and branching. The flowers are reed-shaped and tubular, with a basket inflorescence. The flowering period is in summer and autumn. Many cultivars have been bred, including those with mixed color, high (60-80 cm), medium-sized (35-50 cm) and low (20-30 cm). Flowers can be simple, semi-double, double, thickly double; with large, curled or feathery reed flowers. Color-from white to red, pink, purple, purple, bicolored (tubular flowers are white, and reeds - red). Callistephus is classified according to the structure of inflorescences into numerous types, for example, needle-shaped, curly, spherical, tiled and others. Types are divided into groups based on the structure and shape of flowers, their size, Bush shape, and other characteristics. Popular among flower growers varieties: 'Duchess' with double pink reed and yellow tubular flowers; 'Harrington pink' with pink semi-double flowers; 'Ostrich feather' tongue flowers are pinnate and slightly curled; 'Pinocchio medium blue' - with double flowers.

Gender Callistephus consists of a single species of annual Aster, or callistephus chinensis. It is a low-resistant herbaceous annual, with a height of 20-25 cm to 75-80 cm. The roots are numerous and thin, easily regrowing after damage. The leaves are small, the lower ones with a petiole, the upper ones are sessile, with an uneven edge. The stems are stiff and branching. The flowers are reed-shaped and tubular, with a basket inflorescence. The flowering period is in summer and autumn. Many cultivars have been bred, including those with mixed color, high (60-80 cm), medium-sized (35-50 cm) and low (20-30 cm). Flowers can be simple, semi-double, double, thickly double; with large, curled or feathery reed flowers. Color-from white to red, pink, purple, purple, bicolored (tubular flowers are white, and reeds - red).

Callistephus is classified according to the structure of inflorescences into numerous types, for example, needle-shaped, curly, spherical, tiled and others. Types are divided into groups based on the structure and shape of flowers, their size, Bush shape, and other characteristics.

Popular among flower growers varieties: 'Duchess' with double pink reed and yellow tubular flowers; 'Harrington pink' with pink semi-double flowers; 'Ostrich feather' tongue flowers are pinnate and slightly curled; 'Pinocchio medium blue' - with double flowers.

Cultivation

Annual asters are grown in the open ground in flower beds and borders, high varieties can be used for cutting, for decorating flower beds, balconies, terraces, pot culture. They are planted in a permanent place in the ground, when the danger of frost passes, in May, seedlings or seeds. Seeds can also be sown in the fall in the ground, in this case it is important to thin out the shoots in time. Any cultivated soil with a high humus content, filled with compost, humus or phosphorus-potassium fertilizers is suitable. It is not recommended to apply fresh manure. The distance between plants is left 20-25 cm for low - growing specimens, 30-35 cm for medium - sized ones, and 40-45 cm for tall ones. Under callistephus, sunny, flattened surface areas are allocated, on which asters and levkoi have not been planted for several years. When growing a crop during the active growing season, constant loosening of the soil, abundant watering and fertilizing (once a month) with mineral fertilizer is required to promote further flowering. Discolored baskets must be removed.

Location

For lush flowering, they need a place in the open sun. This is especially true for plants with semi-double and double flowers.

Temperature

Annual asters are resistant to high air temperature, and cold weather below 9 °C is not tolerated.

Watering

In summer, plants of the genus callistephus requires regular watering.

Care

Remove faded baskets and damaged plant parts.

Reproduction

Asters are propagated by seeds that are soaked in a solution of potassium permanganate (1 g/l of water) before sowing. To produce seedlings, use a mixture of humus, turf and sand (2:2:1). Top the seeds with sand or light soil. Seedlings dive into boxes or greenhouses. Before planting in the ground, plants are tempered - the room is ventilated and watering is reduced. Planted in holes, abundantly watered. You can sow and immediately in the ground in flower beds. Flowering of such asters occurs a month later, but the plants are stronger, well-developed.

Diseases

In addition to wilting, which begins with an excess of moisture (watch out for watering), root rot may begin - a consequence of the activity of fungi of the genera Phytophthora (Phytophthora) and Fusarium (Fusarium), which quickly leads to the death of the plant. This can only be prevented by using disinfected soil, since the disease is just as incurable as viral diseases that lead to deformation, yellowing and slowing down the development of asters. Significant damage is caused by aphids and mites, causing yellowing of leaves, deformation of peduncles, and they are also carriers of viral diseases. They get rid of them, respectively, with the help of drugs against aphids and acaricides.

Acquisition

Seeds and seedlings of Aster annuals are easily found in flower shops and gardening centers. When choosing them, make sure that they are healthy, compact, and free of pests.