Take a 2- to 5-inch cutting, remove the lower leaves, then dip the cut end in powdered rooting hormone. From CuttingsĪnother way to start plants is to use clean, sharp shears to take soft tip cuttings from mature plants in spring. You can thin your seedlings to 24 inches apart when they have 2-3 sets of true leaves. They overwinter in the ground, go dormant, and germinate in spring when temperatures warm up. Some gardeners have also had success sowing seeds in fall. Sow seeds 1/4 inch deep in a full sun location. To do this, place them outdoors in a location protected from wind, and over the course of a week, gradually leave them out for longer periods before transplanting.Īlternatively, you can direct sow in the garden after the last spring frost. Once the seedlings have at least two sets of true leaves, and all danger of frost has passed, you can start hardening them off in preparation for planting. Use a heat mat if necessary, to maintain an even temperature of approximately 70☏ – the seeds should germinate in 10-14 days at this temperature. Keep the soil lightly moist, but not saturated. It’s recommended to use seed-starter peat pots that can be planted in their entirety to minimize root disruption. Start seeds indoors about four weeks before the last average frost date in your area. From Seedīecause this is a native species, you may rest assured that if you collect seeds at season’s end, provided they are viable, they will produce exact replicas of the parent plant from which they came. To cultivate sky blue aster in your garden, you can sow seeds, take cuttings, or divide existing plants. These changes illustrate a fine tuning of aster nomenclature and a reinstatement of the original geographic reference. Of the “new” genera created, the largest of these is Symphyotrichum. Clean the seed as well as possible, then store it in a cool, dry place.Photo by J M, Wikimedia Commons, via CC BY-SAĭuring the 1990s, research revealed that the US native asters have their own unique evolutionary history, and as such they were reclassified into different genera. ![]() Cut the mature seed heads, or shake them into a container to remove the seed material. Since sparrows and goldfinches love to eat the seed, harvest it promptly to avoid loss. Seed Saving: After flowering, the plant will produce seed heads containing small clusters of seed with white fluff. Cut the stems long, choosing flowers that have just opened. Harvesting: Asters make lovely cut flowers. ![]() The flowers attract numerous bees and butterflies, providing a valuable source of nectar in late fall. Cut the stalks down to the ground at the end of the growing season for easier growth in the spring. Mature plants will benefit from division after two or three years of growth. Keep weeds under control, since this plant does not like competition. The lower foliage may become ragged or brown in dry conditions. ![]() It does not tolerate drought, and may need watering to keep the soil moist. ![]() Growing: This plant prefers full sun and rich, moist or wet soil, and also tolerates partial shade. Transplant the seedlings after the last frost of spring. To start the stratified seed indoors, sow it in a flat keep the soil evenly moist and at a temperature of 65-70 degrees F until germination, which should take place within 14-20 days. If direct sown in the spring, the seed must be stratified first by mixing it with moist sand and stored in the refrigerator for 60 days. Sowing: Direct sow the seed in late fall, planting it just under the surface and watering it once.
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