16 rules for when and how to sow asters in 2024 to ensure strong seedlings

Vegetables and berries are great, but you also need something for your soul, especially since some ornamental plants are very low-maintenance. Asters are flowers that don't require much attention from the gardener. However, when growing them, certain agricultural practices must be followed, as well as the recommended planting dates for seedlings. It's important to consider the lunar calendar, the regional climate, and the weather forecast for the near future.

Step by step

Almost any soil composition is suitable for sowing and germinating seeds, as long as it's nutritious. However, it's recommended to transplant the grown seedlings to sunny, wind-free areas that are protected from drafts.

If you're a complete beginner, it's best to choose a store-bought substrate. However, at home, you can also make your own potting mix using garden soil as a base, enriching it with nutrients from a flower shop.

The only thing that can make growing asters from seeds difficult is the natural, dense shell of the seed, so it is necessary to complete all pre-planting preparation steps.

The seedling method increases plant viability, boosting their natural resistance to disease, and helps flowers accumulate energy for decorative purposes. The seedlings are cared for by the gardener for an extended period.

This helps plants grow strong, as they receive timely fertilization at the first sign of nutrient deficiencies in the soil mixture. Another advantage of the seedling method is the absence of the disadvantages associated with direct sowing in open soil:

1. When sown in open soil, a young plant does not have enough time to get stronger, which leads to an increased risk of it becoming infected with fungal and other diseases.
2. In the spring, pests mostly attack young and succulent shoots, which increases the risk of damage to aster seedlings.
3. The weather outside is not always warm after sowing, so if frosts return, the seedlings are likely to be damaged.

Plants also become more resilient to adverse weather conditions. For example, when young seedlings have been hardened off, they are less susceptible to sudden temperature fluctuations and cold snaps, which can occur in summer, even in temperate climates such as the Moscow region, Ryazan, and other regions. In this case, perennial varieties will be able to survive the winter without loss (if frost preparation is carried out correctly).

Possible difficulties

The seedling method doesn't always produce the desired results, and after the seeds germinate, problems with germination arise. The main problem is seedling elongation. However, this can be remedied by planting the seedlings deeper, ensuring that the above-ground portion of the plant is no higher than 7 cm above the substrate level.

Other problems that arise when growing aster seedlings may be as follows:

• wilting and drying of foliage;
• twisting of leaf blades;
• yellowing of foliage;
• leaf curl;
• drying of seedlings;
• blackleg.

Deadlines

When sowing seeds, consider not only the climate of the growing region but also the lunar phase. In southern regions, when using seedlings, seeding begins in January. In "middle" regions, with the arrival of springIn colder regions – not before April.

According to the lunar calendar

Gardeners who follow astrological recommendations and choose favorable days according to the lunar calendar for germination and other plant manipulations often achieve good results. This is because the celestial body influences not only all the water on the planet (tides) but also sap flow, influencing its direction. Therefore, when germinating seeds on favorable dates, the likelihood of good germination and healthy seedlings is higher.

By region

When sowing seedlings, it's important to allow the plants time to grow and strengthen sufficiently before the weather outside becomes warm enough for planting. However, it's important to prevent the seedlings from overgrowing. Generally, planting times are as follows:

1. The central zone – Moscow, Tula, Bryansk, Smolensk, Kaluga, Orel, Kostroma and others – during March.
2. The Urals and Siberia, the Far East - during April.
3. Leningrad region - from mid-March to mid-April.
4. South - since January.

The period for transfer to a permanent location

It's recommended to transfer young plants to open ground in the evening on a cloudy day. This will help reduce plant stress and speed up their adaptation to their permanent location. This procedure is performed after the soil has warmed. Plants are planted in a staggered pattern. The table provides approximate timings for different regions, without adjusting for current weather.

In the South - already starting from mid-March.

Unfavorable days

These are the New Moon, the Full Moon, and the days leading up to and following them. Now, here's a detailed look at these dates for each month of 2024.

• January: 10-12, 24-26.
• February: 9-11, 23-25.
• March: 9-11, 24-26.
• April: 7-9, 23-25.
• May: 7-9, 22-24.
• June: 5-7, 21-23.

All other days are neutral.

The process step by step

General tactics for growing asters However, there may be some differences depending on the plant's varietal characteristics. For example, tall plants need to be tied up, while profusely flowering plants require fertilizing.

Otherwise, the preparation of seed material for germination, watering, temperature conditions, substrate composition and other agricultural standards are the same for all varieties.

Preparation of seed material

Home-collected seeds germinate well, but they don't always retain the characteristics of the mother plant. However, they should be treated with fungicides before germination, just like store-bought seeds. The exception is when the seeds are in granular form. A strong solution of sodium permanganate is used for this treatment.

Soak the material in it for 10-30 minutes. The solution temperature should be approximately 22°C to 30°C. Afterward, it is recommended to soak the material in a growth stimulator for 6-12 hours. Suitable products include:

• Baikal M1;
• Epin;
• Kornevin.

In addition to these remedies, you can use natural stimulants such as aloe vera juice or potato juice. A honey solution (1 teaspoon per 1 cup of water) or a yeast solution (25 g of dry yeast per 1 cup) are also suitable.

This treatment helps accelerate germination and provides the seeds with additional nutrients. This will strengthen the young plants and increase their resistance to diseases common to this crop.

Preparing seedling containers and soil for seed germination

You can buy a seedling container or use plastic cups for germinating seeds. If using disposable containers, make drainage holes in the bottom to prevent water from stagnating in the substrate. Aster soil should be loose, light, and permeable to air and moisture.

It's important that the substrate be nutritious. You can buy a potting mix at the store—universal or for flowering plants are suitable. You can also make your own soil mix using garden soil. For this, you'll need the following ingredients:

• garden soil (turf) – 3 shares;
• lowland peat – 2 parts;
• coarse-grained river sand – 1 share;
• wood ash – 2-3 tbsp per 10 l of substrate.

Sowing

Before sowing, moisten the soil in the seedling containers. Spread the seeds over the surface, but do not bury them deeply; instead, press them lightly into the substrate. It is not recommended to plant too densely; space the seeds 1-2 cm apart. Afterward, lightly moisten the top with water from a spray bottle. Then, cover the seed container with plastic wrap or glass.

Moisten the substrate as the top layer dries. The first shoots will appear after 5-6 days. Pricking out is done on the 10th day after sowing, when the first two true leaf blades have emerged. Then, lower the room temperature to 13–15˚ C.

Care

Pricking out the seedlings is essential—this ensures better development and easier transplantation to their permanent location. After pricking out the seedlings, which involves transferring them to individual containers, the young plants need to be carefully cared for. Since asters can become diseased due to overwatering, watering should be limited. The substrate should be moistened no more than once every 2-3 days.

When the soil is insufficiently nutritious, enrich it with wood ash infusion or use biofertilizer according to the manufacturer's instructions. After approximately 2-4 weeks, feed the seedlings with fertilizers for flowering plants, such as nitrophoska and Agricola-7. Dilute the mixtures at a rate of 1 teaspoon of each fertilizer per 2 liters of water. However, avoid overdoing it with nitrogen-containing fertilizers, as this will delay flowering and make it less lush.

Transfer to a permanent location

Asters love the sun, but they don't tolerate direct sunlight well, as it burns their petals. When planting them outdoors, it's recommended to select a site with some shade on the south side, such as from a tree canopy or a building that provides shade.

It's best to plant aster beds at elevated sites, as they suffer from excessive soil moisture. Roots can rot if the groundwater table is too low. Planting patterns vary by variety: tall asters should be spaced 30 cm apart, while border asters should be spaced 15-20 cm apart.

Possible growing errors

Common mistakes made by gardeners:

1. Old seeds. Already in the second year after harvesting, the germination rate of aster seeds decreases by 15-20%. It is recommended to try to sow only last year's home-harvested seeds or store-bought seeds no older than two years.
2. Combined nursery. It is recommended to sow aster seeds for seedlings in separate containers. The main problem with combined planting is the strong intertwining of individual plant roots, which are often torn off during picking and transplanting.
3. Nitrogen-rich soil. When planting annual and perennial varieties of this flower, avoid using a soil mixture with a high nitrogen content. It's best to eliminate this component when preparing the substrate or compensate by adding generous amounts of other nutrients.
4. Planting density. If the distance between individual plants is too small, any fungal, bacterial, or parasitic infections will spread rapidly between flowers. To avoid damaging all seedlings, it's best to plant them farther apart.