With their star-shaped flowers, which can shine white, pink, red, violet or blue depending on the variety, the asters have already conquered the hearts of many a gardener. Read below how to propagate them by sowing!
How to propagate asters by sowing?
Asters can be propagated by sowing by using fresh seed soil, sowing 2-3 seeds per planting hole and pre-cultivating them 1 cm deep in pots at 10 °C from February or directly outdoors in a sunny spot from mid-May delivers.
Pre-culture from February
You can pre-cultivate the aster seeds from February onwards. Pre-cultivation from home is possible until April. But the house is not the only suitable place for pre-culture. You can also sow the seeds outside on the balcony in mild temperatures.
This should be noted:
- Use fresh seed soil (€6.00 on Amazon) (asters are susceptible to fungal diseases)
- Fill pots with sowing soil
- Use 2 to 3 seeds per planting hole
- Sow seeds 1 cm deep
- keep moist
- Germination temperature: from 10 °C
- Germination time: 1 to 2 weeks
- if applicable separate later
Direct sowing from April
From April, but preferably from mid-May, the seeds can also be sown directly outdoors. Greenhouses or cold frames are also suitable. The main thing is that it is light. Proceed similarly to the instructions for pre-culture. If there is no rain, irrigation is important so as not to interrupt the germination process.
It is important that you sow the seeds in a sunny place. Asters are real sun worshipers. Also pay attention to the right spacing when sowing. You should at least maintain half the growth width of the respective species or variety.
Some types of asters require a cold stimulus
There are also types of asters that are not so easy to pre-cultivate in the warm. Your seeds first need a cold stimulus (stratification). These include the species Aster alpinus, Aster novi-angliae and Aster belgiae.
Expose the seeds of these species to temperatures of around 5 °C for 4 to 8 weeks (e.g. in the refrigerator, on the balcony in winter,). Temperatures can also be below 5 °C. Only then are the seeds grown in pots at home.
Tip
If asters are sown at temperatures around 10 °C, they develop into stronger plants. Too much heat limits their growth potential.
