Summer asters are not perennial, but rather annual and therefore have to be sown every year. You can make numerous mistakes. Read how to do it correctly below!
How do you sow summer asters correctly?
For successful sowing of summer asters, sow 2-3 seeds per pot in nutrient-poor seed soil, 5-10 mm deep. The seeds require temperatures between 18 and 21 °C and should always be kept moderately moist. After germination, prick out the young plants and plant them outdoors at a distance of 25 cm from mid-May.
Prefer or sow directly
Since the summer aster is not hardy, it should only be sown outdoors after the Ice Saints, around mid/end of May. If you have a greenhouse or cold frame, you can sow them there in April. A pre-culture at home is possible from the end of February/beginning of March.
Sowing the seeds – this is what you need to consider
The elongated, smooth and grayish to brownish seeds of the summer aster are sown either in pots or in beds. This is how you approach pre-culture in pots:
- Fill pots with low-nutrient sowing soil
- Sow 2 to 3 seeds per pot
- Sow seeds 5 to 10 mm deep
- moisten and keep moderately moist
- place in a bright place
When you sow the seeds in the bed, you should plant 2 seeds per planting hole. They go a maximum of 1 cm deep into the ground. If necessary, you can also carefully rake them into the soil. Irrigation is essential in the beginning.
Germination temperature and germination time
If temperatures are between 18 and 21 °C, the seeds germinate quickly. The first leaves can be seen within 2 weeks. If the temperatures are lower - between 10 and 15 °C - germination will take longer, but you will get more robust plants.
Prick out the young plants and plant them out
As soon as the first 4 leaves have formed, it is time to prick out the young plants - if necessary. They are separated at a distance of 25 cm. If you pre-culture, plant the young plants outside from mid-May.
A sunny and airy location would be ideal for summer asters. They bloom there from July. In addition, the soil should be highly permeable, nutrient-rich and neutral to slightly alkaline in pH in order to achieve rapid and he althy growth.
Tip
Since summer asters are prone to fungal diseases, you should use fresh seed soil (€6.00 on Amazon) for sowing and, if necessary, sterilize it beforehand.
