How to Plant China Aster

 How to Plant China Aster   

                                                                    

 China Aster occupies a prominent place among the modern flowers grown in the world. It was first brought from China and Japan (origin centre) and grown in Europe in the first half of the eighteenth century. Since then, a lot of changes have been seen in its advanced cultivation. China Aster can be easily grown in open spaces and green houses. It is mainly grown for cut flowers. It can also be easily grown in home gardens and pots. Its flowers are attractive and durable in different colours. In India, it is grown on a commercial level for cut flowers in Karnataka, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and West Bengal. It is being cultivated in about 660 hectares of land in the whole of India. Flowers are exported to other countries from Netherlands, Colombia, Italy, Israel and Kenya.

Botanical Description

 

 China Aster is an annual flowering plant of the Asteraceae family. Linnaeus first named it Aster chinensis, which was changed by Nees to Callistephus chinensis and now it is known by this name. Only one species 'chinensis' is found under the genus 'Callistephus'. The genus 'Callistephus' is made up of two Greek words Kallos (Beauty) and Stephonos (a crown referring large calorific flower head). Aster is an annual plant with semi-woody and highly hairy branches. The plant is 15 to 90 cm tall. The leaves are alternate oval, large and irregularly toothed at the edges. Solitory flowers emerge from the leaf axis which are of attractive colours like white, mauve, purple, blue, scarlet, yellow, pink, magenta etc. Flowers range from small button like pompons to large flowered heads, which can be single or double, incurved, anemone, quilled or peony flowered in shape. Self pollination takes place in this. Improved hybrid varieties can be easily developed by cross-pollination.

Importance

 Chinar Aster is mainly grown for cut flowers. Its cut flowers remain fresh for a long time, hence it is very suitable for vase and floral decoration. Its loose flowers can be used for making garlands and other decorative works. It can also be easily grown in bedding and pots. Its dwarf varieties like Pompan, Lilliput etc. are suitable for growing in window boxes. China Aster grown in groups in a herbaceous border made according to the color scheme looks very pleasing. It can be easily grown in open fields and greenhouses for cut flowers. It keeps flowering for a long time in autumn and summer.

Types and Varieties

 China Aster is divided into several classes according to the plant's growth habit, flower size, shape and flower appearance. According to flower shape, it is divided into single and double. In single flowers, petals are arranged in only one whorl whereas in double flowers, petals are arranged in two or more whorls. Some dwarf varieties with 'double' flowers have flowers that look like small buttons. According to flower shape, Aster is divided into classes like Pompon, Incurved, Anemone, Peony flowered, Quilled, Ruffled and Shaggy etc. Flowers of different varieties of a particular class can have different attractive colours.

 The commonly grown double flowered China Aster is divided into three main groups according to the height of the plants - Tall, Medium and Dwarf. Its different varieties according to the height are as follows-

How to Grow China Asters   

 (1) Tall varieties - The height of plants in this group ranges from 600 to 900 cm.

American Branching, Ambria, American Beauty, Bouquet powder puff, Giant of California, Giant Comet, Giant Rocket, Early Bird, Blue Wonder, Victoria, Super Princes, Kristina, Roment.

 (2) Medium varieties - The height of plants in this group is 40 to 60 cm. Heart of France, Stardust, Nero, Scarlet King, Sophie, Rainbow, Lilliput, Giant Crego, Rose bud, Early Burpecana, Pompron, Rubens, Poornima, Ostrich plume.

 (3) Dwarf Varieties - Plants in this group have a height of 200 to 40 cm.

Dwarf chrysanthemum, Dvari Kirkwell, Dwarf Queen, Dwarf 'Triumph', Violet Cushion, Shashank, Kamini.

Climate and Soil

 Subtropical and temperate climate is most suitable for successful production of Aster. In these places, Aster can be cultivated in open places. In temperate climate places, cultivation of Aster in protected structures like green house gives more production. In tropical regions, semi shaded places are suitable to avoid the scorching sun. Such places where the night temperature remains 10°C are suitable for high quality flower production throughout the year. For successful production of Aster, open sunlight, proper drainage and sandy loamy soil with abundant organic matter is best. The pH value of the soil should be between 5.5 to 7.5. Highly acidic or alkaline soils are not suitable for successful production.

 Propagation and nursery growing - China Aster is mainly propagated from seeds. Dormancy is not found in its seeds, as a result the seeds start germinating 4 days after sowing. 16°C to 21°C temperature is suitable for germination. Fresh seeds germinate easily at low temperatures as compared to old seeds. Damping off disease does not occur if the seeds are treated with fungicide before sowing. Seeds affected by Botrytis cinerarea fungus germinate late and the seedlings are weak. Seedlings prepared by sowing seeds in raised beds are healthier and stronger.

 How to Plant Chinese Aster

 For preparing nursery of Aster, seeds are sown from August to October. In areas with less rainfall, its nursery can be prepared in June-July also. In Delhi and nearby areas, it is beneficial to grow nursery from July to September for good flowering. Because planting the saplings prepared late affects flowering in the strong sunlight of March-April. In hilly areas, seeds are sown in March-April or winter season in August-October.

Land preparation and Transplanting  - First ploughing should be done with soil turning plough and then with cultivator on 2-3 Julys and after every ploughing make the soil soft and level by using patta. The field is prepared for planting by dividing it into beds as per requirement. About one month old plant having 3-4 leaves is suitable for planting. Two-three days before uprooting the plant from nursery, irrigation should be stopped to develop hardening in the plants so that they become tolerant towards less water after planting in the field. Planting should be done in the evening and light irrigation should be done immediately after planting. For getting good quality cut flowers, distance between lines should be kept 30 cm and distance between plants should be kept 20 cm. During field experiments, maximum production of flowers and seeds has been obtained from about 1,66,666 plants per hectare planted in the month of October at a distance of 20 x 30 cm or 30 x 15 cm.

Manures and fertilizers  – 

 For successful production of Aster, the amount of organic matter in the field should be sufficient. Hence, 6-7 kg compost or rotten cow dung manure should be added per square meter of land. Lack of nutrients in the field has an adverse effect on the growth and flowering of the plant. Lack of nitrogen causes stunted growth in which flowers come in less quantity and of ugly colour. Lack of phosphorus causes slow vegetative growth and flowering is delayed. To get good production, 100 kg nitrogen, 80 kg phosphorus and 100 kg potash per hectare is recommended, which should be given at least twice. Half the amount of NPK should be given before transplantation (basal dressing) and the remaining half should be given when the plant has 10-12 leaves. If some amount of fertilizers are sprayed in the form of liquid at an interval of 15 days during the formation of flower buds, then good results are obtained in the production and quality of flowers. Sufficient spraying of trace elements like Zinc (Zn), Copper (Cu) and Boron (B) increases the quality of flowers. But excessive amount of boron (more than 1 gram boric acid per square meter) can be harmful for plants.

How to Grow Chinese Asters   

Irrigation  - China Aster is mainly a winter seasonal flower but if proper management and irrigation facilities are provided, it can be grown successfully throughout the year. It requires deep irrigation, but there should be no water logging. In winters, it requires less water, so irrigation is done at an interval of 15 days. Whereas in summers, frequent irrigation is required (at an interval of 4-5 days).

Growth and Flowering  - 

 Light and temperature play an important role in the growth and flowering of China Aster. If the day length is less than 14 hours, the top leaves start developing in the form of a rosette. If sufficient light of at least 14 hours is provided artificially even in short days, then flowers can be obtained throughout the year. Large (double) flowers with strong stems are obtained when the night temperature is 10°C. When the night temperature is more than 10°C, the flowers are large in size but the inflorescence is weak and the number of petals is also less. Thus, it can be grown throughout the year by controlling the light duration (at least 14 hours) and night temperature (10°C). Early flowering varieties start flowering in 3.5 to 4 months from sowing while late flowering varieties provide flowers in 4-5 months. To get more and brighter flowers, old dry and dull colored flowers should be plucked from time to time.

How to Grow Chinese Asters 

Plant Protection  -  China Aster is intolerant to many pests and diseases. Major pests include leaf hopper, aphid, spider mite, white fly, mealy bug and caterpillar; and diseases include fusarium wilt, botrytis blight, aster yellows, rust, etc., which are major problems in its cultivation.

Insect Control

 (1) Leaf hopper - This is the main harmful insect of China Aster which sucks the juice of the leaves. The virus called Aster yellows reaches other plants through this insect. To control this insect, Rogor (2 ml/l) or Dimecron (2 ml/l water) should be sprayed.

 (2) Aster beetle - This insect with black spots (Black blister beetle) eats leaves and flowers and completely destroys the soil. For its control, 2-3 sprays of endosulfan (1 ml/l) or malathion (2 ml/l) should be done at an interval of 5-7 days.

 (3) Potato aphid - This small brown-green insect (Aphid) causes severe damage to the crop by sucking the juice of the stem, leaves and flowers. It can be controlled by spraying Tymecran or (2 ml/l).

How to Plant China Aster   

 (4) Spider mite - The mite sucks the juice from both the surfaces of the leaves of aster and makes them spotted and discoloured, due to which the leaves become incapable of making food. To control this pest, spraying of Kelthane (2 ml/l) or Dicofol (0.2%) should be done.

 (5) Nematode - Meloidogyne incognita - Root knot nematode forms knots in the roots of the plant due to which the plant is unable to absorb moisture and nutrients. As a result, the growth of the plant stops and the leaves remain small. To control this, soil should be treated with Furadon or Thiamet.

Disease Control

 Wilt - This is the main disease that damages China Aster and is mainly spread by a fungus called Fusarium oxysporum. This disease damages new and old plants equally. To prevent this disease, soil sterilization and spraying of copper fungicide should be done.

Collar or root rot -  It spreads through a fungus called Phytophthora cryptogra. The roots and stems affected by it become moist and black and rotting starts in the affected areas. To prevent this, heavy and frequent irrigation should be avoided and the crop should not be grown in places where the alternate host of this fungus is present. This disease can be controlled by sprinkling Metalaxyl in the soil and spraying Bavistin on the plants.

Bolrytis blight –  Botrytis blight is a seed borne disease which prevents the seeds from germinating quickly. Black spots appear on the seedlings at nursery stage. Its infestation is reduced by preparing the nursery by treating the seeds with thiram or bavistin.

Aster yellows – This is a viral disease which spreads due to a virus called Chlorogenus callistephi. Plants affected by aster yellows develop excessive adventitious branches. Leaves become mottled yellow, flowers become discoloured and plants remain dwarf. Its virus spreads from one plant to another through a leaf hopper called Macrosteles fascifrons. Therefore, leaf hoppers should be controlled by spraying suitable insecticides and disease affected plants should be uprooted and buried in the soil or burnt.

Harvesting of flowers  - The stage of cutting of any flower directly affects the rate of post-cutting changes and its vase-life. Hence, China aster flowers should also be cut at the correct stage. Aster flowers should be cut with sufficient stem when the flower petals start showing their true colour. The stem of freshly cut flowers should be immediately immersed in clean water and the leaves attached to the stem should be cut. The flowers should be graded on the basis of the length of the stem and the size and colour of the flower etc. Packing should be done after covering the flowers with a transparent polythene film.

Care of cut flowers  - China Aster has a longer vase life than the commonly grown annual flowers. If there are microbes present in the water filled in the vase, the life of the flower decreases. To destroy the microbes, a small quantity of sodium dichloro isocyanurate should be added to the solution. Keeping the flowers in a vase solution prepared by mixing 60 grams of sucrose and 250 MRP 8-HQS per liter of water increases their life beyond expectation.