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Cut flowers5 varieties
China Aster
Callistephus chinensisFast-growing annual with showy single to double flowers prized for summer and fall cutting. Incredibly robust blossoms, lasting for over a week in a vase with no special treatment.
Days to maturity
105–120 daysDays to germ.
10–14 daysSpacing
6–12 inHeight
28–36 inSun
SunVase life
10–12 daysHow we grow it
Germination
- Days to germ.
- 10–14 d
- Soil temp
- 65–72 °F
- Depth
- 0.125 in
- Light for germ
- light
Culture
- Days to maturity
- 105–120 d
- Spacing
- 6–12 in
- Height
- 28–36 in
- Sun
- Sun
- Frost
- No frost tolerance · to 32°F · tender
- Sow indoors
- Yes
- Outdoor / direct
- No
Harvest
- Cut stage
- Fresh–When outside florets begin to open. Dried–When blooms are fully open.
- Vase life
- 10–12 d
- Handling
- Place immediately in water or floral preservative.
Recent field notes
Plants in full bloom. Much more impressive and sturdy than I expected. The plants are still prone to tipping, but the blossoms themselves are very hardy.
Growing happily.
Timing · Zone 5a
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Sow indoorsMar 26 – Apr 9
Bloom (from indoor)Jul 23 – Aug 6
Windows are anchored to an average last frost of May 21 (1 year in 10 as early as Apr 29, as late as Jun 2) and an average first frost of Sep 18 (1 year in 10 as early as Sep 6, as late as Oct 8). In a late or early year, slide them with it.
Compare in the calendarTrials
Every China Aster sowingSeed sources, counts, ratings, and the observations kept against each one.China Aster trials- Not for
- PinchEach plant produces one main spray.
- SuccessionSensitive to day length, and have a long maturity period.
- Cut-and-Come-Again
Varieties
5 varieties on recordNo photograph yetChina Aster ‘Nova Mix’
‘Nova Mix’
Pink · Apricot · Purple · Scarlet · Yellow · WhiteNo photograph yetChina Aster ‘Peony Duchess’
‘Peony Duchess’
Mauve · Purple · Yellow · Peach · White · Red · Pink
‘Azumi XL Blue’
Deep PurpleNo photograph yetChina Aster ‘Azumi XL Red’
‘Azumi XL Red’
Deep Red‘Azumi XL White’
White