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Cut flowers3 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.
AnnualFull Sun
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.
