Asters are easy to grow daisy-like perennials that offer beauty to a garden. Perennial Asters are also known as ‘Michaelmas Daisy’. These star-shaped flowers are rewarding in every sense. They are available in more than 600 varieties. Some are less than a foot tall while others are two feet tall and look stunning as cut flowers in vases and other floral arrangements.

Aster Flower Information:

Seed Germination: 8 - 10 days
Plant Height: up to 24 inches
Flowers Bloom: Summer and rains
Colors: Blues, Purples and array of Pink

How to plant aster seeds?

Asters can be started from seed or purchased as a potted plant. When growing from seed remember that they should be planted about 1-inch deep during spring in a location that gets full to partial sunlight. Once the seeds are sown, cover them with a thin layer of soil and water thoroughly. Space the miniature varieties four to six inches apart, and giant varieties one to two feet apart. Place smaller varieties as a flower border and larger ones at the back of the flowerbed to create a lovely backdrop.
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We would suggest that plant Aster indoors and then transplant them outdoors with proper spacing. The plant prefers loamy, well-draining soil. Note that the new plantings should be kept moist till the blooms cease. These are grown in 25 cm pots also.
In hotter climate, Aster should be grown in partial shade. Once planted, further propagation is easy through division of suckers without need of any seed sowing.

How to care for Asters?

Asters will bestow you with healthy and vibrant blooms if you feed them with compost and add general fertilizer once in a month. Mulch is an excellent option when it comes to keeping the weeds down. 
To maintain continuity of flowering, after each flush of bloom the faded flowers are removed, the soil is raked up, and handful of compost is added per plant.
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What are the diseases that affect Asters?

Asters are prone to powdery mildew, rusts, stem cankers, white smut, leaf spots, aphids, tarsonemid, snails, and slugs. You can treat the plant at an early stage at protecting it from withering away.
Know about Houseplant diseases and remedies

Aster Flower Fun-facts:

Asters are known as September’s birth flowers. They were burned to ward off snakes.

You may also like to Read about Winter flower in India
Also know about How you can prepare your garden for Winter.