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China aster Starlight Mixed Seeds

Callistephus chinensis Starlight Mixed
China aster

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Disappointed that there is no French translation on the back of the packet.

Guy, 27/04/2019

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This plant carries a 6 months recovery warranty

More information

Fast-growing dwarf annual plant. Ideal for adding colour to window boxes from July to October. The flowers strangely resemble those of Spider Chrysanthemums with their long, colourful, dishevelled petals. The strong, 20 cm long stems bear solitary flowers in harmonious shades of blue, purple, red and pink. Easy to grow.
Flower size
10 cm
Height at maturity
20 cm
Exposure
Sun
Annual / Perennial
Annual
Germination time (days)
21 days
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Sowing period March to April
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Flowering time July to October
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Description

China aster Starlight Mixed is a fast-growing annual plant native to China, that develops a bush of erect, branching stems. Its Latin name is Callistephus chinensis Spider Chrysanthemum. 

This variety is a pure horticultural creation, specially bred and selected for its small size, ideal for adding colour to window boxes in the summer. In its natural habitat, the China aster contents itself with wastelands and uncultivated rocky slopes. Although the variety is distantly related to the type species, it has retained its ancestors tolerance to a variety of soils and is just as easy to grow.

The solid-coloured flowers can be blue, purple, red or white. The solitary pseudanthia are 8 to 10 cm in diameter and consist of dishevelled ligulate flowers, giving it the appearance of Spider Chrysanthemums.

Its sturdy, branched stems form a small bush that measures 20 cm high and 25 cm wide. Its oval, slightly toothed, dark green leaves are alternate.

It is an easy growing plant that is perfect for flower beds and container displays, provided care is taken to plant it in rich, well-drained soil.

Flowering

Flower colour blue
Flowering time July to October
Inflorescence Solitary
Flower size 10 cm
Flowering description The flowers are solitary heads, 8 to 10 cm (3.1 - 3.9 in) in diameter, composed of disheveled ligulate florets in blue, purple, red, or pink color.

Foliage

Foliage persistence Annual
Foliage colour dark green
Foliage description Its alternate dark green ovate leaves with slightly toothed edges.

Plant habit

Height at maturity 20 cm
Spread at maturity 25 cm
Growth rate normal

Botanical data

Genus

Callistephus

Species

chinensis

Cultivar

Starlight Mixed

Family

Asteraceae

Other common names

China aster

Origin

Cultivar or hybrid

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Planting and care

Sow China aster Spider Chrysanthemum from March to April in a seed tray. Use good quality soil. Lightly tamp down the surface of the tray before broadcasting your seeds. Do not cover the seeds, but water generously with a very fine spray. Place your tray in the light, without direct sunlight, at a temperature of 20°c to 30°c. Lower the temperature at night to 15°c to create a beneficial alternation for germination.

Seed emergence will take from 7 to 21 days. As soon as the seedlings can be handled, transplant them into 7 cm pots. Then 15 days before planting them in their final positions, start to acclimatize them gradually to a temperature of 15 °C.

By mid May, the temperature in the garden will be warm enough to plant out your young plants. Choose a site with plenty of sunshine and well-drained soil. Add a shovel of compost to each planting hole. Space your plants 30 cm apart.

Regularly remove faded flowers to maintain the plant's beauty and encourage bloom renewal.

Fusarium and powdery mildew are the diseases frequently encountered on China aster. To avoid them as much as possible, do not water the foliage and plant Callistephus chinensis in well-drained soil. Avoid growing China aster in the same place every year. Buy new seeds instead of harvesting those from the flowers in your garden.

Watch out for aphids.

Sowing period

Sowing period March to April
Germination time (days) 21 days

Intended location

Suitable for Rockery
Type of use Edge of border, Container
Ease of cultivation Amateur
Exposure Sun
Soil pH Any
Soil moisture Moist soil, in organic matter and well-drained soil is ideal for growing a wide variety of plants. Whether you're cultivating flowers, vegetables, or herbs, providing the right soil conditions is essential for their growth and development. To ensure proper drainage,
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