Aster alpinus - Blue alpine daisy - Alpine aster flowers are usually solitary, 5 cm in diameter, appearing at the ends of slender stems...
Aster alpinus, also called as Blue alpine daisy, Alpine aster, Diplactis alpina, is a species of the genus Aster. This species was described by Carl Linnaeus in 1753.
DESCRIPTION OF ASTER ALPINUS - BLUE ALPINE DAISY - ALPINE ASTER
Aster alpinus is native to Europe to Northern China and Iran. It is found growing in rocky soils in the mountains of Alaska, Albania, Alberta, Altay, Amur, Austria, British Columbia, Bulgaria, Buryatiya, Central European Rus, China North-Central, Chita, Colorado, Czechoslovakia, East European Russia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Idaho, Inner Mongolia, Iran, Irkutsk, Italy, Kamchatka, Kazakhstan, Khabarovsk, Kirgizstan, Krasnoyarsk, Magadan, Manchuria, Mongolia, North Caucasus, North European Russi, Northwest Territorie, Norway, Ontario, Poland, Romania, Sakhalin, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tadzhikistan, Transcaucasus, Turkey, Tuva, Ukraine, West Siberia, Wyoming, Xinjiang, Yakutskiya, Yugoslavia, Yukon at elevations up to 3000 meters above sea level.
Blue alpine daisy is a rhizomatous, caespitose, perennial herb which reaching 10-35 cm in height with subterraneous runners, forms stands. The stem is erect and branched. The leaves are to 5 cm long, mostly basal, untoothed, lanceolate-spatulate, dark green.
Alpine aster blooms in May to June. The flowers are usually solitary, 5 cm in diameter, appearing at the ends of slender stems; the ray-florets can be blue, indigo, violet, white, or pink; disk florets yellow, tubular, small.
ASTER ALPINUS - BLUE ALPINE DAISY - ALPINE ASTER CARE
Cultural information should only be used as a guide, and should be to be adapted to suit you. Your physical location; where you grow your plants, how much time you have to devote to their care, and many other factors, will need to be taken into account. Only then can you decide on the cultural methods that best suit you and your plants.
Light:
Aster alpinus grows best in full sun but can tolerate partial shade (fewer flowers). If you live in a hot climate, keep these plants out of the mid-day sun as your plant may not tolerate the heat well. If you live in a cooler climate, you may need to give them full sun so that their flowers don’t flop. No matter the climate, these plants should have morning sunlight in order to bloom with the best flowers.
Humidity:
Blue alpine daisy needs the relative humidity level of 50-60%. To maintain soil moisture levels, mulching is necessary. Add a 2 to 3-inch thick layer of shredded bark mulch around the base of the plant in spring. Don't allow the mulch to pile up around the stems or it may cause the crown to rot.
Temperature:
Alpine aster can be grown in zones 3 through 8. The plant prefers cool climates with day temperature of 20-30 °C, night temperature of 15-17 °C and are frost-hardy, able to withstand near-freezing temperatures temporarily.
Substrate and growing media:
Aster alpinus grow best with well-drained, loamy soil with a pH ranging from 5.8 to 6.5. Wet clay soil will lead to root rot and dry sandy soil will lead to plant wilt. The addition of sphagnum peat and composted manure will assure a healthy planting. These products will help to nurture the plant, hold moisture and aerate the soil.
The plant can also be grown in containers. Use a container with plenty of space for the roots to grow. However, avoid overly large containers, as a large amount of potting mix holds excess water that may result in root rot. It’s always better to repot when the plant outgrows its container. Be sure the container has at least one drainage hole in the bottom.
Watering:
Keep the soil moist, but never soggy; young plants need well-watered. Water established plants in summer during dry periods. Plants that are drought-stressed may not grow as strongly or flower as well in fall. Try to water the base of the plants without splashing water on the leaves - doing so can cause mildew or fungal growth. Keep an eye on plants growing in pots as these will dry out more quickly.
Fertilizer:
Blue alpine daisy usually don't need much extra fertility if grown on fertile soils. Annually add compost in spring along with a 1/2 cup of an organic balanced fertilizer. Excessive nutrients can shorten the blooming time, so stop fertilizing the plants in August.
Pruning:
New and established plants will benefit from pinching resulting in compact, bushy plants with many blooms. Pinch off one-half inch of the tips when shoots are 3-4” tall. As the new shoots develop, you can also pinch those back when they reach 4”. For compact, bushy plants continue to pinch until July, then allow the plants to grow naturally.
Pinch off the dying flowers to make room for new growth. Remove dead or wilting stems promptly. For the simplest pruning, cut the flowers when they are almost in full bloom and bring them inside to enjoy in a vase.
Winter period:
When the plants stop blooming in autumn, give them a good amount of water - about 1 to 2 inches - a few weeks before the first freeze. Cut down the foliage after that frost. Cover the plants with a few inches of mulch to protect the roots during the winter period and let the plants outdoors. You can also store the plants in containers in a cold frame or greenhouse over the coldest months. When there is the first sign of new growth in spring, remove the plants from their containers and repot in fresh compost. This is the time to divide them if they are large enough. Once repotted, slowly harden them off and do not let the compost dry out.
Propagation:
Alpine aster is grown from seed or division. The seed germinates in 15 days indoors, or 20 to 30 days outdoors. Usually after around three years, the clumps are large enough to divide. Simply dig up and halve or quarter the clump with a sharp spade. Replant the clumps immediately into their new positions, and water well. Division is done in October or early spring when flowering deteriorates.
Pests and diseases:
Rust and powdery mildew disease can affect the foliage. Follow proper plant spacing recommendations to improve air circulation and avoid splashing water to prevent these problems.
Most insect pests leave the plants alone, but lace bugs can be a bother. You're more likely to notice the damage they cause than the insects themselves, which are very small and a nondescript grayish-brown color. If you spot yellowing foliage and leaf drop in the summer, consider using insect soap on the plants, coating all sides of the foliage to impact the hiding pests. Fortunately, lace bug outbreaks precede aster blooming time, so spraying won't affect butterflies and bees.
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