Aster tataricus - Tatarinow's aster flowers have 14-30 pale lavender or purple ray florets and light yellow turning lavender disc florets...
Aster tataricus, also called as Tatarinow's aster, Aster bracteatus, Aster conspicuus, Aster faurei, Aster fauriei, Aster intybaceus, Aster nakaii, Aster pubescens, Aster rhomboideus, Aster tataricus var. faurei, Aster tataricus var. minor, Aster tataricus var. nakaii, Aster tataricus var. robustus, Aster tataricus var. vernalis, Aster trinervius var. longifolius, Tripolion tataricum, is a species of the genus Aster. This species was described by Carl Linnaeus the Younger in 1782.
DESCRIPTION OF ASTER TATARICUS - TATARINOW'S ASTER
Aster tataricus is native to Southern Siberia to Japan. It is found growing in marshy areas in mountains, moist meadows and wetlands of Amur, Buryatiya, China North-Central, China South-Central, China Southeast, Chita, Inner Mongolia, Irkutsk, Japan, Khabarovsk, Korea, Manchuria, Mongolia, Primorye, Qinghai, Sakhalin at elevations of 0-1000 meters above sea level.
It is a herbaceous, perennial plant which reaching 50-150 cm in height with fleshy rhizomes and abundant fibrous roots. The stem is erect, sparsely to densely strigillose. The leaves are basal and cauline, 1-nerved, oblanceolate, 3-5 x 6-12 cm, bases attenuate, margins undulate, recurved, coarsely serrate, teeth mucronate, apices acuminate, acute, or rounded.
Tatarinow's aster blooms in the flowering stems that elongate in August to September. The stems are hispid or clothed with straight bristly hairs along with more modestly sized leaves. The top of the flower stem branches freely, producing abundant flower buds that open from late September through early November. The flowers have 14-30 pale lavender or purple ray florets and light yellow turning lavender disc florets.
ASTER TATARICUS - TATARINOW'S 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 tataricus 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:
Tatarinow's aster 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:
Aster tataricus 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:
Tatarinow's aster 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:
Aster tataricus 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:
Tatarinow's 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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