The reason why do aster seeds not germinating

The reason why do aster seeds not germinating
The reason why do aster seeds not germinating

Why don’t Aster seeds not germinating? Ordinary and unpretentious plants, everyone’s favorite “flowers for first graders”, easily tolerate frost – even they do not always sow. Today we will talk about why Aster seeds do not germinate and how to avoid mistakes that lead to the non-appearance of beautiful bushes.

There could be several reasons for this, but the result is the same: the sprouts either do not appear at all or die within the first two weeks.


A SHORT DESCRIPTION OF ASTER

The well-known flowers that children go to school in the fall are actually annuals of two genera. Aster – perennial Aster and Callistephus, also known as Callistephus chinensis – annuals.

The morphology of both genera is roughly the same, but external characteristics such as shrub height, peduncle, and inflorescence number, papery/non-papery, and petal depth depend on the specific species. To date, nearly 1,000 varieties have been introduced!

Of course, there are differences in techniques for each Aster variety, for example, giant and very tall plants need to be tied at flowering to prevent the stems from breaking under the weight of the flower heads, which may reach 4-5inch (10-12cm) in diameter. We also have to use different methods to catch the plants when they first start to germinate.

But when it comes to the very beginning of cultivation, i.e. why Aster seeds do not germinate, there is no difference in the method. Despite the further plainness of the flower in terms of care, the germination of the seed, or rather its absence, is a serious problem for many gardeners.

The following are the most common causes of poor growth. Read the recommendations and get ready for some serious practice!


WHY ASTER’S SEEDS DO NOT GERMINATE: THE CAUSES ARE THE FOLLOWING

Seeds

The decisive factor is seed selection – not all seeds germinate well, not even the variety, but the seeds of perennial or annual Aster lose their germination ability drastically with the change of seasons. If the germination rate of the newly harvested material is increased from 90% to 100%, the number of germinations the following year will be reduced by 2-2.5 times.

Experienced gardeners consistently recommend not only buying seeds from established manufacturers whose products are rated but also carefully following the collection date stamped on the package.


Pre-sowing preparation

As a rule, first, soak the seeds of Aster in a slightly pinkish manganese solution for 2-3 hours – this measure will help to get rid of possible fungal parasite spores that can “reward” our flower beds with Fusarium or Blackleg. Then the material is washed and soaked overnight in a growth promoter – you can buy it at any gardening store. After that, we spread it on woven fabric and let it dry naturally.

Aster seeds usually do not need scarification, i.e. mechanical removal, but some varieties still need to be “washed” before planting – there should be information about this on the package.


Good soil

Good soil is one that is specifically shaped for Aster, is permeable, not acidic, and not too wet. If you keep a neutral or alkaline pH and add coarse river sand, you will have an ideal medium for germination of the seeds.

If you are sowing Aster in the open ground, check the pH of the soil beforehand. If necessary, cover with gray soil, stirred well, to a depth of 8-10inch (20-25 cm). If planting seedlings, you can buy special soil or mix 2 parts of garden soil with 1 part of sand.


Planting

Aster seeds do not germinate also because of improper planting. Putting them in the open ground, we must first wait for a stable plus temperature of 64-68°F (18-20°C). Depending on the climate zone, this is mid-April or May. Frost or simply cold nights can damage the roots of crops.

The same is true for seedlings: they need to be covered with film or glass until the first germination. The soil surface should develop its own microclimate in the form of soil for optimal moisture, temperature, and nutrient medium.

Secondly, the planting depth should be observed: sink the seeds into the ground to a depth of no more than 0.4inch (1cm), and in case of open ground, sprouting should only be spread by 5 mm, otherwise it is difficult to bounce to the ground.

Fun fact: Experienced gardeners practice growing Aster in the open ground without covering it with soil. Spread them on the surface like petunias and leave them there until the first shoots appear. Then submerge the sprouts slightly so they don’t fall over.


Thirdly, there is no special treatment before sowing. It is best to soak Aster’s seeds in a growth activator – this will be the best insurance for the seeds against unscrupulous suppliers – just in case what is in front of you is not this year’s crop, but last year’s.

As you can see, the advice on sowing and seedling preparation is not complicated and nothing special. According to them, we won’t have to answer the question “Why don’t aster seeds not germinating?”!

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