How to Propagate Asters

 

Aster scientific name is Asteraceae, the plants are fall-blooming plants with daisy-like flowers in shades ranging from blue to pink to white. Aster plant propagation is not actually difficult. On this article you are going to learn how to propagate asters.

 

How to Grow Aster from Seed

A lot of aster varieties will self-seed in the garden, and it’s also possible to collect the mature seeds and then plant them in the desired location. The mature aster seed head actually looks like a light-brown or white puffball, something like a dandelion seedhead, and each seed has its own tiny “parachute” to catch the wind. Remember that the seeds your asters produce may grow into plants with a different appearance from the parent. This actually happens when the parent plant is a hybrid or when the parent has been cross-pollinated by a nearby aster plant with different characteristics. Propagating asters plant by division or cuttings is a more reliable way to reproduce a plant with the same flower color, flower size, and height as the parent plant.

 

When to Divide Asters

Aster plants can be reliably propagated by division. Once a group of asters has grown into a clump that is large enough to divide, which is usually every 3 years or so, use a shovel to cut into the clump, dividing it into 2 or more parts. Dig up the cut parts and promptly plant them in their new location. After propagating an aster plant by division, you need to feed the new plants with a source of phosphorus, such as bone meal or rock phosphate, or with a low-nitrogen fertilizer.

 

How to Grow Asters from Cuttings

There are some aster varieties, like Frikart’s aster, which can be propagated by taking the softwood cuttings. The aster plants propagation by cuttings should be performed in the spring. Cut a three to five inch section of the stem and then remove the lower leaves, keeping 3 or 4 of the upper leaves. Root the cutting in a medium such as sand or perlite and then place a clear plastic bag over the cutting in other to help it retain moisture. You need to provide them with water and light until they form roots. Later you can transplant them to a small pot.