Needle Aster (Callistephus Chinensis Walentyna) 250 seeds (#1209)

Annual plant 50-70 cm tall. Asters with stunning blooms, resembling spider chrysanthemums in a pink colour.
Blooms from July to October.
In the garden these plants look great as part of a border; they are also used often as a cut flower in arrangements.
Full sunlight or light shade. Good drainage. Soil pH 5.5 to 7. Rich soil. Regular light watering. Feed with fertilizer two times during the growing season. May need support. Summer mulch. Deadhead.
Weed around plants to prevent competition. Grow in a different location every year. Do not overcrowd.
Do not grow close to a surface that reflects heat.
Approximately 250 seeds in 1g packet.

Genus - Callistephus
Species - Chinensis
Variety - Walentyna
Common name - Needle Aster
Pre-Treatment - Not-required
Hardiness zones - 3 - 10
Height - 0,50 - 0,70 m
Spread - 0,30 m
Plant type - Annual Flower
Exposure - Full sun, part shade
Growth rate - Fast
Soil PH - Mildly acid to neutral (pH 5.5-7)
Soil type - Rich, well drained
Water requirements - Regular light watering
Landscape uses - In the garden these plants look great as part of a border; they are also used often as a cut flower in arrangements.
Bloom season - July - October
Leaf / Flower color - Green / Pink

GERMINATION INSTRUCTIONS
Seeds should be lightly covered once sown. Sow in the spring, following the last frost.
If you plan to grow China Aster as seedlings indoors for later transplanting then they should be germinated at a temperature of +18-21C for two weeks. Seeds should be sown in peat pots in a vermiculite mix and water supplied from below.
After about seven or eight weeks the seedlings can be planted in the garden in an area of partial shade or full sun with a spacing of 30-50cm.
They prefer to grow in a rich soil that has good drainage and a pH of 6 to 7.