Callistephus
Callistephus is mono typical genus of aster family. It is the most rewarding summer flowers because of its brilliant color and prolific blooms. These are lovely in your beds, cutting gardens, borders, and cottage gardens.
Planting Guide
Plant Size:
- Aster Daylight: 28 to 32” height
- Aster Kurenai: 24 to 28” height
- Aster Fujimi: 30 to 36” height
- Aster Nina: 27 to 30” height
Characteristics
- Aster Daylight: Early flowering for multi-flowered series, Blue Frost and Rose Frost change petal color from white to blue and white to rose respectively as flowers mature.
- Aster Fujimi: Bred for high density planting and fusarium resistance.
Cultural Recommendation
Seasonal Application
- Sowing: Year round
- Finishing: Year round (indoors) but lighting needed during mid-summer through winter, heating required during the cold season.
- Photoperiodism: Photoperiodism of 16 hours necessary to keep plant vegetative to build plant size before flower initiation.
Seedling Stage
- Tray: 288 to 200 cell
- Germination: Emergence 4-5 days I 65-70°F
- Supplemental Lighting: Night interruption of 4 hours necessary to prevent premature flowering Seedling
- Finish Time: 4 – 6 weeks
Finishing
- Transplanting: 30 to 40 days
- Spacing: 4 inches x 4 inches
- Day to Flower from Sowing: 120 to 170 days
- Temperature: 60 to 70°F day/ 55 to 60°F night
- Common Problems: Aster yellows, rust, botrytis / leafhoppers, mites, thrips, aphids / calcium deficiency
Notes
- With preservatives cut flowers should last 10 to 14 days.
- For Daylight series, do not replant in the same area for 5 to 6 years unless fumigating.
- Fujimi was bred to grow up-right before branching and can be planted with higher density than other Asters.
- For Fujimi series, rotate production area every other year
