GOOD ANNUAL ASTERS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22712, 26 October 1935, Page 25

GOOD ANNUAL ASTERS

SOME TYPES AND STRAINS The annual asters arc in no way related to the great family of perennial asters or Michaelmas daisies. Botanically, they are named callistephus, and all of them have been raised from the Chinese species, C. cbinensis. The title of China aster, however, is no longer strictly applicable, for, while it is true that the original species is a Chinese plant, modern strains and varieties bear little resemblance to it, and they are the result ot hybridists’ efforts in this country, on the Continent, and in America. Tribute must specially be paid to tbe Californian raisers for the splendid work they have accomplished during recent years. Not all of the American strains are universally popular in this country, for some have the fault of being rather late in flowering, but for the most part their work has resulted in a decided advance. Tlie charming Sunshine type is one of the more . recent developments. Although the original type only made its first appearance two or three years ago, it has already been improved on both in size and in form. One of the most notable of these even more recent developments is the Californian Giant Sunshine strain. This selection has truly mammoth blooms, which are produced singly on long stems, but their size in no way detracts from the grace and beauty of the flowers. SINGLES ARE FAVOURITES. Despite the undoubted charms of these anemone-centred types, there are many who prefer the ordinary singles. The sinensis group of catalogues are simply greatly improved forms of the original Chinese species. They are splendid plants, however, for bedding or for cut flower work. An even more decorative section is the Southcote Beauty type, which has flowers much larger than the sinensis singles. None of their grace has been lost in this added size, for efforts have been concentrated on preserving tinnarrow. ribbon-like petals, and they are. perhaps, best described as giant types of single Ostrich Plumes. For cutting they are probably the most valuable of all tbe many sections. For the most part the doubles are still most widely favoured for bedding or for exhibition, and foremost amongst them is the comparatively old Giant Comet or Crego type, but in a greatly improved form. Most of the doubles are, indeed, merely Crego strains, including the Cali fornian Giant and Late Beauty types. In size of flower and length of stem, these latter strains are undoubtedly an advance, but they have the grave fault already mentioned of proving rather late in flowering and connot be wholeheartedly recommended. For more or less formal bedding schemes, tbe dwarfer Victoria and cliry santhemum-fiowered strains have much to commend them. In habit they are much more compact than aiiy of the largeflowered types, and, though their prim, short-petalled blooms have not the charm of tbe taller-growing sorts, they have the

merit of being very freely produced. Moreover, their flowers are more fitted to withstand adverse weather. Even smaller, and with comparatively tiny blooms, are the Liliput bedding varieties. As a rule they do not much exceed a foot in height, and their intensely double flowers have almost the texture of everlastings. As a result, they can be relied upon to make a bright show for many weeks on end. Mention must also be made ot the newest development in aster breeding, which, though less spectacular in its appeal, will, nevertheless, prove of the Greatest importance to growers in this country. This is the production ot wiltresistant strains. Tests have so far proved eminently satisfactory, and even in districts where asters have proved almost impossible, first-class results have been obtained by sowing seeds of wilt-resistant varieties. At the moment raisers are concentrating on the evolution of wilt-re-sistant strains of all the current types, and at the present rate of progress it will not be long before their aim is fulfilled. The one main point to remember is that the seedlings must bo kept growing steadily from the moment ot germination onwards. The least check caused through extremes of heat or drought is always liable to prove disastrous. At tins season of the year heat is not an essential aid to germination, and there will not be the same risk of fluctuating temperatures as when seed is raised in a warm house. Moreover, the germination of the seeds themselves will be rapid if they are simply kept fairly close by' covering the pans or boxes with a sheet of glass immediately after sowing. This must be removed just as soon as the tiny growths are seen spearing through the soil. Then, when the seedlings first show their second pair of leaves, they must be pricked otf at least three inches apart each way. This is a task which must not be unnecessarily delayed, for the least overcrowding is liable to result in black leg or collar rot. Another point—the plants must on no account be so deeply buried as to allow even the seed leaves to touch the soil. Nor must the original soil mark on the stem ho covered. I’lanting time in most districts is centred round the last two weeks in October. Before that time the plants must be thoroughly hardened, moving them first to a shelf quite close to the glass and then to a cold frame, where they are gradually inured to outdoor temperatures. Even if a sowing is made in a cold frame, planting time will not be advanced, tor the progress of the plants wilt be slower, although the hardening process is less protracted. —Lothian, in Amateur Gardening. ;