100 Pcs (FL054) Aster Crego Mixed Colors Flower Seeds-CALLISTEPHUS CHINENSIS- China Asters Aster “Crego” (Callistephus chinensis “Crego Mix”), sometimes called China asters, comes in purple, red, white and pink. The “Crego” cultivar features delicately curled petals and a full flower that blooms in summer and fall. These summer annuals grow well in most climates, but they can't tolerate frost or drought. Sowing seeds indoors six weeks before the last spring frost and watering them properly in the garden encourage long-lasting blooms and healthy plants. Set 3-inch diameter seedling pots inside a drip tray. Fill each pot with potting soil to within 1/2 inch of the rim. Add 1 inch of water to the drip tray, and allow the soil in the pots to absorb the water until the soil surface becomes moist, then empty any remaining water from the tray. Sow two aster “Crego” seeds in each pot, planting them on the soil surface. Cover the seeds with a 1/4-inch layer of moist soil. Cover the pots with a layer of clear plastic wrap, which retains moisture until the seeds sprout. Set the tray of pots in approx 68 F- (20C) location that receives indirect sunlight. Asters will germinate in the dark, but they sprout more quickly with some light. It takes 14-21 days to germinate. Remove the plastic wrap when sprouts emerge. Move the pots to a location that receives at least six hours of direct sunlight, and water the seedlings when the soil surface dries. Thin the seedlings so that only one aster remains in each pot once the plants produce their second set of leaves. Incorporate a 2-inch compost layer into the top 8 inches of soil in a well-draining outdoor bed that receives six hours of direct sunlight daily. Transplant the asters into the bed at the same depth they were in their pots, spacing them 8 to 10 inches apart in all directions. Water aster “Crego” plants deeply once or twice a week, providing approximately 1 inch of moisture each time so that the top 6 inches of soil don't dry out. Spread a 2-inch layer of mulch over the bed to help conserve the soil moisture. Trim off spent blossoms, and pull up and destroy any plants that appear unhealthy to prevent the spread of diseases. Spray the asters with an insecticidal soap if leafhoppers, mites or aphids become a problem. Leafhoppers can spread the aster yellows virus, so they require prompt control. Spray a fungicide, such as one containing mancozeb, to treat any fungal growth on aster "Crego." Avoid overhead irrigation and wet foliage, which can cause stem rot and wilt. Treating seedlings with an iprodione spray further helps prevent stem rot. Follow all package precautions and application instructions when using disease treatments. Things You Will Need  Drip tray  3-inch-diameter pots  Potting soil  Plastic wrap  Compost  Mulch  Insecticidal soap  Fungicide  Iprodione Season: Annual USDA Zones: 3 - 8 Height: 24 inches Bloom Season: Summer and fall Bloom Color: Mix Environment: Full sun to partial shade Soil Type: Moist, but Well Drained Soil Deer Resistant: Yes Temperature: 68F (20C) Average Germ Time: 14 - 21 days Light Required: No Depth: 1/16 inch Sowing Rate: 4 seeds per plants Moisture: Keep moist until germination Plant Spacing: 20 inches