The Saffire asters are annual plants with sturdy bushes ranging from 50 to 80 cm in height, depending on the specific variety. The bushes have a pyramidal or bouquet shape and form up to 20 shoots of the first and second order, which ensures lush and spectacular flowering. The flowers are double, round, and range from 6 to 18 cm in diameter, depending on the variety, with rich colors: from blue to red with a yellow center. The flower stalks are powerful and long, reaching 30-40 cm or more, making the flowers suitable for cutting and bouquet arrangement.
The flowers are characterized by high resistance to adverse weather conditions, practically do not suffer from rain, and maintain freshness in cut flowers for a long time. Early flowering allows enjoying bright inflorescences at the beginning of the season. Thanks to large and spectacular flowers, Saffire asters are perfect for decorating flower beds, borders, and creating decorative compositions.
For cultivation, the seedling method is recommended: seeds are sown on the surface of a sterile soil substrate in April-May at a temperature of 18-20 °C. Germination takes 7-14 days, and repotting is carried out at the stage of 2-4 true leaves. Planting in open ground is done in early June in a sunny place with well-drained soil where asters were not previously grown. Care involves timely watering, loosening, and feeding with complex fertilizers 2-3 times per season. It is important to avoid soil drying out and excessive moisture, as well as sharp temperature fluctuations for successful plant growth and development.
