Family
Aster is a member of the Asteraceae family, as are Centaurea, Helianthus and Solidago.
Varieties
Asters can be subdivided into three categories:
1. Aster ericoides: small flowered (universum group);
2. Aster novi belgii: large flowered and with broader leaves than ericoides;
3. Aster hybrids: with medium sized flowers.
The Dutch auctions do not divide the asters into these categories
Tips for care:
During storage and transport:
Asters can not tolerate being left without water. This means that storage in water is essential
Never crowd asters as this causes a rise in humidity, which increases the risk of botrytis. Aster is susceptible to botrytis
The ideal storage and transport temperature is 46.4° F
In the shop:
Many asters fail to recover fully if they have been left without water. Ensure that your asters are supplied to you in water
Remove a portion of the stem and place the flowers in a clean bucket containing fresh water
Bacteria in the water block the vessels in the thin stems and prevent the flowers from hydrating properly. For this reason the water should be replaced regularly
Asters need a great deal of water and this makes them less suitable for use in (bridal) bouquets or corsages.
If possible always display asters in a cool spot
In the home:
Use a clean vase
Cut 1 ½ inches off the ends of the stems and remove the lower leaves
Keep the vase of asters out of drafts and direct sunlight
Replace the water in the vase every two days. Cut flower food should be avoided as it can cause the leaves to turn yellow
Asters need a great deal of water. Bear this in mind!
Asters can also be dried
Explanation of the name
Aster is the Latin form of the Greek 'astron', which means star and refers to the shape of the flower heads.
Symbolism Aster
Happy old age, autumn joy, gracefulness.
Product specifications
www.vbn.nl
Most popular colors of Aster
White and purple/blue are the two most popular colors. The ratio of the two colors is 70:30. There are also a few pink cultivars but these do not account for much of the market share.
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