Cucumber Aster seeds: saving and collecting
This article introduces you to the related information of the Asteraceae plant, Cucumber Aster, focusing on how to save and collect its seeds. Let's learn more about it.
For flower enthusiasts who have a higher degree of autonomy in gardening and are not satisfied with buying seeds, they hope to collect seeds themselves. Below, we will analyze how to collect and plant Cucumber Aster seeds.
On windless sunny days with higher outdoor temperatures, it is necessary to move the Cucumber Aster to a sunny outdoor spot for a few hours to use the gentle spring breeze and insects to help with pollination, thereby improving the seed-setting rate. In April, when the midday sun is strong, some shading is needed, otherwise, it is not conducive to seed setting. Generally, after more than a month, the seeds will mature one after another. When the top of the fruit just reveals white pappus, the fruit should be harvested to prevent the seeds from scattering after the pappus fly out. After drying and removing impurities, the seeds should be packed in paper bags with proper labeling and stored in a dry, well-ventilated place.
Except for double-petal varieties that are difficult to set fruit, Cucumber Aster intended for seed saving can be sown in mid-September. After the seedlings have been transplanted twice, they should be planted in pots 18 to 20 centimeters in diameter in mid-to-late December.
After planting, water should be controlled, and other aspects should follow regular maintenance until late February to early March of the following year, when the flowers will bloom. By this time, the temperature is higher, and there are more pollinating insects. You can select excellent plants with large, colorful flowers, unfolded leaves, short petioles, compact and sturdy, free from diseases and pests as mother plants for seed saving. Place these plants in a sunny, well-ventilated room and apply more phosphorus-based fertilizers. You can also use 0.02% to 0.03% potassium dihydrogen phosphate for foliar topdressing.
The above content shared on how to save and collect Cucumber Aster seeds is for everyone's reference and operation.