Bonita Blend, Aster Seeds

Bonita Blend Aster Seed

Fully double pompons blend numerous coordinated colors
Two-inch flowers retain appeal as blooms mature
Upward-facing blossoms maximize impact in arrangements
Fusarium tolerance supports healthier cutting crops

See product details

Key Attributes

Botanical Name

Callistephus chinensis

Days to maturity

115 Days

Sun

Full Sun

Packet

100 Seeds

About Bonita Blend, Aster Seed, Aster Seed

Bonita Blend Aster produces fully double, 2-inch pompon blooms in a vibrant blend of red, blue, purple, white, and pink. Flowers remain attractive as they age and are held at an ideal angle on strong stems, making them useful for garden beds and cutting. Plants offer Fusarium resistance for more dependable performance.

Growing details

Planting

Sow Depth

1/16"

Days to Germination

7–14 days

Germination Type

A - No Pretreatment

In-row plant spacing

12-18"

Plant profile

Life Cycle

Annual

Plant Height

36 inches

Growth Habits

Upright

Seed & variety

Seeds Per Ounce

13,000

Color

Multicolor

Seed Type

Open Pollinated

Before Planting

Select an open site with morning sun and excellent airflow, then improve drainage and remove perennial weeds. Use clean containers and mix for seed starting because asters are vulnerable to damping-off and wilt.

Planting

Start annual asters indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost, covering seed about 1/8 inch. Maintain 65–70°F until germination, then grow seedlings cooler under strong light. Harden before transplanting 9–12 inches apart. Direct sow after frost where the season is long; perennial asters may require different chilling treatment.

Watering

Keep young asters evenly moist, then water deeply at soil level when the top layer dries. Consistent moisture supports bud formation, while overhead irrigation and saturated crowns increase foliar disease and root loss.

Fertilizer

Blend compost into lean soil before planting. A light low-nitrogen feeding as growth begins may help; avoid repeated rich fertilizer, which produces floppy stems and delays flowering.

Harvesting

For cut asters, harvest when the outer ray petals are open but the central disk florets are still tight. Remove lower leaves and place stems into water immediately. Continue cutting as side buds open. Leave only selected healthy heads to dry when seed collection is desired.

Tips

Pinch tall types once or twice before early summer for branching, but stop well before buds form. Stake early, deadhead for continued bloom, and rotate planting sites if aster yellows or wilt occurs.

Disease Resistance Abbreviations

Fusarium Wilt

Pests & Diseases

Powdery mildew, Botrytis blight, rust, Verticillium wilt, and aster yellows are important aster diseases. Watch for white coating, gray mold, orange pustules, wilting, or yellow distorted flower growth. Space plants well, water at the base, remove infected debris, rotate planting areas, and promptly discard plants showing aster-yellows symptoms.

Aster leafhoppers can transmit incurable aster yellows; lace bugs stipple leaves, while aphids, thrips, and spider mites attack shoots and flowers. Remove plants with green, distorted blooms, manage nearby weeds, and inspect leaf undersides. Avoid spraying flowers visited by late-season pollinators.