How to Grow Aster Crego

Crego (Callistephus chinensis “Crego”) is a China aster cultivar that grows to 24 inches tall. Crego blooms in shades of pink, blue and white, and its seeds are generally sold as a mix of colors. Depending on region, Crego blooms in midsummer to early fall. The flowers are fragrant and ideal for cut flower arrangements. Direct-sow aster Crego seeds in spring once soil temperatures remain above 65 degrees Fahrenheit in spring.

Shovel or hoe
Rake
Compost
Mulch
Pruning shears

Instructions

- 1
  Place your aster Crego bed in a sunny part of the garden. Use a shovel or hoe to break up the soil to a depth of 6 inches, rake the Crego bed smooth and then water to a depth of 4 inches.
- 2
  Plant the aster Crego seeds on the surface of the soil. Water with the mist setting on your hose sprayer nozzle. Keep the soil moist while the Crego seeds germinate. They should sprout within 10 days
- 3
  Thin the aster Crego seedlings to nine to 12 inches apart when they reach 6 inches in height.
- 4
  Pinch off the tips of new shoots when the plant is 6 inches tall, and continue pinching off new shoots that sprout. This encourages the aster to grow bushier.
- 5
  Spread a 2-inch layer of compost on the soil surrounding the 6-inch aster Crego plants to provide nutrients. Cover the compost with a 2- to 3-inch layer of organic mulch to help prevent moisture loss. Crego's roots are located pretty close to the top of the soil and dry out quickly.
- 6
  Provide the Crego plants with an inch of water a week if there is no rain.
- 7
  Cut flowers frequently for arrangements and remove dead flowers as soon as possible to discourage the plant from going to seed.

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