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Should I trim back Aster October Skies?

Posted by linnea56 z5 IL (My Page) on
Wed, Jul 4, 12 at 20:41

This has a different growth habit than the other aster I have, Alma Potschke. October Skies is more mounded. For Alma Potschke, I cut back the tips on the outermost stalks, to increase branching and stretch out the bloom time. Otherwise it would get very tall, like 4 feet, then fall over.

I've had October Skies for 2-3 years. It's spreading pretty wide; over 3 feet. At this rate, will it get floppy by the time it blooms?


Follow-Up Postings:

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RE: Should I trim back Aster October Skies?

I can only tell that you might has never flopped, I just enjoy it.


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RE: Should I trim back Aster October Skies?

Aster October Skies and Andenken an Alma Poetschke belong to two different species(oblongifolius and novi-angliae respectively).

Aster oblongifolius proved to be a very weak plant here, out of 3 varieties all 3 are gone now(dies in winter for some reason). When they were alive, the blooming was very very sparse.
Andenken an Alma Poetschke has very weak stems, the flowers open only on sunny days(which are not guaranteed here in its blooming time). So I said goodbye to it(= garbage bin). Replaced by better plants.


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RE: Should I trim back Aster October Skies?

Can't argue about Alma Potschke, it certainly was a flopper. For me, October Skies has been very reliable and a good bloomer. Mine is however planted on a slope so I have good winter drainage.


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RE: Should I trim back Aster October Skies?

The form is actually attractive, it just grew so much this year it is covering other plants, and the raised walkway I use to walk inside my terraced bed.


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RE: Should I trim back Aster October Skies?

i know nothing about it..

but if you dont start pruning it back.. you arent going to have any bloom in october..

and then the name would just be stupid

and stupidity.. is usually not a good thing in the garden.. lol..

as usual.. if you have more than one.. experiment

havent seen you since early spring.. been up to anything interesting.. jewelrywise???

ken


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