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Expert: Tom Alonzo - 10/7/2009


Question
Hi,

I received potted Asters and they look dead.  The flowers are all shriveled up.  Did I just miss their bloom or are they not worth keeping.  The leaves themselves look green.  I live in a suburb of Chicago.  Thanks,

Jill

Answer
Hi Jill,
Thanx for your question.  Asters are becoming popular fall plants like chrysanthemums.  Sounds like you missed the blooming period and I definitely believe they are worth keeping.  Most asters will survive Chicago area winters.  You may be able to get them to bloom again if you will deadhead the spent flowers.  They prefer direct sun and well-drained soil.  I hope this helps.
Tom

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Tom Alonzo

Expertise

I have been a gardener for 20 years with perennials both growing from seed and from nurseries. I went through the Master Gardener Program from Kansas State University Cooperative Extension Service and I answered questions on the Hotline a few years ago for the Wyandotte County Kansas Extension Service. I have also lived in the Florida, California, Hawaii, Arizona, Texas, Kansas and Missouri and am experienced with a variety of climates, soils and weather conditions.

Experience

I have been growing perennials for over 20 years now. I am self-taught mostly except for a master gardener class. I have experimented with all kinds of perennials including many that are not common to my area. I have read hundreds of books and grown hundreds of varieties of plants and hope to make it a business some day. I have become versed in botanical names and growing conditions and what I don't know off of the top of my head I can usually easily find in my vast array of research material and botanical and horticultural contacts. I especially enjoy experimenting with growing plants out of zone.

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