- Carithers Flowers Main Website- Wikipedia: Matsumoto Aster

Matsumoto Aster

Native to East Asia

The Matsumoto Aster Flower is a larger flower that is available year round. It is available in many colors, such as pink, blue, yellow, purple and lavender, and various reds as well as bi-colors. It has single, double, and semi-double blooms While stem lengths do vary, spring and summer months may bring bunches that are up to four feet long while winter months may only bring those steam as short as two feet.

The "Matsumoto" China aster is a fast-growing annual that has long, sturdy stems along with long-lasting flowers. It is native to East Asia and was developed in Japan. It is prized among both home gardeners and commercial floral growers. Like other China asters, the Matsumodo Aster Flower does well zones 2 to 12 and are known to bloom until winter in frost-free climates. It tends to last between seven and ten days, depending on the bud stage. It is good only as a fresh flower and does not dry well. It is best to re-cut it about a half-inch from the base of each stem while it is still under water. The water should be changed out every three days. No foliage should be submerged in water or this may lead to bacterial growth.

Growing Recommendations - Matsumoto Aster

It is possible to grow Matsumoto in a garden within a planting bed that as well-drained soil and offers full sun or partial shade each day. The soil must be cleaned of rocks and debris. It can be purchased in a container and must be carefully loosened from this container so as not to break its fragile roots. The hole should be a little bit wider and deeper than the size of the root ball and contain a small amount of organic fertilizer. Once it is placed in the hole, the Matsumoto Aster should be surrounded by soil. Be sure to leave about eight to fifteen inches between plants so that it has room to grow. Organic mulch should be placed around the base of the aster to provide nutrients and keep an ample supply of water nearby. The soil needs to stay moist but not overly wet. It may need more water in those areas that experience hot and dry summer seasons. Insert plant stakes about two inches from the aster root ball immediately after planting and secure the stems to the stake. This will help stabilize what will become very tall stems.

Other growing tips for the Matsumoto Aster is that you should deadhead the flowers as they die and cut any dead plant stems down to the ground during winter. In the spring, add more organic fertilizer as well as compost, but try to avoid using high-nitrogen fertilizers as this can lead to the potential for disease. Also, do not replant more of these flowers where another one had previously died as this could also lead to disease.

Photos of Matsumoto Asters

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