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Should I remove my Aster?

HeyawcHeyawc Posts: 34
in Problem solving
I have this Aster having some nice blooms over Autumn. There were new blooms growing after the first wave but then one day I noted there was something like powdery mildew covering the top of the plant. The new blooms appear to have stop growing, and the inner part of the leaves and stems turn black. Some stems turn yellow. Is this normal for Aster is a deciduous plant which will lose its leaves and stems in winter, or is it dying? There has been quite a lot of rain recently. I’m not sure if there might be too much moisture stayed on the plant causing its blackening state.

(PS: I just realised when I took the photos this morning that there are some new shoots appear from the soil.)

Posts

  • liz.imrieliz.imrie Posts: 1
    I would cut it right back and it will come back beautifully. What you are describing is typical as autumn damp sets in. 
  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    Unfortunately some Asters are very prone to getting mildew and are likely to develop it every year.
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    Liz is correct, cut them back now. They will start to grow back in the Spring. They are notorious for mildew, but a lot depends on the variety. 
    Some info here that you might find useful. 
    https://www.gardenersworld.com/how-to/grow-plants/how-to-grow-asters/
  • GardenerSuzeGardenerSuze Posts: 5,692
    Aster Novi angliae seem to be less prone to mildew than A novae belgii. Should be using the new name Symphyotrichun?
    I have worked as a Gardener for 24 years. My latest garden is a new build garden on heavy clay.
  • ButtercupdaysButtercupdays Posts: 4,546
    The New England (Nova Angliae) asters are supposed to be less susceptible. I have tended to favour them as it is often very wet here and haven't had any problems with  mildew. Good air circulation also helps though and there hasn't been any shortage of that either recently!
  • nutcutletnutcutlet Posts: 27,445
    If it's a nice one I'd give it another chance but I'd get rid of anything that looked as bad as that more than once


    In the sticks near Peterborough
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    If it doesn't develop mildew until this late in the season, that's pretty good for an aster. No need to get rid of it if it looks good while it's in flower. Cut it right back to ground level. The new basal shoots that you can see might not come to anything, but it should produce lots more next year.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    Mine don't really get mildew, but that's down to climate, and perhaps variety. Some are definitely more prone than others, as @Buttercupdays and @punkdoc say. 
    It's not bonny, but it depends on how much you see it at this time of year, as opposed to when it's in full flow, and whether you think it's worth persevering with. I'm like @nutcutlet - if something isn't doing the job I want, it gets chucked.
    It's a hard school here... ;)
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • HeyawcHeyawc Posts: 34
    Thank you everyone for the advice! It was great when it’s in full flower, so I may give it another chance and see how it comes back in spring. Learning to be a good gardener everyday :smile:
  • JennyJJennyJ Posts: 10,576
    I've just noticed that my Aster (or Sympho-wotsit) "Little Carlow" (which don't really suffer from mildew) have now developed the yellow stems and black leaves, possibly in response to a few chilly nights. It's part of the late autumn colour, so I'll leave them until they've lost the colour or fallen over.
    Doncaster, South Yorkshire. Soil type: sandy, well-drained
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