Callistephus chinensis Ticklish Mix (China aster Ticklish Mix)

Botanical name

Callistephus chinensis Ticklish Mix

Other names

China aster Ticklish Mix, Chinese aster Ticklish Mix, Aster chinensis Ticklish Mix, Annual aster Ticklish Mix

Genus

Callistephus Callistephus

Variety or Cultivar

Ticklish Mix _ Ticklish Mix is a commercial seed mix of upright, bushy, half-hardy annuals with ovate, toothed, dark green leaves and, from midsummer into autumn, double flowers with incurved petals in shades of purple, pink, red, and white.

Native to

Garden origin

Foliage

Deciduous

Habit

Branching, Compact, Upright

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Colour

Flower

Pink, White, Red, Purple in Summer; Red, Purple, Pink, White in Autumn

Foliage

Dark-green in Spring; Dark-green in Summer; Dark-green in Autumn

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How to care

Watch out for

Specific pests

Aphids , Cutworms

Specific diseases

Foot and root rot , Fusarium wilt

General care

Pruning

This cultivar can be cut or pinched back in early summer to encourage a bushier, compact form and later flowers. Deadhead regularly to prolong flowering.

Propagation

Sow seed at 16C in early spring or sow in situ in mid-spring. If purchased as plug plants, repot and plant out only after the danger of frost has passed.

Propagation methods

Seed

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Callistephus chinensis Ticklish Mix (China aster Ticklish Mix) will reach a height of 0.25m and a spread of 0.3m after 1 year.

Suggested uses

Beds and borders, Containers, Cottage/Informal, Flower Arranging, Wildlife

Cultivation

Grow in fertile, moist but well-drained, neutral to alkaline soil in sun. Water regularly in dry periods.

Soil type

Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)

Soil drainage

Moist but well-drained

Soil pH

Alkaline, Neutral

Light

Full Sun

Aspect

South, West

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.

Indoor unheated (H2), Tender in frost (H3)

USDA zones

Zone 11, Zone 10, Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5, Zone 4, Zone 3, Zone 2

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Callistephus chinensis Ticklish Mix (China aster Ticklish Mix)

Common pest name

Asterleafhopper

Scientific pest name

Macrosteles quadrilineatus

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

4

General biosecurity comments

Leafhopper pest native to North America; where it is responsible for purple top wilt disease of potatoes and aster yellows in lettuce. Not known to be present in the UK or elsewhere in the EU and statutory action will be taken in response to confirmed findings.

Defra's Risk register #2

Plant name

Callistephus chinensis Ticklish Mix (China aster Ticklish Mix)

Common pest name

Corn borer; Corn moth; European corn borer; European maize borer; European stalk borer; Maize pyralid

Scientific pest name

Ostrinia nubilalis

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Present (Limited)

Likelihood to spread in UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Polyphagous boring pest present in the UK since the 1930’s. A maize-affecting race was detected for the first time in 2010. Industry may wish to monitor for its presence and mitigate against impacts.

Defra's Risk register #3

Plant name

Callistephus chinensis Ticklish Mix (China aster Ticklish Mix)

Common pest name

Green semi-looper

Scientific pest name

Chrysodeixis eriosoma

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Polyphagous moth pest which is morphologically identical to a pest already established in the UK in protected environments and being controlled by IPM. Not expected to cause greater impacts than other species of Chrysodeixis in the UK.

About this section

Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.

Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here

Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.

Date updated: 7^th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/