Getting it to bloom

Why won't my Alma Potschke aster bloom? (and how to make it flower)

Also called Alma Potschke aster, Alma Potschke New England aster, Michaelmas daisy 'Alma Potschke' (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae 'Alma Potschke').

More about alma potschke aster

About Alma Potschke aster

Symphyotrichum novae-angliae 'Alma Potschke' · also called Alma Potschke aster, Alma Potschke New England aster · flowering

One of the showiest New England aster cultivars, 'Alma Potschke' produces masses of vivid salmon-pink to rose-red daisy flowers from late August through October, topping sturdy stems clad in rough, mid-green leaves. A reliable cottage-garden and wildlife-garden perennial, it is highly attractive to late-season butterflies and bees and is notably resistant to powdery mildew.

Plant type: flowering

Watch for — Flopping stems: Tall stems can splay open before flowering. Stake with ring supports in late May or pinch stems back by one-third in early June to encourage bushier, self-supporting plants.

The reasons alma potschke aster isn't blooming

Almost every non-blooming alma potschke aster traces back to one of these, roughly in order of how common they are:

Too little sun — most of these need full sun (or very bright light) to flower well; shade gives leaves, not blooms.
Too much nitrogen feed, driving lush foliage at the expense of flowers (very common with general or lawn feeds).
The plant has not been deadheaded, so it stops flowering once it sets seed.
Irregular watering — drought or waterlogging at the budding stage makes buds abort.
It is still too young or was checked by a transplant and is rebuilding before flowering.

Feeding alma potschke aster a high-nitrogen general feed and growing it in too little sun — you get a big leafy plant and almost no flowers.

The fix — how to get alma potschke aster to flower

Maximise sun. Give alma potschke aster the sunniest spot you have — for most bedding and fruiting plants, more direct light directly means more flowers.
Switch the feed. Move off high-nitrogen feeds and use a higher-potassium "bloom" or tomato-type feed as it comes into flower.
Deadhead regularly. Remove spent flowers often to keep it producing more rather than stopping to set seed.
Water consistently. Keep moisture even through budding and flowering — drought-then-flood swings make buds drop.

Light and feeding do most of the heavy lifting here. Dial in the spot with the light guide for alma potschke aster and get the feeding right with the alma potschke aster fertilising schedule — the wrong feed (too much nitrogen) is one of the most common silent reasons a healthy plant makes leaves instead of flowers.

Bloom season and what to expect

Alma Potschke aster flowers across its growing season (mostly summer) and, kept fed and deadheaded, can bloom for many weeks or right up to frost.

Post-bloom care so it flowers again

Deadhead, keep feeding lightly, and many will rebloom; collect seed from the best plants at the end of the season if you want to grow them again.

For everything else this plant needs day to day, see the full alma potschke aster care brief and its watering schedule — a stressed, badly watered plant rarely has the energy to flower at all.

Alma Potschke aster blooming — frequently asked questions

Why won't my alma potschke aster flower?

Alma Potschke aster blooms on the season's growth given enough sun, warmth and the right feed — there is no cold or photoperiod trick, just good growing conditions and a bloom-leaning feed. The most common reason it is not happening: Too little sun — most of these need full sun (or very bright light) to flower well; shade gives leaves, not blooms.

How do I make alma potschke aster bloom?

Give alma potschke aster the sunniest spot you have — for most bedding and fruiting plants, more direct light directly means more flowers. Move off high-nitrogen feeds and use a higher-potassium "bloom" or tomato-type feed as it comes into flower.

When does alma potschke aster normally bloom?