Should Asters Be Pinched?

Asters, like chrysanthemums and some of the taller sedums, can tolerate weekly pinching during spring and early summer. By gently pinching off 1 inch of the growing tips of all the primary stems, you encourage a stockier habit and more flower buds.

How do you pinch back asters?

To pinch asters, use your fingernail to remove stem tips and the first set of young leaves. Pinch the stem just above a leaf or bud. Pinching works by removing the primary bud, which diverts energy to the side buds.

How do you keep asters from getting leggy?

A: Asters tend to get tall and leggy if left to grow on their own. They may be pinched back regularly from now until mid-July or cut back to half their height once by mid-July. Pinching back can be as little as pinching off the last cluster or top bud on a branch or as much as reducing the stem back to a side bud.