with MERCEDES SARMINI

Common Name – China Aster Latin name – Callistephus Family (Tribe) – Asteraecea Nickname – Michaelmas Daisy, Star Warts & Frost Flower Ruffled florets cutflower with yellow centered eye

Summer to autumn time cutflower

Gender – Female (high heels)

Beginnings- Seed

Anniversary – 20 Years

Birth Flower – September

Native to – China and Korea can also be found in North America Flower Day – Any Day

Species – 600 or 180?

Flowers of the Zodiac – No

‘Ms China Aster' – The Ancient Greeks, NAMED China Aster after the Greek word Aster meaning Star. The Greeks often used Ms China Aster to create Wreaths, which then they would place on the Alters to pay Tribute to the GODS! – they also made an Ointment from Ms China Aster to heal the effects of a bite from MAD DOG Both the English & the German's believed that Aster hold's Magical Powers. The French know Ms China Aster as the Eye of CHRIST. The French lay Ms China Aster on the graves of Soldier's to Symbolise – “I wish thing's had turned out differently in BATTLE”! During the Victorian Era, Ms China Aster was used to convey the message – feeling of Love, Devotion and Daintiness. Ms. China Aster “message” bring us – I keep your VIBRATION'S STRONG! Healing description – Ms China Aster is used to give you protection from snakes and evil spirits - Burning of the dry leaves.

Ms China Aster has the Power to Pour Luck your way and increases your tolerance when it comes to Patience - What a great cutflower to decorate with at the Casino. Ms China Aster is associated with the qualities of faith, wisdom and valor.

Flower Care –

1. Keep cool! Never place in full sun.

2. Break bunches apart.

3. Strip leaves from the bottom half of each stem and wash stems thoroughly.

4. Recut at least 3 cm off each stem and place in cold water.

5. Use a preservative as this will keep flowers looking fresh.

6. Replace vase water with fresh preservative every day.

TIP – Do not cut Ms China Aster too early as the blooms will not open.

TIP – Remember all cut flowers need semi light - as photosynthesis is a food source for its wellbeing and longer vase life.

TIP - Air Conditioning draws out moisture from cutflowers. So be mindful to place your flowers away from direct air conditioning to get extra KM out of them.

TIP - Avoid ‘don't place near fruit bowls esp. with ripening fruit and vegetables, tap water, cooling and heating i.e. air conditioning and cigarette smoke.

It's a Great Cutflower to have around you when your reflecting – the after thought.

What to look out for when purchasing?

• At least half the flowers should be fully open

• Round flowers with unblemished petals.

• Foliage should be firm and green, with no sign of yellowing.

Sign of Aging

• Yellow and weak leaves

• Aging of the florets from behind the face of Ms China Aster • Droopy head and weak neck

The Floral Gossip

• Associated chakra Balancing – Root, Solar Plexus & heart

• Colours – Shades of Pink and Purple, Blue, Red and White

• Season – Summer to Autumn

• Availability – Two seasons

• Cousins – Sunflower, Zinnia, Gerbera, Dandelion, Artichoke

• Flower food – Yes

• It's an annual, Perennial & Biennial

• Avoid ‘don't place near fruit bowls esp. with ripening fruit and vegetables, tap water, cooling and heating i.e. air conditioning and cigarette smoke

• Vase life – 10 days - Long Lasting

• Edible – No

• Drying – No

• Keep Ms China Aster away from droughts & excess heat.

• Ms. China Aster looks great mixed with other cutflowers such as Sunflowers, Gerbera, Snapdragon, Lilium & Iris.

• Fragrance – Yes

• Ethylene Sensitive- No

• Scold – No

• Skin irritation – No

• Named after Saint- N/A

• Great uses in at the moment Bouquets , Front view arrangement, Wreaths, Radial arrangement, Bouquet & Sheaf

• Certain varieties of the Ms China Aster are said to help with migraines, colds and headaches, while others are used to aid in treating the pain of sciatica and muscle spasms.

• Ms China Aster It believed according to past times, that burning Aster leaves drove demons and snakes away

• In Victorian times it is said to improve the flavor of honey, boil China Aster in wine & place near a Bee Hive

• Each colour of Ms China Aster represents a message, - e.g. China Aster in purple represents Wisdom & devotion and it has been used to Denote Royalty.

• Ms China Aster has been linked to the Greek God Virgo, who was saddened by the lack of Stars in the Sky that she began to cry. As her tears fell to the ground, Ms China Aster Sprouted.

• Science has proven that Cutflowers have a vibrational force that helps bring Man back to consciousness. Floral vibrations are an invisible liquid that is action packed with healing properties to help you maintain your mental health.

• Being in the presence of cutflowers offers healing and support. Healing happens because flowers and plants have the power to change an individual's ENERGY & through this the healing response begins.

• Remember emotional change leads to healing for example looking at Beauty is healing – so the Protocol is this THE FORMULA

You need to connect with the cutflower so you can manifest its GIFT he or she has for YOU!