How to Grow Stock
How to Grow Stock
How to Grow: Stock (Matthiola incana)
Once you smell the intoxicating aroma of Stock, you’ll know EXACTLY why they are loved and adored! The smell is hard to describe… sweet… peppery… clove-like… However you choose to describe it, it's memorable and delightful!
It’s hard to believe that this beautiful flower is actually in the Brassica family, related to broccoli, cabbage, kale, and cauliflower.
Stock can be a bit tricky to grow, as it generally grows best in cold temperatures… and let’s face it, most growers are not thinking about planting flowers in late winter/early spring when they need to go in the ground. If planted too late in the season as temperatures are rising, the plants will fail to thrive.
Thankfully, there has been a recent introduction of a variety called “Anytime” Stock that has much more heat tolerance and can be planted later in the season.
Stock "Anytime Mix"
It’s important to note that most Stock seeds will produce about 50% “Double” flowers and 50% “Single” flowers. Some growers will start 2x as many seedlings as they need and rogue out/eliminate the single flowering seedlings (there are very slight differences at the cotyledon stage. It requires years of experience to be able to tell the difference). Others just grow all of the seedlings and simply discard the stems with singles.
On our farm, we just grow them all and tuck the singles into bouquets. While they don’t look as pretty as the doubles, they still have a lovely scent.
PROS
They have a wonderful strong scent. Very few cut flowers have a scent, so this makes Stock especially valuable in bouquets.
They are beautiful in mixed bouquets or in vase by themselves.
They have a good vase life of 7-10 days
They are easy to grow IF you start them at the right time (very early in the season).
They are the perfect spring bouquet flower!
CONS
They are a one-and-done plant. They will not rebloom.
They need to be grown and planted early in the season, which can be hard for some people.
They do not tolerate heat. Once it gets warm, the plants decline rapidly (except the “Anytime Stock”, which has better tolerance).
Some plants will produce single flowers, which are not as desirable as the double flowers.
Stock Anytime Mix
CHOOSING SEEDS
The following Stock series are a great choice for cut flower use:
Cheerful
Iron
Katz
StoX
Here are a few of my favorite Stock to grow for cut flower use:
“Anytime Mix” (bred to have better heat tolerance, which allows a wider range of planting time. Ideal for home growers)
“Iron Mix”
“Iron Rose Pink”
“Iron Pink”
“Iron White”
“Stox Champagne”
“StoX Rose”…
Stock "StoX Champagne"
Stock "Iron Mix"
HOW TO SOW
Stock is easy to start from seed. The trick is to remember to start the seeds early enough in the season!
Transplants or Direct Sow?
Start seeds as transplants about 8-10 weeks before your Average Last Spring Frost. Do not direct sow.
Sow 2 seeds per cell. Stock doesn’t mind growing with a buddy. Germination should take about 10-14 days.
Plant out the seedlings when they are about 4-6 weeks old. It should be cool (about a month before your Average Last Spring Frost), as they require about 2-3 weeks of temperatures between 40-55F to promote flowering. They are frost tolerant, but if it gets well below freezing the plants may need to be covered with a sheet at night.
Since Stock is a one-and-done plant, you may want to plant 2-3 successions about 2 weeks apart. However, remember that planting them too late in the season will often fail because of excessive heat.
If you have a long, cool spring, you may be able to squeeze in 3 successions. But if your weather goes from freezing to broiling (like ours does in Michigan!), you may only get one planting.
Stock seedlings ready for transplant
PLANT SPACING
Stock can (and should!) be spaced close together. We plant 2 seedings in the same planting hole, every 6 inches. This year, I’m going to try 4 inches because even at 6 inches, there is wasted space.
Stock "Iron Mix"
GROWING ON
Stock likes to grow in well-composted, fertile growing beds. Fertilizing is minimal since it’s a one-and-done plant.
Netting or support can be helpful but not completely necessary.
Pinching is NOT recommended for Stock, unless you are growing a variety that is listed as “branching” or “spray-type”, such as “Quartet”.
Stock "Iron Mix"
STAGE OF HARVEST
Harvest the stems when about ⅓ of the blooms are open. The other blooms will open up slowly in the vase. Strip the leaves from the stem to make sure there are no leaves in the bucket or vase that could rot (remember that they are related to broccoli and cabbage… and you know what rotting broccoli and cabbage smell like!)
Stock "Anytime Mix" (Unheated hoophouse grown on the left, field grown on the right)
POST-HARVEST CARE
Besides frequent water changes, Stock requires no other special post-harvest care.
Stock "Anytime Mix" blooming in August!
QUESTIONS?
Ask them here and I’ll get back to you!
Ready for more?
If you’re serious about growing the garden of your dreams this year, register for my online course, “Backyard Cutting Garden 101”. You’ll find everything you need to plan, grow, harvest and arrange your stunning blooms. I can’t WAIT to help you grow! Click on the button below for all the details.
