How to grow stock (Matthiola incana) from seed: what soil to use for stock
If you want to add a potted plant to your home, stock (Matthiola incana) is definitely one of the varieties people often choose, because it not only looks noble and elegant and gives a mysterious feeling, but its fragrance is also charming. Many friends are attracted by exactly this advantage, and placing it at home is truly refreshing and delightful.
How to grow stock from seed
1. After the seeds of stock mature, they should be sown promptly. Seedlings grown from seed need 2-3 years to bloom. The planting distance is 45-60cm, and a planting depth of 7-8cm is suitable. Forcing cultivation can also be carried out.
2. After sowing, cover with a layer of medium-sized vermiculite. The optimal pH for stock is 5.5-5.6. Maintain a certain humidity and keep the temperature at around 18-21°C. For seedling management, after the stock seeds have fully germinated, move the seedling plug trays to a place with plenty of light and good ventilation.
3. In the second and third stages of seedling raising, 27000Lux of light needs to be provided. A small amount of nitrogen fertilizer needs to be provided. The daytime temperature drops to 21°C, and the nighttime temperature drops to 10°C. From germination until the fifth true leaf grows out, this temperature variation rule must be maintained.
4. For soil and air humidity, keep the EC value of the soil in which stock seeds grow at around 0.7mmhos, supply circulating air, and maintain relative humidity at around 70%.
5. Transplanting stock into pots: when the seedlings have two true leaves, they can be potted into another container. The temperature is initially 15-18°C, then gradually drops to 10°C after one week, and after another week drops to around 5°C. In spring, they can be maintained and managed at natural temperature, and at this time normal fertilizing can also begin.
6. Sowing stock seeds: before sowing, the potting soil should be relatively moist. After sowing, cover with a thin layer of fine soil and do not water again. If within half a month the potting soil becomes dry, the pot can be placed half-submerged in water so that water enters from the bottom of the pot and moistens the soil. After sowing, pay attention to shading, and seedlings will emerge in about 15 days.
What soil to use for growing stock
1. The most commonly used three-in-one soil for stock: perlite has good drainage performance, a neutral pH value, is clean and sterile, contains no nutrients, and has low fertilizer and water retention.
2. Vermiculite: slightly acidic, clean and sterile, with moderate fertilizer and water retention.
3. Peat soil: slightly acidic, contains organic matter, and has strong fertilizer and water retention.
How to prune stock
Stock generally does not need to be pinched by everyone, but if too many true leaves grow, a few can be removed, and keeping 6-7 is enough. At the same time, the top buds should also be removed, and then only three or four branches on the upper part of the side branches need to be kept, with all the rest removed.
Also, because some stock plants are too tall, pruning can cause the stems and leaves to become thin and weak, unable to withstand the slightest wind, so flower lovers should pay attention to supporting them in time to prevent the plants from toppling. Only by removing all the leggy branches and leaves and keeping the parts most beneficial to the plant and most aesthetically pleasing in appearance can flowering be increased and the flowering period be lengthened.
Placement of stock
1. Placed in the living room
Placing two or three stock plants due east in the home's living room can promote the health and longevity of family members. The due east position of the living room is related to the health of the residents. If lush stock is placed in this area, it can promote the health and longevity of family members and bring complete joy and fulfillment.
2. Placed in the bedroom
Its role: the bedroom is the place we use every day to rest, and it is closely related to our daily life. Placing one or two stock plants in the window-side position of our home's kitchen is also greatly helpful in promoting our health and longevity. It itself is closely related to people's physical health, and placing stock in the window-side position allows the stock to more fully absorb the essence of the sun and moon and grow better. In feng shui, it also represents that our health is getting better and better. Therefore, placing stock in the window-side position of the bedroom is very good.
3. Placed at the doorway
Placing one or two stock plants at the doorway in the home environment is also beneficial for safeguarding wealth. It can not only decorate the home environment, so that as soon as we enter the door we can see thriving stock, but it can also safeguard our wealth and bring in sources of wealth. Therefore, placing stock at the entrance of the home is also a very good choice.
To grow a good pot of stock, its sowing method and soil requirements are both very strict. The commonly used soil is three-in-one soil, and its conditions in all aspects are very suitable for the growth of stock. In addition to these conditions, we must also often care for it to prevent it from growing too messy and affecting its appearance.