How to grow stock (Matthiola incana)? Detailed guide to cultivation methods and care tips

Stock flowers come in single and double forms. The double flowers are large and compact, like hydrangea blooms forming a flower column; the single flowers are loose, with blossoms like butterflies chasing and dancing. The flower colors are rich and gorgeously lovely, and they have an inviting fragrance. Its varieties are divided into 3 types:

(1) Summer stock: also called fragrant stock. Annual, with small stems and leaves, early-flowering, growing period 100-150 days, with a strong fragrance. After spring sowing, it blooms from June to August.

(2) Autumn stock: sown in early spring, it blooms in autumn. Sown in autumn and cultivated in a greenhouse, the flowering period lasts from winter to spring.

(3) Winter stock: a perennial flower, with a larger plant. In southern China it can be grown in the open ground. Sown in autumn, the flowering period lasts from winter to summer. Because the sowing times of the above 3 types of stock differ, in warm regions they can basically be kept blooming all year round.

Stock should not be planted too densely, otherwise poor ventilation will cause pests and diseases. It is suitable to plant in fertile soil with good drainage. The potting soil can be mixed from 2 parts humus soil, 2 parts garden soil, and 1 part river sand. During the growing season, fertilize once every 10 days. Nitrogen fertilizer should not be excessive; phosphorus and potassium fertilizers should be applied. Stop fertilizing during the flowering period and in winter. Generally, when the soil surface is dry and whitish, water immediately, alternating wet and dry. Stock prefers a warm climate in winter and should be moved indoors; it tolerates a brief low temperature of -5°C. Propagation is mainly by sowing.

In the central region of China, sowing in the open ground is generally done in mid-September. When collecting seeds, single-petaled flowers should be selected as the mother plant. Although double-petaled flowers have high ornamental value, they cannot set seed because they lack pistils. If seeds are collected from potted mother plants, the second generation will have a relatively high double-petaled rate, accounting for more than about 50%. 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 dries out, the pot can be set half-submerged in water so that water enters from the bottom of the pot to moisten the soil. After sowing, pay attention to shading, and seedlings will emerge in about 15 days.