What are the latest cultivation methods for stock (Matthiola incana)?
Stock is native to the Mediterranean coast and is now widely cultivated in southern China. It is a biennial or perennial herbaceous flower, generally sown in autumn of the first year and blooming in spring of the following year. In major Chinese cities there are often species that can be planted in gardens or greenhouses for ornamental purposes. Let us take a look below at the cultivation methods for stock!
Ecological habits of stock
Stock prefers a cool climate and avoids dry heat. It likes a well-ventilated environment. In winter it prefers a mild climate, but it can also tolerate a brief low temperature of -5°C. The suitable temperature for flower bud differentiation is 15°C. It is not demanding about soil, but grows better in well-drained, neutral to slightly alkaline soil, and avoids acidic soil.
Stock is cold-tolerant but not shade-tolerant, and fears waterlogging. It is suitable for growing in a higher position with access to sunlight and in an environment with good ventilation and drainage. It must absolutely avoid muggy heat. In moldy rainy weather that is hot and poorly ventilated, it is prone to pests and diseases. It requires fertile, moist and deep loam soil.
Stock likes full sunlight, but is also slightly tolerant of semi-shade. Fertilization should not be excessive, otherwise it is unfavorable for flowering. If light and ventilation are insufficient, it is prone to pests and diseases.
Propagation methods of stock
There are many methods that can be used to propagate stock, among which sowing and leaf cuttings are used relatively often. In addition, there are also various propagation techniques such as division and tissue culture. For home cultivation, it is recommended to use methods such as leaf cuttings, which are relatively simple to operate.
1. Seed propagation: Stock is mostly propagated by seed sowing. The sowing time is generally from mid-August to early October. Note that the sowing time cannot be too late, otherwise it will affect the plant's growth, overwintering, and the quantity and quality of flowering. It can also be adjusted according to the desired flowering time. Sowing in a greenhouse in February means flowering in May; sowing in March means flowering in June, and so on. However, if sown in July, it must wait until February to March of the following year to flower in the greenhouse. Seeds should not be too dense, otherwise the seedlings are prone to damping-off disease.
2. Leaf cutting propagation: Leaf cutting is the most commonly used method for propagating stock, generally carried out in spring and autumn. Select robust leaves from the plant that are free of pest and disease infection. If it is a variegated-leaf variety, choose leaves with fewer markings and more green as the best. Use a sharp knife to cut a leaf with a thick middle and a petiole of about 3 cm, let it dry slightly, and insert it upright into a medium mixed with peat and perlite. After leaf cutting, water thoroughly, then keep it moist, and provide appropriate shading. Usually at a temperature of about 23°C, roots will develop in 15-20 days. After that, reduce spraying. After 8-10 weeks, small plants can form. Large leaves can produce more than 10 small seedlings. Strong seedlings can be selected for transplanting. From leaf cutting to flowering generally takes 5-6 months.
3. Water propagation: Stock can also be propagated by water cutting. Cut a leaf from stock at an angle and insert the petiole into clean water. Note that the bottom needs to remain suspended. Add and change water, and in about 1 month it will take root and become a seedling. During the leaf cutting process, treating the petiole with 25 mg/L hormone for 24 hours is beneficial for rooting.
Cultivation methods of stock
1. Soil: Stock is not demanding about soil, but grows better in well-drained, neutral to slightly alkaline soil, and avoids acidic soil. The potting soil can be mixed with 2 parts humus soil, 2 parts garden soil, and 1 part river sand.
2. Watering: Generally, when the soil surface is dry and whitish, stock should be watered immediately, alternating wet and dry.
3. Sunlight: Stock likes full sunlight, but is also slightly tolerant of semi-shade. If light and ventilation are insufficient, it is prone to pests and diseases.
4. Temperature: Stock likes a warm winter, cool summer, and well-ventilated environment. In winter it can tolerate a brief low temperature of -5°C. It avoids dry heat. The suitable temperature for flower bud differentiation is 15°C.
5. Fertilization: During the growing season, fertilize stock once every 10 days. Nitrogen fertilizer should not be excessive; phosphorus fertilizer and potassium fertilizer should be applied. Stop fertilization during the flowering period and in winter.
6. Pruning: After stock flowers, the spent flowers should be cut off, so that it can send out branches and bloom again. The flowering period begins in mid-April, with a second flowering in June-July.
7. Pests and diseases: The editor will give everyone a relatively informative explanation of pest and disease control for stock in the article "Pest and Disease Control Techniques for Stock." Here the editor will not repeat it. Friends who want to know more, please go read it.