What are the characteristics of the stock (Matthiola incana)? A detailed guide in one article

Other names for the stock

Stock, also called caogui hua, sitaoke, and caozi luolan, is the collective name for plants of the various species under the genus Matthiola in the family Brassicaceae.

Morphological characteristics of the stock

The stock is a 2-year or perennial herbaceous flower, generally sown in autumn of the first year and blooming in spring of the following year, with a plant height of 30-60cm. The whole plant is covered with gray stellate soft hairs, the stem is upright, and the base is slightly woody. The leaves are broad, long elliptical or oblanceolate, with rounded blunt tips. The raceme is terminal and axillary, the pedicel is thick and strong, and the flowers come in purplish red, pale red, pale yellow, white and other colors. Single-petaled flowers can set seed, while double-petaled flowers do not set seed. The fruit is a cylindrical silique, and the seeds are winged. The flowering period is 12-4 months, and the fruit ripening period is 6-7 months.

Growth habits of the stock

The stock likes a cool climate and avoids dry heat. It likes a well-ventilated environment. In winter it likes 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 strict about soil, but grows better in well-drained, neutral to slightly alkaline soil, and avoids acidic soil. The stock is cold-resistant but not shade-tolerant, and fears waterlogging. It is suitable for growing in environments with a higher position, exposure to sunlight, and good ventilation and drainage. It must absolutely avoid muggy heat, and in moldy rainy weather that is hot with poor ventilation, it is prone to damage from pests and diseases. It requires fertile, moist and deep loam; it likes sufficient sunlight, but is also slightly tolerant of semi-shade; fertilizer should not be applied too much, otherwise it is unfavorable for flowering; if light and ventilation are insufficient, it is prone to pests and diseases.

Varieties of the stock

There are many horticultural varieties of the stock, with two strain types: single-petaled and double-petaled. The double-petaled strain has high ornamental value; the single-petaled strain can set seed, while the double-petaled strain cannot. Generally, plants grown from flat seeds can usually produce a large number of double flowers; while plump, full seeds mostly produce plants with single flowers.

The main cultivated varieties of the stock include the white "Aida" (Aida), the pale yellow "Carmen" (Carmen), the red "Francesco" (Francesco), the purple "Arabella" (Arabella) and the pale purplish red "Incana" (Incana), etc. According to plant height, there are three types: tall, medium and dwarf; according to different flowering periods, there are varieties such as summer stock, autumn stock and winter stock; according to different cultivation habits, there are annual and biennial types.

Stock flower language

Stock (blue) - vigilance, loyalty, I will always be loyal

Stock (white) - let us seize the opportunity for happiness

Stock (purple) - falling in love with you in a dream, to me you will always be so beautiful