How to Grow Stock Flowers
| Botanical Name | Matthiola incana |
| Common Name | Stock, gilly flower, hoary, ten-weeks |
| Plant Type | Biennial or half-hardy annual |
| Mature Size | 12 to 36 in. tall |
| Sun Exposure | Full sun to part shade |
What does a stock flower plant look like?
Some annual varieties of stock flower plants can grow in excess of 3 inches in height. The woody stems measure 20 – 28 cm across in diameter. The branches have a circular arrangement of leaves (rosettes). Usually, these lanceolate, attenuated leaves have an ash-color. The plants themselves have a starry appearance with white or cream hairs.
How long does it take to grow stock flowers?
How to Grow Stock Flowers. Growing stock is not a complicated project, but it does require a period of cold. The duration of cold needed as a part of stock plant care is two weeks for early blooming types and 3 weeks or more for late varieties. Temperatures should remain at 50 to 55 F. (10-13 C.) during this timeframe.
Where do stock flower plants grow?
Stock flower plant is indigenous to southern European regions. You can find these plants growing in abundance from Balearics to the lush lands of former Yugoslavia. Over time, these coastal plants have naturalized in western Mediterranean regions including hinterlands at altitudes of about 600 meters.
How tall do Cinderella stock plants grow?
'Cinderella' stock. Matthiola Cinderella Series stock plants bear double flowers in a range of shades. The compact plants grow 10 inches tall.
See more
How big do stock plants get?
Stock plants grow up to three feet tall. The flowers make good-cut flowers for indoor arrangements. A dwarf variety, growing just 8″ – 12″ tall, is also available. In addition to being fragrant, the flowers are attractive in a range of bright colors.
Does stock flower come back every year?
In warmer climates, stock is considered a perennial, as the hardy plants can survive for several years, coming back with sturdier, woodier stems each year, until the summer heat eventually takes its toll.
How do you keep stock flowers blooming?
Stock flowers enjoy full sun but will bloom just fine in partial shade conditions, as long as they get at least 2-3 hours of sun per day; indirect sunlight will also keep them blooming. Too much hot bright sunlight will overwhelm them, so morning sun is better than afternoon sun.
How do I keep my stock blooming all summer?
Stock flowers bloom from spring to summer, offering continuous blooms in the sunny garden when given the right stock plant care. Caring for stock plants includes growing them in well-draining soil. Keep the soil moist and deadhead spent blooms.
Do Stocks need pinching out?
Pinch plants every few weeks to keep them in bloom as long as possible. Gather blossoms to use as cut flowers just as they open.
When should you cut back Stocks?
Cutting back after flowering Early-flowering perennials such as geraniums and delphiniums are cut to near ground level after flowering to encourage fresh foliage and late summer flowering. These are then cut back again in autumn or spring.
Do slugs eat stocks?
Don't grow plants that snails and slugs love to eat. Slugs and snails are usually selective, and there are some flowers and vegetables that they simply can't resist eating....Slug Control with copper for raised beds, planters & pots:Offer on AmazonOffer on AmazonOffers on eBayOffers on eBay2 more rows•Jul 2, 2018
How often do you water stock flowers?
This is a cool-weather flower that needs to be planted early, because it declines with summer heat. Sow seeds shallowly, barely covering them with 1/8 inch of fine soil. Maintain even moisture during germination, then one inch per week. Avoid oversaturation.
Are stock flowers easy to grow?
Growing Tips Stock requires cool temperatures to flower and will not form new blooms when temperatures rise above 65 degrees F. Tall cultivars may need staking, although the stems are generally strong. Stock is useful for beds, borders, and containers, but is best grown for cutting and for its exquisite fragrance.
Is stock a hardy annual?
Stock has a shorter bloom time than many other annuals, but it does quite well when handled as a hardy annual in cool maritime climates. Colors include white and many shades of pink.
Can you grow Stocks in pots?
Stocks (Matthiola) are super hardy and sturdy plants that are great in containers, on a terrace or as gap fillers in borders.
How do you pinch a stock?
Pinch as close to leaf nodes as possible, being careful not to injure the tiny buds beneath. Each time you remove a main stem, your plant will try to grow two new stems beneath the pinch or cut. This easy technique encourages fullness and also helps keep plant size in check.
How tall is a hybrid plant?
There are many hybrid series of plants from which to choose. Plant dimensions range from 12 to 36 inches tall, and nine to 18 inches wide. They are upright and may have one of two growth habits. Columnar varieties have a single stem and a dense cluster of flowers. Spray types are multi-stemmed with loose terminal blooms.
When to transplant seedlings to garden?
In both cool and warm regions, you can purchase nursery seedlings to transplant to the garden or containers as soon as they are available in early spring. Plant at the same depth the seedlings are in their nursery pots. And if you’re container gardening, remember to accommodate the mature dimensions.
How long does it take for a M. incana to sprout?
Place the cells in a sunny room with a temperature between 65 and 75°F. The seeds should sprout within two weeks. There are varieties of M. incana that have been bred to have a shorter growing season ranging from seven to 10 weeks – hence the nickname, “ten weeks.”.
What is the best pH for a M. incana plant?
For buds to set, the temperature must be below 60°F. Plants require full sun to light shade, and average to rich soil that drains well. The ideal pH is near neutral, or about 6.8 to 7.5.
How to acclimate a seedling to the outdoors?
After the danger of frost has passed, gradually acclimate the seedlings to the outdoors for a few hours a day, and then transplant them to the garden or containers. Place the seed starter cells level with the garden soil, to maintain the same planting depth.
Is M. incana a perennial?
Plants may thrive right through to fall in these locales. M. incana is a tender perennial In USDA Hardiness Zones 7 to 10 that may live for a few years, coming back with woodier stems each spring.
When does Nemesia bloom?
In cool-summer areas, such as the Pacific Northwest, nemesia will continue to bloom right through the summer into fall. Nemesia prefers moist, well-drained soil that's rich in organic matter.
When should I plant a sage plant?
Plant it in spring several weeks before your region's last frost date -- this annual thrives in cool temperatures and stops blooming once hot weather arrives. It's especially wonderful in window boxes and planters at nose level, where its sometimes subtle effect can best be appreciated.
Do pansies bloom in summer?
By summer, pansies bloom less and their foliage starts to brown. It's at this time that you'll have to be tough and tear them out and replant with warm-season annuals, such as marigolds or petunias. But that's part of their charm -- they are an ephemeral celebration of spring! Sweet Pea Lathyrus.
What is stock flower?
Stock flower info indicates there is a type of plant that’s actually named stock flower (commonly called Gillyflower) and botanically called Matthiola incana. Highly fragrant and attractive, you might wonder ...
When do stock plants bloom?
When growing stock plants, expect flowers to start blooming in spring and last through late summer, depending on your USDA hardiness zone. These fragrant blooms may take a break during the hottest days of summer.
How to care for stock flowers?
Caring for stock plants includes growing them in well-draining soil. Keep the soil moist and deadhead spent blooms. Grow this plant in a protected area in colder areas and mulch to protect roots in winter.
Can cold temperatures damage stock plants?
Colder temperatures may damage the roots. If you neglect this aspect of caring for stock plants, blooms will be sparse or possibly nonexistent. You may wish to purchase seedlings that have already had cold treatment if you live in an area without cooler winters.
Is stock flower a perennial or annual?
Stock flower info says the plant is an annual, grown from seed to fill those bare spots among other blooms in the spring to a summer garden. Other info says stock flowers can be biennial. In areas without freezing winters, stock flower info says it may even perform as a perennial.
What is stock flower?
Stock flower is a natural for indoor arrangements. The flower retains its shape and color long after it has been separated from the plant base and root system. Not only do stock flowers look excellent in a vase, the cut blooms continue to relinquish an amazing fragrance to enjoy indoors.
How many varieties of stock flowers are there?
The stock flower has been bred and cultivated to create more size and color varieties. There are now more than 60 known cultivars of stock flower to choose from. Here are a few standouts that we think you will enjoy.
How to plant stock flowers from seed?
If you choose to go with seedlings, dig out holes large enough to place the seedlings in, and plant them just two inches below the soil, where the crown of the plant is just beneath soil level.
How tall does a longipetala grow?
There are dwarf varieties that only grow to be eight to twelve inches tall and larger varieties that can grow two to three feet. M. longipetala, a variety of stock that only opens its blooms at night, is visually underwhelming, compared to other stock flowers. But what it lacks in pretty plumage, it makes up for in its unique perfume.
What is the smell of stock?
Stock (also called Matthiola incana, Gillyflower, perfume plant) is one of the most fragrant flowers you can grow. Its scent is described as both sweet and spicy, not to mention incredibly pleasant. Many gardeners who have experience growing stock flower suggest making the most of stock by positioning them to mature at nose height, ...
When do white goddess blooms bloom?
Though you may have no idea what color you’re going to get, you can expect to see plenty of large, fragrant, single blooms all throughout the spring and the first few weeks of summer. ‘White Goddess’ Stock: The white goddess cultivar is one of the most visually elegant stock flowers gardeners can find.
When does stock bloom?
Stock is a cool weather flower that blooms from early spring into summer. The summer heat stops stock from blooming, as it needs temperatures of 60 degrees Fahrenheit or lower in order to produce blossoms. Stock is planted as an annual, biennial, or perennial, depending on the region where they will be grown.
Characteristics of Stock Flower Plants
Depending on the regions, you can grow stock flower plants as perennials, or annuals.
Description of Stock Flower Plants
Some annual varieties of stock flower plants can grow in excess of 3 inches in height. The woody stems measure 20 – 28 cm across in diameter. The branches have a circular arrangement of leaves (rosettes). Usually, these lanceolate, attenuated leaves have an ash-color.
Propagation of Stock Flower Plants
Generally, the stock flower plants prefer to grow under full sun. They can tolerate partial afternoon shaded also. They also prefer loose, rich, slightly alkaline, and well-draining soil. Before planting, it is advisable to amend the soil with a general fertilizer.
Varieties of Stock Flower Plants
For several years, the stock flowers have been bred into various cultivars. Nowadays, you can easily find more than 60 known types of cultivars in floral markets. In addition, many unknown hybrids are cultivated by private growers and researchers for their due purpose. we have listed some of the popular stock flower varieties below
Pests and Diseases
This fungus affects plants in wet environments, particularly in cool climates. The infected parts of the plant develop a grey mold. Later, the disease-causing spores spread through wind and water to new plants.
Uses
The stock flowers are excellent additions to beautiful gardens. Most designers prefer these plants for edging or bordering lawns. Due to their tall blooming habits, you can plant them at the back of your flower beds.
What are stocks?
Stocks are known for their dense clusters of fragrant blossoms. The particular range of colours (from white, red, rose, purple, lavender and pink) that stocks can provide, combined with their beautiful scent, has made these flowers a classic of cool-season gardening. They can be grown as of late winter and early spring.
When to plant stocks?
Stock plug plants should be planted out between late August and mid-September. Remember to grow on plants undercover until they reach 8 to 10 cm in height at which point they’re ready to plant out.
How and where to plant stocks
You should plant your stocks where they will be positioned in full sun (though not high temperatures), in moist, freely draining soil. Plant them in a location where the scent will reach you in the garden. Stocks look particularly striking as part of a formal arrangement.
How do stocks flower?
Stock flowers grow in thick clusters on the spike-like stems. Taller growth and a greater profusion of flowers can be encouraged by pinching the shoots back. The flowers are also used as cut flowers as their scent and densely packed blooms look wonderful in an arrangement.
How to care for stocks
You should regularly water stocks and a monthly plant feeding are all that is required to care for your stocks. Cuttings can be taken from perennials at the end of the summer – snip off a shoot around 5 cm long, ideally cutting at the point of a leaf node. Nip off any flowers or buds on the shoot, and nip away all but three leaves.
What temperature do stock flowers need to bloom?
These annual flowers come in a range of colors and are usually grown from seed. They require temperatures below 65 degrees Fahrenheit (18 degrees Celsius) to blossom, and they stop flowering by summer, so you should plant the flowers early in ...
When do bromptons bloom?
Most other stock varieties are fast-growing, though, and blossom within a few weeks of being sown. Thanks!
Can pebbles damage stock flowers?
Smaller pebbles should not cause any damage, but large stones can present obstacles for developing roots, and weeds can compete with your stock flowers for valuable nutrition. ...
What is a night scented stock plant?
Night scented stock plant is one such gentle annual denizen. The flowers are a sweet wonder in faded tones that seem like they stepped out of another century. However, it is the aroma of these blooms that is the real attraction. You just have to stay outdoors into the evening hours to enjoy it.
How to grow night scented stock?
One tip for growing night scented stock is to stagger the seeds so the bloom period will be extended. Prepare a bed in a sunny location by tilling at least 8 inches (20 cm.) down into soil and ensure that the area is well draining. If it isn’t, incorporate sand or some compost to enhance percolation. Either is fine, as night scented stock plants ...
How tall does Matthiola Longipetala grow?
The common name is far more descriptive, as it refers to the flowers’ intensely sweet nighttime scent. Plants grow 18 to 24 inches (46 to 61 cm.) tall on sturdy stems with silvery green, lance-shaped leaves.
How to keep evening stock from getting soggy?
Keep the soil evenly moist but never soggy. The biggest pests for evening stock are aphids, which can be fought with bursts of water and horticultural soap or neem oil. Remove the spent blooms to promote more flowers. If you wish to harvest seed for the next season, allow flowers to persist until they form seed pods.
What does a rose smell like?
The smell of the flowers has been described primarily as resembling vanilla with some rose and spice mixed in. In United States Department of Agriculture zone 8 and above, the plant should be grown as a winter annual.
What is night stock?
Also known as evening stock plants, night scented stock is an old-fashioned annual that reaches its peak fragrance at twilight. The flowers have a blowy elegance in faded pastel hues and make excellent cut flowers. Best of all, evening stock plants are easy to grow and thrive in a wide range of soil situations provided they are in full sun.
