How To Grow and Save Seed of Stocks
Stocks, Latin name Matthiola incana, are a fragrant flower that is incredibly sweet, spicy and utterly intoxicating! It is a member of the brassica family and one of the best-smelling flowers available. With its luxuriant and stunning clusters of blooms, this flower is a true classic.
HISTORY
Native to southern Europe, it grows from cliffsides to inland areas, thriving in chalk soils. Its beautiful fragrance makes it a popular cutting flower.
USES
- Ornamental
- Fragrant garden
- Cutting garden, cottage garden, containers, beds, borders, seaside gardens, grows well in the cracks of rock walls
- Makes an excellent cut flower for arrangements
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Start seeds indoors about one month before planting out.
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Sow seeds 1/4 inch deep.
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Ideal germination temperature is 60-65 F. Seeds germinate in 7-21 days.
- Keep in mind that stocks prefer cool weather and the plants' blooming ability will suffer in summer's heat, so it is ideally suited to early spring and fall.
- Space plants 8-12 inches apart.
- Stocks flourish in full sun and will provide glorious blooms throughout spring.
- When cutting, harvest stems when 1/3-1/2 of florets are open.
PESTS/SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS
- A few molds and rots can occur when overhead irrigation is used. Avoid this watering method and provide good drainage.
- Stocks are a brassica.
- You can hand pick the seeds from their dried brown pods and store in a cool, dark, dry place.
