How to Grow Stock from Seed: A Complete Guide for Beginners

Growing stock from seed can seem intimidating for beginner gardeners. But with the right information and preparation, you can have a beautiful stock garden that will provide lovely cut flowers and intoxicating fragrance for months. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know to successfully grow stock from seed.

An Overview of Stock Flowers

Stock flowers, also known as gillyflower or matthiola, belong to the brassica family along with broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower But unlike their vegetable cousins, they are prized for their stunning colors, sweet clove-like fragrance, and long vase life as cut flowers

In recent years, the old favorite for cottage gardens has become very popular again. Modern stock varieties come in many colors, such as pink, purple, white, yellow, peach, and rose. They grow 12 to 15 inches tall on straight stems that are covered in bright flowers. You can’t help but lean down and breathe in the strong clove and peppery smell of stock plants as you walk by.

When to Plant Stock Seeds

When you sow your seeds at the right time is one of the keys to growing stock from seeds. Stock does best in cool weather and blooms most when it’s 40 to 55°F. If you plant them too late, the heat of the summer will make them not germinate or flower well.

Start stock seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last expected spring frost. For most regions, aim to sow seeds in late February or March. Harden off the seedlings for 1-2 weeks, then transplant them into the garden about 4 weeks before your average last frost date.

You can succession sow more seeds every 2-3 weeks for a continuous harvest. But keep in mind that stock doesn’t tolerate heat well, so early spring and fall are the best times for stock.

How to Sow Stock Seeds

Stock can be direct sown into the garden after the threat of hard frost has passed. But it’s much easier to control growing conditions by starting with indoor seed sowing. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

1. Use Seed Starting Mix

Fill clean seed trays or pots with a quality seed starting mix, which is lightweight and sterile. Wet the mix thoroughly and let excess water drain out before sowing.

2. Sow Seeds & Cover Lightly

Sow 2-3 seeds per cell, 1/4 inch deep. Gently sprinkle mix over the seeds and lightly tamp down. Stock seeds need light to germinate, so don’t cover too deeply.

3. Provide Gentle Bottom Heat

Place seed trays on a propagation mat or another source of gentle bottom heat to keep the soil between 65°F and 70°F.

4. Provide Light & Humidity

Place trays in bright indirect light and cover with a humidity dome or plastic wrap to retain moisture.

5. Water Carefully

Keep the starting mix consistently moist but not soggy until seedlings emerge. Bottom watering helps prevent fungal disease.

6. Remove Dome & Thin Seedlings

Once seedlings appear, remove the humidity dome. Thin to 1 seedling per cell when true leaves appear.

7. Harden Off & Transplant

Slowly get seedlings used to being outside by leaving them outside for a few hours each day for one to two weeks before moving them to the garden.

How to Grow Stock in the Garden

With the right care, stock will reward you with an abundance of fragrant cut flowers. Here are some tips for growing stock successfully:

Location

Plant in full sun to partial shade. Stock thrives in cool conditions. Provide some afternoon shade in hot summer climates.

Soil

Prepare beds with compost-rich, well-draining soil. Stock prefers slightly alkaline soil with a pH between 6.5-7.5.

Spacing

Space plants 6-8 inches apart in rows 12-15 inches apart. Plant companions like snapdragons and lobelia between stock plants.

Watering

Keep soil consistently moist, especially during flowering. Add mulch to retain moisture. Avoid wet foliage, which can encourage disease.

Fertilizer

Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer every 2-3 weeks during the growing season. Stock is light feeder that doesn’t require heavy fertilization.

Staking

Install short 12-18 inch stakes around plants to provide support if needed. Select compact varieties like Cinderella that don’t require staking.

How to Harvest Stock

• Harvest stock stems when flowers start opening, typically 8-10 weeks after transplanting.

• Cut stems in the morning when flowers are most fragrant.

• Cut each stem just above a set of leaves to encourage more blooms.

• Condition in warm water for 30 minutes before arranging bouquets.

• Strip off leaves that would sit below the water line.

• Enjoy stock bouquets for up to 7-10 days indoors.

Troubleshooting Common Stock Problems

Growing stock does come with a few potential challenges. Here are some common issues and how to resolve them:

Leggy seedlings – Insufficient light causes seedlings to stretch. Provide 14-16 hours under grow lights or a sunny window.

Poor germination – Old seeds, incorrect planting depth, or overheating seedlings can cause poor germination. Start fresh seeds at the proper planting time.

Leaf yellowing – This can indicate overwatering, poor drainage, or nutritional deficiencies. Allow soil to dry out between waterings and apply a balanced fertilizer.

Slow flowering – Stock needs consistently cool temperatures around 50-60°F to bloom well. Time plantings for early spring and fall.

Height collapse – Extreme summer heat causes plant collapse. Provide afternoon shade cloth and extra mulch.

Powdery mildew – White powdery fungus encouraged by wet leaves and humidity. Improve airflow and avoid overhead watering.

Aphids – These tiny sucking insects cause distorted growth. Remove by hand or use insecticidal soap.

With proper timing, planting, and care you can avoid many of these common problems with stock. Pay close attention to their cultural requirements for the best results.

Tips for Growing Stock from Seed

Here are some key tips to remember when growing stock from seed:

• Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last spring frost for best germination.

• Sow seeds in sterile seed starting mix and provide bottom heat of 65-70°F.

• Grow seedlings under lights or in a sunny window to prevent leggy, weak growth.

• Harden off transplants for 7-14 days before moving to the garden.

• Time plantings for early spring or fall when temperatures are cool.

• Space plants 6-8 inches apart in compost-amended soil.

• Water regularly during flowering, allowing soil to dry out between waterings.

• Stake taller varieties and provide wind protection.

• Harvest flower stems when blooms start to open.

• Deadhead spent blooms to encourage more flowering.

Recommended Stock Varieties

Many lovely stock varieties are available to suit different growing conditions, flower forms, colors, and height. Here are some top-rated types to try in your garden:

• Cheerful Mix – 12” tall mix of double blooms in bright colors.

• Cinderella – Compact 10” plants with fragrant double blooms.

• Iron Mix – Heat tolerant mix in rose, white, purple and pink.

• Katz Orange – Vibrant double orange blooms on 15” plants.

• Organza Mix – Early blooming double and single white, pink and purple.

• StoX Pink – Prolific double pink flowers on 15” plants.

• Anytime Mix – More heat tolerant for late spring planting.

Enjoy an Abundance of Fragrant Stock Flowers

The intoxicating clove-like fragrance is one of the best parts of growing stock in your garden. With proper planning and care, even beginners can succeed at growing stock from seed and enjoy vase after vase of lovely flowers. The time and effort spent is rewarded with their beautiful blooms and unforgettable scent.