Growing Stock from seed:

• Fragrant Blooms: Stock flowers are known for their delightful fragrance, which can fill a room or garden with a pleasant aroma. Including them in floral arrangements can enhance the sensory experience.

• Long-lasting Cut Flowers: Stock flowers have a good vase life, often lasting up to a week or more when properly cared for. This makes them an excellent choice for long-lasting bouquets and floral displays.

• Variety of Colors: Stock flowers come in a wide range of colors, including white, pink, purple, red, and yellow. This variety allows for creative and visually stunning floral arrangements, catering to various aesthetic preferences.

• Attractive Foliage: In addition to their beautiful blooms, stock plants have attractive silvery-green foliage, which can add texture and depth to floral arrangements. The combination of flowers and foliage makes stock a versatile addition to any bouquet.

• Ease of Growth: Stock is relatively easy to grow from seed. It prefers cool weather and can be sown directly into the garden or started indoors before the last frost. The plants are hardy and can thrive with minimal maintenance, making them suitable for gardeners of all experience levels.

Quick Guide

Start Indoors:

• Timing: 5-6 weeks before last spring frost

• Seed Depth: 1/4"

• Germination time: 7-10 days

• Transplant out: On last frost date

Plant Specifications

Step-by-Step Instructions - Starting Seeds Indoors

Collect Supplies:

• Seeds

• Seed starting trays or pots

• Seed starting mix (sterile)

• Labels and a marker

• Plastic wrap or a humidity dome

• Spray bottle or watering can with a fine nozzle

• Grow lights or a sunny windowsill

  Timing

  • When to Start: Begin the process about 5 to 6 weeks before the last expected frost date in your area.

  Preparation

  • Clean Containers: Sterilize your seed starting trays or pots to prevent disease.

  • Moisten Seed Mix: Slightly moisten your seed starting mix so it's damp but not soggy.

  Planting Seeds

  • Fill Trays: Fill each cell in the seed tray with the moist seed starting mix.

  • Sow Seeds: Place 1-2 seeds 1/4" deep in each cell.

  • Label Trays: Label each tray or pot with the variety and the planting date.

  Germination

  • Cover Seeds: Cover seeds and add a thin layer of fine vermiculite to prevent algae growth on soil surface.

  • Moisten Surface: Use a spray bottle to mist the top of the soil.

  • Create Humidity: Cover the seed trays with plastic wrap or a humidity dome to maintain moisture.

  • Warmth: Place the trays in a warm location (70-75°F or 21-24°C). A heat mat can help.

  Light and Watering

  • Lighting: Once the seeds germinate (about 7-10 days), remove the cover and place the seedlings under grow lights or in a sunny windowsill. Provide 12-16 hours of light per day.

  • Watering: Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Water from the bottom if possible to prevent damping-off disease.

  Take Care of Seedlings

  • Thinning: Once seedlings have two sets of true leaves, thin them to one plant per cell or pot.

  • Hardening Off: About a week before transplanting outdoors, start to harden off your seedlings by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions for increasing time periods each day.

  Transplanting Outdoors

  • Timing: Transplant the seedlings outdoors after all danger of frost has passed.

  • Soil Preparation: Choose a sunny spot with well-draining soil. Amend with compost if needed.

  • Planting: Plant seedlings 4-6 inches apart, depending on the variety. Use netting or a trellis to support plants for straight cut flower stems.

  • Watering: Water thoroughly after planting.