CHEERFUL STOCK | MATTHIOLA INCANA / SEED Stock is a long-standing cut flower favorite because of the incredible fragrance and form. Stock requires cool temperatures for optimum flowering and quality but Cheerful is an early flowering series that requires less cooling to initiate flowering. Cheerful is generally one to three weeks earlier flowering than our Mid Cheerful series, depending on temperature. This Cheerful series produces voluminous highly scented blooms about 2 inches across on strong stems with 90% of the plants producing double flowers. 90% of the plants produce double flowers without seedling selection for a more cost effective crop Extra-early flowering in cool climates Growing Stock Plug Culture – 4 weeks (288 / 12 x 24 tray) Stage One (days 1-10) Sow seed into trays filled with a well-drained media at a pH of 5.8-6.2 and lightly cover with vermiculite. Maintain even moisture and a soil temperature of 65-68°F/18-20°C. *Selection for double seedlings may be done between days 8 and 13. Stage Two (days 11-17) After germination is complete, move seedling trays to a well-lighted area, up to 2,500 foot-candles/27,000 lux, with good ventilation. Fertilize lightly with 100 ppm N and grow at a day temperature of 60F/16C and a night temperature of 55F/13C. Stage Three ( days 18-25) Fertilize as needed to maintain strong growth and provide high light and good air circulation. Stage Four (days 26-30) When the plugs have 4-5 true leaves, transplant to the bed. Avoid root bound plugs and delayed transplanting. * Stock Iron produces 55% double flowers without selection. To increase the percentage of double flowers, use the following procedure. 1. Triple sow a 288-plug tray with Stock Iron seed. 2. 8 days after sowing remove the last to germinate seedling with a tweezers. If only two seedlings germinate wait until the next step. 3. Around day 9-10 allow the soil to dry slightly. This will make the final selection easier. Make the final selection around day 14 before the emergence of the first true leaves. – The double-flowered seedlings are more vigorous and grow more rapidly. – Double-flowered seedlings have larger and longer cotyledons with a more irregular/elliptical shape and a lighter green color. – Single-flowered seedlings will be shorter, with smaller cotyledons with a more round/oval shape and darker green color.
