Leggy stocks seedlings
Stephanie newish gardener
Posts: 516
I've looked through old threads but can't find anything specific to help with my leggy stocks. They were grown in a seed tray in the greenhouse on the top shelf so weren't struggling for light but they are quite leggy and floppy.
I grew some last year that were equally floppy but that was most likely a light issue. Last year's did flower but they always looked a bit long
I potted these ones on last night, making sure to bury the stem up to the first leaves and they still look quite sad.
Any tips or should I just be patient and they'll be fine? I'm growing them 5 to a pot with the aim of putting the whole pot in the ground as a clump once I see roots in the bottom. Does that sound about right?
I'll leave them in the greenhouse today as we're expecting v heavy rain later, but think they need to go outside soon
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Are these night scented stock? If so, they are very gangly plants and best hidden behind other plants in the garden as they aren't really a very good looking plant, but the scent is divine.
It's recommended to direct sow but mine never survive the slugs so I do as above.
Can't help with other types of stock though.
Last edited: 03 June 2017 14:33:12
I don't know what to say for the best there, they are very leggy and weak, if you plant them out they will be chewed by slugs. I would try potting on in a little pot each, sinking in even more and wait until you have a big plant before planting out.
I think they are the night scented ones (packet in the shed so can't check just now) as they do smell nice and they were like this last year. We nipped to the local charity nursery earlier and they had stocks that were, well, stocky! Not like mine, so they must be a different variety.
This is of course where it pays to study the seed packet before purchasing...but the scent is lovely so I just need to make sure they are near nose height as the season progresses!
are they in multipurpose compost? I have same problem with my rudbeckia and I grew them in mpc and put it down to it being to nutrient rich and they are trying to grow too fast.
try seedling compost, I have bought some and plan to try again.
If they are night scented stock then they are much easier just sown direct. Too late for you now but personally I would just plant them out just as they are from the pot. Dig a hole and put the whole potful in. I wouldn't try and plant them out individually. And yes there are Virginia Stocks which are proper stocky. Differnet plant altogether but lovely smell as well.
I agree with hogweed, get them into the ground now, they won't grow any more robust and just get taller. If you need to, then put something to repel the slugs but in my garden, they pretty much leave them alone anyhow. I grow both types of Stock and agree, the scents from both are smashing.