"FLOWER SEEDS FOR 
FLORISTS" 
IN GROWING STOCKS 
Our Non-branchins Stocks BALL WHITE hit it just right for Easter. Sown Nov. 1 in flats, transplanted from the 
seed flats to these beds a month later. Run them quite cold, around 40° nights. No harm in lowering it even 
to freezing, in fact low temperature strengthens the stems and flowers. Temperature can be increased some if 
necessary without harm. Nice Easter crop, isn’t it. 
A FEW fundamental points that must be observed everywhere should be of interest. Stocks are 
moderate temperature plants. When exposed to prolonged excessive heat before the buds 
are set, they will come blind, producing only a heavy growth of foliage. For this reason 
they are not satisfactory outdoors where summers are very hot. Also for this reason the winter crop 
should not be started, in the latitude of Chicago, earlier than July 20, — perhaps 10 days later as far 
south as St. Louis. For the same reason we do not sow later than February 10-15. More losses thru 
blind growth seem to occur from late spring sowing than thru gettirig started too early in the summer. 
This applies to both branching and non-branching. 
The earliest flowering varieties, such as Chamois Pink and perhaps Lilac Lavender in the non¬ 
branching and most of the Bismarcks if disbudded, can be flowered for Christmas without artificial lights 
if started not later than July 20, grown on a raised bed and a night temperature of 50-54° with 10-12° 
higher during the day. Fdowever, they might miss it if November and December should be excessively 
dark. But we find a January crop almost as valuable as one at Christmas. Mid-winter Stocks produce 
a harder growth with less chance of wilting on a raised 6 in. bed than on the ground. The later planting 
for March to May flowering does fine in a deep ground bed. A planting in late October or November 
can be flowered for Easter of most dates,- they can safely be run very cold to hold them back if too 
early or pushed some with heat if necessary. A January 1 sowing, planted out a month later and a night 
temperature of 50° maintained, will make Mother’s Day. As these lines are written we are harvesting 
a Mother’s Day crop, seed sown January 15 and seedlings planted February 15. Chamois Pink is 
hitting it just right, but our Ball White and Lilac Lavender are about a week late. Much depends on 
the total sunshine. To get a strong growth, clean of rot about the base, we find it necessary to either 
steam sterilize or saturate the soil thoroly with hot water. If in doubt about the effect of this on your 
soil, leave an untreated check plot. Much loss is sustained in Stocks thru this form of stem rot that we 
get away from nearly 100% thru sterilizing the soil as suggested. Also, we have had perfect stands 
in beds in which the plants have rotted out nearly 100% by removing about 2 in. of the top soil and re¬ 
placing with fresh. We have frequently done this during mid-winter when all the soil could not be re¬ 
placed. And don’t forget that Stocks enjoy a well enriched soil with plenty water when in full growth. 
We space Non-Branching Stocks 7 in. between the rows and 23^ in. in the row. When the plants 
are about 6 in. high, we remove the weakest, usually 4 to 5, from a 4 ft. row. We have proven to our 
satisfaction that four of the weakest plants out of five will become singles. 
For market growers, especially, Non-Branching Stocks are most profitable. 
[3] 
