Stock is a gorgeous, romantic flower available year-round in white, lavender, yellow, pink, peach, and shades of purple. Not only does it add mass and texture to designs, the sweet, slightly spicy fragrance is a key selling point with consumers. Stock requires a little more maintenance than other crops but can be kept fresh if the right care and handling steps are followed.
Problems & Solutions
Problem:
Ethylene Sensitivity
Solution:
Highly sensitive to ethylene, symptoms include accelerated senescence, water-soaked appearance of petals, petal shattering, and downward curling of the leaves. To minimize risk due to ethylene exposure, Stock can benefit from an ethylene action-inhibitor product such as EthylBloc™ during storage and transportation or from an STS treatment at farm level such as FloraLife® EthylGuard*.
Problem:
Disease Sensitivity
Solution:
Susceptible to botrytis. Recommended to treat with anti-botrytis agent before transport and storage. Do not over pack boxes to allow good airflow and avoid temperature fluctuations during shipping to prevent any condensation inside packaging.
Problem:
Leaf Yellowing
Solution:
Leaf yellowing can occur due to improper growing conditions or improper handling during storage and transport. Hydrate in FloraLife® Bulb 100* to reduce leaf yellowing. Anti-ethylene treatments have also been shown to reduce leaf yellowing.
Problem:
Odor in Water
Solution:
Because they are field grown and commonly harvested with a portion of the root system intact, stock tends to foul the water rapidly and bacteria can impede water uptake. Use a proper storage and transport solution when transporting or displaying wet. Being in the Brassica family, stems and roots have a strong horseradish-like odor that may be considered unpleasant to some. Change the bucket solution periodically to reduce odor.
Need to Know: Stock Helpful Hints
Properly Dosing and Mixing Flower Food: The Benefits
- Helps blooms fully develop and stalk to open to the top
- Helps Stock stay hydrated and avoid wilting
- Longer vase life
- Better color development
Keep them Fresh!
- It is recommended to pre-treat with ethylene action-inhibitor products such as EthylBloc™ during storage and transportation or FloraLife® EthylGuard* and hydrate with FloraLife® Express Clear 100 at farm level. Stock is susceptible to leaf yellowing and may benefit from hydration in FloraLife® Bulb 100*.
- Recommended flower food solution for storage/transport: FloraLife® Express Clear ULTRA 200.
- Recommended flower food solution for end consumers: FloraLife® Express Universal 300, FloraLife® Universal 300*or FloraLife Crystal Clear® packets. FloraLife® Bulb 300* can also be used to control leaf yellowing.
- Cooler / Storage temperature should be 34-38°F, 1-3°C. Published data indicates that stock show a 7-fold increase in respiration rate between 32-50°F, 0-10°C so the lower the storage temperature the better with respect to longer vase life, especially for consumers.
- Stock can ship dry or wet without issue. Store upright, if possible. The upper part of the flower spikes are negatively gravitropic and will bend upwards if stored on their side. Line your boxes with FloraLife® Transport Paper sheets prior to shipping from farms.
Performance
- Average vase life for Stock is 5-10 days.
- Opening speed is slow and steady, flowers begin blooming at the bottom of the spike working their way up to the top. Opening speed will increase with warmer ambient temperature.
- Stock can be mixed with other flowers without any negative effects.
- When processing, avoid spikes with yellow leaves, discolored or infected florets. Be sure all leaves that would be below the flower food solution level are removed. Do not over pack boxes or buckets to allow good airflow. This flower must have air around it. If Stock is massed too tightly, individual florets will deteriorate. Stock is susceptible to mildew. If you aren't using FloraLife® Express technology, you'll want to re-cut stems. Stock is a thirsty crop, check solution levels daily. If water levels become low, you should repeat your processing steps replenishing with a freshly made flower food solution. Water tends to foul quickly, maintaining proper sanitation with bucket and vase solution will maximize vase life.
- Performs well in foam if hydrated enough. If designing in foam use OASIS® Deluxe Floral Foam Maxlife for best hydration and hydrate stems overnight prior to designing. Stock can be used as a vertical line flower in arrangements to achieve height. Cut stems at an angle before inserting into foam and check foam saturation daily to keep stems hydrated.
- Use FloraLife® Finishing Touch spray once designs are complete to keep blooms fresh and hydrated.
FIFO
- Our recommendation for inventory rotation is to follow the FIFO (First in First Out) guidelines. Adhering to cold chain protocols, for best end consumer vase life experience, Stock should have a maximum of 5 days storage life. If storing wet pack, check water levels occasionally to be sure stems stay hydrated.
Have questions or need more information? Visit FloraLife.com or contact your local representation for an in-person consultation!
*Product availability depends upon geographical region. Check here for more information.