Matthiola incana Katz Lavender Light | Stock

Matthiola incana ‘Katz Lavender Light’ | Stock | Elegant, Scented Lavender Blooms for Cut Flowers

Matthiola incana ‘Katz Lavender Light’ is a premium, early-flowering stock variety bred for professional cut flower production. It produces dense, double-flowered spikes in a soft, cool lavender-lilac shade that radiates elegance and tranquility. The flowers have a rich, spicy-clove fragrance, making them a beloved choice for spring bouquets and high-end floral design.

The Katz series is known for its uniformity, strong stems, and consistent flowering under long-day and high-light conditions, making it ideal for greenhouse or field cultivation. ‘Lavender Light’ performs particularly well in spring and early summer harvests, offering excellent quality and stem length with a high percentage of double blooms.

Plant Details

• Botanical name: Matthiola incana ‘Katz Lavender Light’
• Common name: Stock
• Series: Katz
• Plant type: Hardy annual
• Height: 60–80 cm
• Stem length: 50–70 cm
• Position: Full sun
• Days to maturity: 90–110 days
• Plant spacing: 15–20 cm
• Fragrance: Strong, spicy-clove scent
• Bloom type: Mostly double-flowered
• Life cycle: Annual

Key Features

• Lavender-colored double blooms with a rich fragrance
• Sturdy, upright stems perfect for cut flower production
• Thrives in cool weather, ideal for early spring and autumn
• Long vase life, great for bouquets and floral arrangements
• Early blooming and uniform growth
• Attracts pollinators and beneficial insects
• Cold hardy up to -6°C, making it suitable for cooler climates

Sowing & Growing Instructions

• Days to bloom: 90-100 days
• Height: 80 cm
• Indoor/Greenhouse Sowing: Start from February. For continuous blooms, sow every two weeks.
• Germination Time: 5-7 days at 18–24°C.
• Seed Spacing: Sow 2 seeds per cell, thinning later to ensure strong growth.
• Sowing Depth: 2 mm, lightly cover with vermiculite to retain moisture.
• Light Requirement: Seeds need light to germinate, do not exclude it.

Seedling Care & Fertilization

• Watering: Maintain moisture but avoid overwatering to prevent root rot.
• After 10 days: Fertilize with a 0.1% potassium nitrate solution.
• Follow-up fertilization: Use calcium nitrate and a balanced water-soluble fertilizer to support strong stems and healthy blooms.

Transplanting & Maintenance

• Planting Site: Sunny, well-drained soil.
• Outdoor Planting: Once seedlings develop 4–5 true leaves, they can be transplanted into beds or a greenhouse.
• Plant Spacing: 30 cm apart to allow proper airflow.
• Cutting Flowers: Regular harvesting of blooms encourages continuous flowering.
• Pest Control: Stock may be prone to aphids; treat with appropriate control methods if necessary.

Why Grow ‘Katz Lavender Light’?

• Refined lavender color with soft, romantic tones
• Highly fragrant, adding a classic scent to arrangements
• Strong, uniform stems suitable for professional florists
• High percentage of double blooms under cool growing conditions
• Performs well in spring and early summer under long-day light
• Ideal for greenhouse or field production