Potato sprouting before planting: how to make it grow faster
Growing crops on a personal plot has a large number of nuances that are not recommended to be forgotten. Sprouting potatoes is a necessary measure, with the help of which it will be possible to increase the yield several times. There are a large number of methods for sprouting potato tubers. Each of them has its pros and cons.
Why do you need to germinate potatoes?
When potatoes are planted, at that moment they are already growing, regardless of whether the root crop is in the soil. Potato seedlings grow faster after sprouting .
The following risks can also be prevented during sprouting:
- The presence of rotten, moldy or rodent-eaten root crops in seed potatoes. Before the process, the tubers are inspected in advance and discarded unsuitable for planting.
- Planting into the soil of small tubers, the mass of which does not exceed 30 g.
- Use irregularly shaped roots. These tubers rarely produce normal yields and are therefore not recommended for sprouting.
Unprepared for the summer season, tubers sprout within 10-15 days, and sprouts appear after another 12-20 days. The whole process takes over a month. To reduce it, it is necessary to germinate potatoes.
Basic sprouting rules
Planting unprepared potatoes is possible, even if the soil has not warmed up to +10 degrees. In this case, experienced summer residents are advised to cover the plantings with non-woven material for the night. Potato root crops begin to actively germinate at a soil temperature of +7 degrees. As many gardeners note, sprouts begin to appear if the temperature reaches +12 on about 23 days after planting.
If there are few potatoes, then before planting, you need to remove all weak and frail sprouts and leave 2-3 strong ones. If the tubers are large in size, then they are cut into several parts so that each has a sprout.
Sprouts should not be too long. Even if the sprouts are he althy, but too long, they are very fragile and can break during planting. The sprouts should be short and thick. Then they will calmly endure the transportation and break it during disembarkation.
When the tips of the sprouts begin to darken, this signals that the room in which the seeds are germinated is considered too cold.
Cut pieces are planted in the soil, each of which should have eyes. Oddly enough, but on small pieces a stronger root system is formed and more root crops are formed. Do not leave more than two eyes. Stems from such root crops will grow more actively and there will be more of them, but they have little nutrients and sun, so the yield of such bushes is low.
The day before planting, each part is covered with wood ash and left to dry.
Procurement of seed tubers
Harvesting of seed tubers for cultivation on the potato plot is a crucial moment on which the entire crop depends. At this stage, the foundation of productivity is laid. Root crops begin to prepare for the season in the fall after harvesting from the site.The largest and he althiest are selected and placed separately from other root crops. In the spring, preparation continues and includes the selection of moldy, gnawed or blackened tubers. Then comes the germination of sprouts and the planting itself.
Which tubers to choose?
Potato tubers for planting should only be he althy. Potatoes with mold, black spots and any other lesions are not recommended for planting. Also, do not choose too large root crops. It is advisable to give preference to medium-sized potatoes with a dense skin and small eyes.
Selected potatoes are placed in a solution of boric acid for disinfection and stored separately from the entire crop. It is useful to put the fruits in manure for several days.
Don't choose too small fruits. Few stems grow from them, and they practically do not give a crop.The disadvantage of large root crops is the fact that the aerial part (leaves and stems) develops more actively than the underground (tubers and root system). As a result, it turns out that the rhizome cannot provide enough nutrients to the stems, and from this they begin to turn yellow and wither.
Small, medium and large potatoes are recommended to be planted separately from each other and mark where it grows. This is due to the fact that care for them will be different. An effective method of growing a rich crop is to buy seed in the fall. But in this case, before acquiring tubers, they are carefully examined. Elite varieties of potatoes give a good harvest for about three years. Such varieties are practically not susceptible to the development of diseases. The purchase of a variety should be based on your own observation of potatoes during the growing season. And it is recommended to purchase only those varieties that grow best on the site.
Green
An easy and popular way to germinate potatoes is pre-greening. The advantage of this method is also the fact that green tubers do not attract rodents due to their high content of corned beef (a poisonous substance that can cause poisoning). Such tubers should not be eaten, but they are great for planting in the ground. This method will add another 20% to the entire crop.
Potato tubers are the underground part of the stem, which, due to the fact that it is not exposed to sunlight, could not produce corned beef. When a potato is in the sun, chlorophyll begins to be actively produced, and the peel with pulp becomes green.
In addition to corned beef, nicotine and other alkaloids dangerous to human life accumulate in green potatoes. But for cultivation, it is ideal.In order for the tubers to acquire green shades in the sun, they must be kept for 8-12 days. But to get the richest harvest, greening is combined with the germination of sprouts. There are a large number of methods for germinating root crops. Each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages.
When to get potatoes for germination and how long to germinate?
One of the important points in the cultivation of crops is the determination of the timing of germination. You need to know exactly when to get the potatoes so that they are ready for the planting season. It mainly depends on the timing of the emergence of sprouts and the ripening of the crop.
30-35 days before planting in the ground, seed potato tubers are taken out of the basement and begin to germinate. Early potatoes are taken out in early March. For the main landings, the beginning of April is considered the optimal time.
Some gardeners are of the opinion that you need to get the seeds 1.5-2 months before planting. After the sprouts have reached a length of 4-6 cm, they are carefully cut off at the very base and planted in a box or greenhouse with good soil.
How to prepare potatoes for sprouting?
Preparing potato seed for planting is not difficult if you follow some rules. For example, you can prepare an infusion of tansy, which accelerates the appearance of sprouts. 60 g of dry herb tansy pour 500 ml of boiling water. The infusion is left to cool completely, then poured into a solution for soaking potatoes. Up to a centner of seed is passed through one bucket of such a solution.
Moisture and heat stimulate the appearance of eyes.
So that the sprouts do not stretch too much, after 14 days they are placed in a cool place at a temperature of 8-10 degrees. The main thing is to make sure that the boxes are under open sunlight.
Sprouting methods
Sprouting potatoes quickly can be done using a variety of methods. There are many ways to germinate potato eyes.
Growing in the light
Contrary to popular belief, it takes a little light to sprout. But he should be. Subject to all factors, but in the absence of light, nothing will work. If it is not possible to use natural sunlight, artificial lighting in the form of lamps is suitable.
The potatoes are spread in a thin layer in wooden or plastic boxes. They can be stacked on top of each other. The walls of the boxes should not be solid, but with large holes. The top drawer is covered with gauze or any other thin material.
The optimum room temperature is 12-17 degrees.The light should not be direct, but diffused. Understand that root crops will succeed in enough light in appearance. Under normal light conditions, the sprouts are thick and small. If there is a lack of light, they stretch and become thin.
In the dark
When it is not possible to germinate planting material indoors in the light, it will germinate in the dark. This method is less efficient, since sunlight is required for the normal development of seedlings. But by strictly observing the necessary conditions, it will be possible to get seedlings even in the dark.
Especially carefully you need to monitor the temperature regime, otherwise the sprouts will begin to stretch. If this has already happened, then the temperature at night is lowered to 4-6 degrees. If necessary, this is done during the day. At this temperature, the stems will not stop. Growing in the dark is 15-29 days at 95% humidity.
Food in boxes
Steps of sprouting potatoes with top dressing in a box:
- A cellophane bag is lined at the bottom of the box. Spread potatoes in 2 layers and cover it with humus, peat or sawdust. You need several layers.
- Wash potatoes with water. After a few weeks, sprouts should appear. They are watered with a mineral mixture for growth. Or wood ash diluted in a glass of water.
- After a few days, water again with nutrient mixture.
- A week later, the roots are planted in open ground.
Potato germination and formation after planting tubers after this method grows many times.
In polyethylene film
You can germinate tubers at home using plastic bags.Several holes are made in the bag for air circulation. Then they put potatoes in them and hang them in the sun. Regularly turn the bags over and mix the planting material in them. The main thing is that the sun's rays are not intense.
In wet substrate
Sprouting potatoes in sawdust with the addition of peat is as follows:
- Sawdust is poured into the bottom of the box.
- Spread the seed potatoes in 1 layer.
- Fill it with sawdust with the addition of peat and water it.
- The layer of sawdust and peat must be at least 3 cm.
- The boxes are regularly watered and the air temperature is monitored, it should be between 15-17 degrees.
Use germination in a moist substrate in case roots need to be grown.
Combining sprouting with root sprouting
The combined method is considered one of the most effective. 40-45 days before the proposed planting of potatoes, it is sorted out, spoiled tubers are thrown out. Then put in boxes, leave in the room.
After 25-30 root crops are pulled out of the boxes, peat crumbs are poured on the bottom with a layer of 5 cm and then the potatoes are laid out again in 1-2 layers. Another layer of peat is poured on top, about 5 cm. As the moisture evaporates, the peat is sprinkled with water.
Outdoor
Growing in the open air begins when the snow melts and the air temperature warms up to +12 degrees. The soil is covered with straw or sawdust, then potatoes are laid out. Cover it with plastic wrap. The whole process takes from 7 days to a month.If you put manure under the straw, then the germination period will be reduced.
In pots
Pre-tubers are placed in boxes with wet sawdust for 7 days. Then they are transplanted into clay pots with a special soil mixture. At night, the pots are taken out to the balcony so that the seeds get used to temperature changes.
Heating and drying method
If you didn’t manage to germinate the potatoes on time, and the planting dates are running out, the method of warming up and wilting is effective. Potatoes are laid out in 1 layer and left at a temperature of + 25-30 degrees. The germination rate of the eyes is from 7 to 14 days.
Potato seedlings
Potato seedlings begin to grow a few weeks before planting in the ground.Pre-prepared root crops are planted in pots or boxes with soil. Then put them in a greenhouse or in a greenhouse. Seedlings should be planted after the soil and air have completely warmed up. The seedling method will allow you to dig up early young potatoes.
What to process before planting?
Protection of potatoes before planting reduces the risk of disease and insects during the growth and formation of potato tubers.
Chemicals
On the surface of the peel can be a large number of fungi and bacteria. Potato processing times depend on the preparations:
- Planriz is used for spraying 1 week before planting seeds in the ground.
- Albit just a day before planting.
- Fitosporin is treated just before planting.
Among drugs that have proven themselves well:
- Commander (used to protect plantings from insects such as the Colorado potato beetle. The chemical is toxic, so use it with extreme caution).
- Cruiser is another chemical that can help prevent insects and potato rot. Used as a spray.
- Substance Maxim is aimed at preventing the development of many diseases of agricultural crops (scab, phimosis, rhizoctoniosis). They are sprayed with sowing root crops before planting in the ground.
The solution for processing can be prepared independently on the basis of potassium permanganate. 1 g of potassium permanganate is diluted in 1 liter of water and germinated tubers are poured into it for 20-30 minutes. After that, the wet seeds are covered with wood ash.
Disinfection with copper sulphate helps prevent the appearance of fungal diseases in plantings. To prepare the solution, you will need 10 liters of water, 1 matchbox of vitriol and 2 g of potassium permanganate. All ingredients are mixed in a non-metallic bowl and the planting material is soaked for 1-3 minutes. Dry it before planting.
Folk remedies
Folk remedies compared to chemicals are the least effective, but they are safer for humans. Under their influence, there is no accumulation of substances hazardous to human he alth. And when using folk recipes, no additional protection is required.
Potatoes are treated with wood ash diluted in water. To do this, you need to take 1 kg of ash and dilute it in 10 warm water. Before planting, the seed is dipped into the solution. And at the bottom of the holes fall asleep ashes. Only after that they start planting.
Do I need to wash potatoes before planting?
It is not necessary to wash potatoes before planting from the ground with water. It is better to treat the planting material with special solutions for disinfection and growth stimulants. You can buy spraying agents from speci alty gardening stores or make your own.
How to plant sprouted potatoes?
Sprouted potatoes are planted in the same way as unprepared ones. The main thing is to ensure that the sprouts are not damaged during transportation and planting of tubers in the ground. The holes are dug to a depth of 20 cm. The distance between the holes must be at least 25 cm.
Advice from summer residents
To improve the harvest, you need to follow some tips from experienced gardeners:
- Root crops are soaked in a mineral solution for several hours. The procedure is carried out a few hours before boarding.
- One day before planting, planting material is treated with growth stimulants. They allow you to increase yields and accelerate the germination of sprouts.
- Tubers must be cut into several parts so that each of them has eyes. In this case, growth hormone is produced and the formation of roots is more active.
- To keep moisture in the soil, plantings are covered with mulch.
- It is not recommended to plant small potatoes for harvest. There are few eyes in small potatoes, and, accordingly, there will be fewer seedlings.
- Only he althy planting material is used for cultivation. Spoiled and moldy root crops should be thrown away immediately.
- After any treatment with liquid substances, the potato must be dried, otherwise it will begin to rot.
Don't assume that you can grow a good harvest without prior preparation. Pre-sprouting and dressing tubers will help increase yields.
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