Planting Potatoes With Seeds

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

The most common way of growing potatoes is vegetative, when selected tubers are planted in open ground. This method is simple and popular among amateur gardeners, with good planting material, high yields are obtained, but nevertheless, vegetative growing of potatoes has its drawbacks

Planting potatoes with tubers from year to year, we harvest less and less. Under unfavorable climatic conditions, this crop degenerates, yields fall, over time, valuable characteristics of the variety are lost, and the percentage of rejects increases. As a result of such a harvest, it turns out that half of the tubers are unfit for human consumption. Gardeners with experience sometimes notice that after planting a bucket of potatoes, only half of it is harvested in the fall, and at the same time optimal conditions are created for the transmission of various diseases.

The advantages of the seedling method

You can improve planting material using botanical potato seeds. Of course, many gardeners are used to planting potatoes with tubers, but modern technologies are moving forward and now there are many varieties of potatoes on sale that are grown by seeds. Seed potatoes are a guaranteed and reliable method of obtaining a high-quality crop through seedlings. The procedure for self-cultivation of potato seedlings is painstaking work that requires some knowledge and patience. With proper care, you can get up to one kg of vegetables from one bush.

Advantages of the seedling method:

- the cost of seeds is much lower than that of planting tubers;

- potato seeds are stored for a very long time (up to 10 years);

- no special storage conditions for seeds are required;

- the yield obtained by the seedling method is 10 - 20% higher than the vegetative method of reproduction of potatoes;

- seed potatoes do not initially have any diseases

- plants obtained from seeds are much more resistant to diseases and not very sensitive to adverse reactions of the external environment.

Features and difficulties of the seedling method

When using the seedling method, you will feel like a real breeder, just keep in mind that the potatoes will not grow the same. Bushes can vary in color, tuber size, disease resistance and yield. As a result, it is possible to select the tubers you like, with the desired traits, for planting material for the next year.

Difficulties that you will have to face when growing potato seedlings:

- low seed germination;

- loose soil or sawdust is needed to form the root system of seedlings;

- young potato sprouts react to environmental influences, stretch out with a lack of light;

- seedlings need constant use of biological products, as they are susceptible to the influence of the "black leg";

- seedlings should be transplanted with great care, as they are quite fragile.

Technology for growing potatoes from seeds

In the Russian climate, potato seeds should be grown in seedlings in a greenhouse or at home. The seeds of the potato variety you like can be purchased at the store or prepared with your own hands. When berries form on the potatoes in the summer, they are collected in gauze bags and hung in a bright and warm room for ripening. If the berries brighten and become soft, then they are ready. They need to be crushed in a cup, the resulting seeds should be washed with water, dried and packed.

Start growing potato seedlings from mid-April.

Seeds are sown in prepared seedling containers with moist soil mixture. You can sow seeds dry or germinate by soaking them in water. Seeds are planted at a depth of approximately 1 cm at a distance of 5 - 10 cm. Place the box with seeds in a warm place, covered with glass.

When a young potato has two real leaves, the seedlings dive with great care, so as not to damage the roots, into small cups. In open ground, potato seedlings are transplanted at 40 days of age, when the threat of temperature drops has passed. Protect young potato plants by creating a greenhouse effect for them by installing arcs and cover and film. All this will protect the seedlings from possible frosts, the Colorado potato beetle, and retain moisture. The seedlings are kept covered until they take root and a truly warm summer weather sets in. It is recommended to mulch the plant with peat chips to avoid drying out of the roots.

Mulch the soil around the plants with dry peat crumbs to avoid drying out the roots.

In July, the potato seedlings will turn into strong and healthy bushes. The first year may not be a big crop, but don't be discouraged. Collect tubers that are suitable for planting next year. But the harvest from healthy potato planting material in the second year will give from 1 to 4 kg per bush.