Probably almost every summer resident grows potatoes. Let not the whole field and not with the expectation of creating a strategic reserve for the whole winter. But at least a few bushes — just to during the summer vacation to treat yourself to a young potato kebabs and tomatoes with cucumbers.
Fourth secret. Germinate the tubers
Properly prepared in the autumn seed potatoes safely overwinter and in the spring will be suitable for growing a truly high-quality and abundant harvest. However, just leave it in the pits and sprinkle with earth is not enough, you need to competently conduct pre-training.
If you want to get an early harvest, the pre-germination of tubers will not only increase the return (according to reviews, 15-20%), but also will save time. Tubers with well-developed sprouts quickly form a Bush, which means that you will get fresh potatoes earlier.
The topic of germination is very controversial. There are different methods, and their adherents are ready to conduct fierce discussions, proving correctness of the technology. Potatoes are germinated in the light and in the dark, in a combined way, as well as in a moist substrate. Depending on the option selected, the timing of when the tubers should be taken out of storage differs. In General, you need to start germination 1-1.5 months before the expected date of planting.
I believe that germination is better in the dark — it most closely corresponds to the natural mechanism. I also grow my potatoes (both early and ordinary) in a moist mixture of sawdust and peat or earth. This allows you to get not only sprouts, but also roots. When planting a potato very quickly rises, and therefore, it is possible to harvest early.
But what I think is absolutely wrong, regardless of the method of preparation of seed tubers, is breaking off long etiolated (pale, grown without access to light) sprouts. They are formed when the storage conditions do not meet the requirements — too warm in the cellar. The first sprouts the strongest eye, breaking his sprout, you personally reduce your crop.
The fifth secret. We process potatoes from pests
Protecting seed tubers from fungal and viral diseases before laying on storage, you will protect them from diseases, but do not protect against pests. Almost all of them spend the winter in the soil and gladly pounce on young tender shoots and potato nodules.
To combat harmful insects planting potatoes sprayed with insecticides, so to speak, upon detection. For this purpose, a tool based on Imidacloprid is suitable. This substance is resistant to light, penetrates into the tissues of the plant, making them poisonous to pests, so it protects potatoes for a long time.
But you can pre-emptive strike on the enemy is to process the tubers in the spring. Then the seedlings will not be afraid of pests. Protection of tubers before planting is preferable to treatment on the leaves, because it does not harm bees, as well as more effective preventive protection at the earliest, most vulnerable stage of plant development.
The resulting solution is carefully sprayed on all sides of the seed potatoes. Treatment is carried out immediately before planting.
We must remember that the early planted potatoes may suffer in the beginning of her growth from the return of frost. Treating it with a compound agent, in addition to saving from pests, we get stimulation of germination and protection from stress. Comprehensive protection is important for any method of cultivation, but with early planting, the value of such prevention increases significantly.
The sixth secret. We use the seedling method of cultivation
To obtain a harvest of marketable (that is, fully ripe) potatoes at the beginning of summer, seedlings can be used. Seed tubers after treatment are placed in peat or other suitable substrate.
They can be put in a box or in separate containers — a liter package of milk or juice will be enough. When the weather allows (in mid — to late April), potato seedlings are planted in the ground. It is better to plant young bushes on the formed high ridges or crests — so the soil warms up better.
And if the weather is not yet adjusted and possible frost, planting is covered with non-woven material, protect with a layer of straw or Spud before freezing.
In addition to obtaining an early harvest, this method makes it possible to multiply the variety, if the seed material you have is not enough. Also, potatoes grown seedling method gives more shoots, as sometimes it germinate all the eyes. This significantly increases the yield (up to 40%) in comparison with the usual planting option.
The seventh secret. We plant potatoes for the winter
Another way to eat young potatoes in early summer — planting in the winter. You’ve paid attention to that forgotten when cleaning the tubers to sprout the next year?
This method of cultivation allows not only to get an early harvest. For the southern regions with hot and dry summers, it is an opportunity to grow it, using the spring moisture in the soil before the hot period. High air temperature has a detrimental effect on potatoes and contributes to its rapid degeneration.
Why you should grow early potatoes
Very often it is customary to plant potatoes simply — dug a hole, threw a tuber, maybe added a handful of ash and covered with earth. Then he Spud once or twice and forgot until the end of summer.
Is the potato worth such difficulties — the choice of planting material, its processing, storage, germination, protection from pests and, finally, the cultivation of seedlings? I think we should. And reasons bold enough many:
- And what is it worse, for example, tomatoes or peppers, for which the winter-spring “machinations” do not bother anyone?
- Early planting of potatoes avoids many diseases, such as late blight. And for the southern regions — degeneration of varieties and reduce yields from overheating.
- Planting in early spring will give you quite ripe fresh potatoes at the beginning of summer. No need to eat last year, even if it looks and well preserved. By the end of winter, potatoes, no matter how good the storage conditions, not only becomes sluggish and begins to germinate — in the tuber there are other changes. Old potatoes tasteless, and according to some experts, and not too useful.
- Saving space: in the cellar you will have to store a smaller stock, and in the garden released in mid-June, the area can be occupied by another culture. Or grow another crop of potatoes — early varieties with a maturity of 50-60 days will have time to ripen before the end of summer.
- Seedling method of cultivation plus all increases productivity.
Do you grow early potatoes? Share with us in the comments how you do it.
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