Rules for growing potatoes in bags
The traditional method of cultivating potatoes requires a lot of space, so farmers who have small plots often resort to the not entirely traditional, but very effective method of planting potatoes in bags. This method saves not only space, but also the time and effort of the gardener, since it does not require digging up the beds and many other agrotechnical procedures.
Read more about the essence of this method, plant care and harvesting in this article.
Features of the method of growing potatoes in bags
Most often, this method of planting potatoes is used when the soil on the site is infertile. or its area is very limited.
Description and essence of the technique
The essence of the method is to plant tubers in bags filled with nutrient substrate - it is in them that the bushes will grow in the future and tubers will form.
To get a good harvest, using this method of planting potatoes, three key conditions are observed:
- plant tubers in a loose nutrient substrate;
- provide plants with abundant watering;
- maintain lighting conditions, using artificial lighting if necessary.
It is important to choose the right location for the bags – it should be well lit, accessible for maintenance and located away from the water drainage area.
Are all varieties suitable for this method?
Varieties with early, medium or mid-early ripening are best suited for planting in bags. and resistance to crop-specific diseases.
Most popular varieties:
- Bellarosa is an ultra-early variety bred by German breeders that produces large and even pink tubers.
- Santa – mid-early ripening potatoes of Dutch selection. The tubers are yellow and ripen after 2.5-3 months of planting.
- Slav – a mid-early variety, the result of the work of Ukrainian breeders. The harvest is ready for harvest 3-3.5 months after planting.
- Povin is an early-ripening variety of Ukrainian selection; the tubers weigh approximately 200 g and ripen in mid-June - early August.
- Svitanok Kyiv – a mid-early ripening variety, bred by Kyiv breeders, characterized by high yields regardless of climatic conditions.
Some of these varieties can be harvested as early as the end of May.
Advantages and disadvantages
The main advantages of this method:
saving space;- independence from the soil composition on the site;
- protection of plants from diseases and pests provided that disinfected materials are used;
- minimizing labor costs;
- the possibility of further use of the substrate as a fertilizer for other crops.
Minuses:
- the need to purchase soil, bags and fertilizers;
- rapid depletion and drying of the soil;
- impossibility of reusing bags;
- lower yield compared to the traditional method.
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Necessary materials
To grow potatoes in bags you will need:
- Tara. Durable and spacious bags, to which experienced gardeners independently sew a valve at the bottom for harvesting.You can use bags made specifically for growing crops in this way, or polypropylene products that are resistant to moisture and have high moisture and breathability. Farmers often use sugar, flour or cereal bags, or even garbage bags.
- Substrate. The soil mixture must be nutritious, disinfected and have good aeration and water permeability.
- Planting material. The right variety and tubers of suitable size and quality are the key to a good harvest.
Conditions required for growing in bags
Cultivating potatoes in bags will bring a positive result only when the necessary conditions are created for the culture:
- the bags are installed firmly so that they do not sag or tilt to one side; if necessary, they are dug in or a support is used;
- the place should be well lit and have convenient approaches for caring for plantings and harvesting;
- provide a system for draining excess water after watering, otherwise it will accumulate around the bags, which can lead to rotting of the tubers.
Growing technology in bags
After purchasing equipment and choosing a suitable location, the substrate and planting material are prepared and the tubers themselves are planted.
Selection and preparation of containers
Drainage holes are made in the bags; if there are none initially, moisture should not be allowed to stagnate.. After this, a drainage layer about 15 cm thick is poured onto the bottom - crushed stone, expanded clay or broken brick will do.
Preparing tubers for planting
Tubers for planting must be dense, without damage, unpleasant odor or rot.. The suitable weight of tubers is 30-100 g; it is better to choose medium-sized specimens.
3-4 weeks before planting, the seed material is placed in well-lit by the sun, warm room at a temperature of +15...+20°C for germination. Sprouts appear after about 20 days. Unsprouted specimens and tubers with few sprouts or too weak are discarded.
Reference. To improve germination, the room temperature is reduced to +8°C several times a day.
Immediately before planting in bags tubers must be pickled using one of the solutions:
- copper sulfate (5 g per 3 liters of water);
- potassium permanganate (5 g per 5 liters of water);
- dissolve a mixture of copper sulfate, manganese and boric acid (5 g of each product per 10 liters of water);
- ash solution (500 g of ash per 5 liters of water).
The tubers are placed in the solution for 2-3 minutes, and then dried. To prevent diseases, tubers are treated with Fitosporin.
Soil preparation
The substrate must be light, nutritious, and have good moisture permeability, aeration and slightly acidic reaction (5.5-6.5 pH).
Important! Self-prepared substrate must be calcined or steamed for disinfection before use.
The land from the site is not suitable for this method of growing potatoes, so gardeners or buy a special substrate or prepare it yourself using one of the options:
- a mixture of equal parts of humus and garden soil, with the exception of that where potatoes or other nightshades used to grow;
- a mixture of a bucket of soil from the garden, a bucket of humus, 2 liters of sand, 1-2 liters of ash and nitrogen-containing fertilizers or rotted manure.
When to plant
Tubers are planted in late May or early June depending on climatic conditions. The optimal air temperature is +15…+18°C, and the minimum permissible is +12°C.
Earlier planting of tubers is also acceptable. - at the end of March or in April, but keep the bags indoors until an acceptable temperature is established outside.
Landing technology
Step by step instructions for planting potatoes in bags:
- Tuck the top of the bag about halfway - this makes it easier to plant.
- First pour drainage into the bottom, and then add soil mixture (layer thickness about 30 cm).
- Place 2-3 tubers in the ground with their eyes facing up.
- Cover them with a layer of soil (about 20 cm thick) and water moderately.
When the shoots appear, after 1-2 weeks, they are covered with soil mixture and do this until the height of the bag reaches 50-60 cm.
Further care
Caring for the crop using this method is simple – it is enough to water and feed the plants correctly. By following all the recommendations, you can increase the yield by 2-3 times.
Top dressing
Fertilizers are applied three times per season:
- when the tops reach a height of 20 cm;
- during the budding period;
- during flowering.
Used to feed potatoes bird droppings or mullein diluted in water (proportions 1:10) and potash fertilizers.
Reference. Nitrogen fertilizers are not used because they stimulate the development of green mass, which negatively affects the ripening of tubers.
Fertilizers are applied at the root so that the solution does not get on the stem and leaves.
Watering mode
On average, plants are watered once every 7-10 days. at the rate of 2.5-3 liters of water for each bush. Watering is stopped 15-20 days before harvesting.
Protection from diseases and pests
The risk of developing diseases with this method of cultivating potatoes is minimal.. However, you will need to regularly inspect the bushes and, at the first signs of any diseases, treat the plants with fungicidal preparations, for example, Alirin-B or Fitosporin-M.
For potatoes grown in bags, Ants are the most dangerous pest. To prevent their appearance, mustard, pepper or “anteater” type poison are scattered around the bags.
What difficulties can you encounter when growing in bags?
Problems that may arise:
- development late blight – the rules of crop rotation were probably violated;
- other fungal diseases leading to rotting of tubers - incorrect watering regime: too much water or no drainage holes.
When and how to harvest
On average, the ripening period of root crops is 2-3.5 months. The harvest is harvested from late July to early September, the exact timing depends on the selected variety.
Reference. If tubers are planted in bags indoors and then taken outside, the harvest is harvested in June.
To harvest, make a side cut in the bag and take out the tubers or do this through special pockets, if provided.
Tips and tricks from experienced gardeners
Experienced farmers recommend:
To retain moisture and loosen the soil mixture, mulch it with peat or ash.- If the bag is made of dense material, make small cuts at the bottom and sides - this will ensure the evaporation of excess moisture and prevent the tubers from rotting.
- Do not use the same substrate for replanting potatoes, as the soil will be deprived of its beneficial properties. The soil can be used as a mulch layer on other beds.
Conclusion
With the correct implementation of technology and proper care, you can count on a rich harvest even in a small area. The main thing is to choose suitable bags and take into account all the nuances regarding the time of planting tubers, watering and fertilizing.