Rules for watering potatoes during flowering

One of the reasons for the formation of small diseased potato tubers is excess or lack of moisture during the growth period. Proper irrigation regime, in particular during flowering, is one of the factors for a stable harvest.

In the article we will talk about the rules for watering potatoes during flowering, about various methods and irrigation systems, and also provide useful tips from experienced gardeners.

Watering mode

Do potatoes need to be watered? Yes, but there are certain rules for watering.

Potatoes are planted in May, when the soil is still sufficiently moist. Immediately after planting, the tubers form roots and the first shoots appear. Plantings begin to be watered when the stems grow to 5-10 cm.

Need to know. Early watering is harmful to potatoes, as it leads to the formation of a shallow root system.

The first time the crops are watered is about a month after planting.. Water is poured into the middle. Water consumption is 3-4 liters per plant. Watering is carried out fractionally, waiting for each portion to be absorbed. The formation of puddles must not be allowed.

To moisten the soil, use settled water heated in the sun.. Before buds form, potato plantings are watered approximately once every two weeks. If it is hot, the interval is shortened.

Advice. A simple method will help you determine whether it’s time to water. If the soil next to the bush is dry at a depth of 10 cm or lower, then it’s time.

When organizing the soil moisture regime, the following rules are followed::

• use warm, settled water - potato roots are small and tender, using cold water can cause rot;
• water in the morning or evening to avoid sunburn on the leaves;
• the frequency of watering depends on the structure of the soil - light soil is moistened more often, but in smaller doses, heavy soil - less often, but abundantly;
• the next day, the soil is loosened to saturate it with oxygen - this is done carefully, trying not to damage the roots and tubers;
• observe the norm of 3-4 liters per bush - excess moisture is just as harmful to potatoes as too little.

Watering potatoes during flowering

During the period of budding and the beginning of flowering, tubers begin to form in plants. The green part of the bush has already been formed and the evaporating surface of the leaves is large, which means that the need for moisture increases.

If the end of spring and beginning of summer were rainy, then there is nothing to worry about. If not, then you cannot do without additional moisture of the soil.

Attention. Lack of moisture during the flowering period will cause the plant to use resources to grow greenery. As a result, the tubers will grow small and unsightly.

At this time, potatoes are watered once every 7-10 days.. Water also fractionally, waiting until the moisture is completely absorbed.

At the end of flowering, the need for moisture decreases, but tubers still need water to gain mass, because they themselves are 75% water.

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Signs of lack and excess of moisture

For potato plantings, not only a lack of moisture in the soil, but also its excess is detrimental.. The frequency of watering is determined based on weather conditions and actual soil moisture at a depth of 10 cm.

Important. Drooping, lightened leaves, withering tops, unopened buds, and drying stems are signs of a lack of moisture.

With a lack of moisture, potato tubers stop gaining weight and seem to freeze. In this case, with further precipitation or watering, the potatoes grow, acquiring an irregular shape.

It also happens the other way around - there is too much moisture in the soil. It also harms plants. Dark, watery, drooping leaves indicate an excess of water in the ground., the appearance of weeping spots and plaque in the lower part of the stems, the development of fungal diseases, rotting of roots and tubers.

To promptly identify signs of a lack or excess of moisture, plantings are periodically inspected.

During periods of prolonged rain, it is good to make drainage channels between the rows or furrows to drain excess water.

Watering methods

So, if the end of spring and the beginning of summer turned out to be dry, then it is necessary to water the potato plantings. But what's the best way to do this? Let's look at the main methods, their advantages and disadvantages.

Under the root

This is one of the manual watering methods. Water is poured into the middle of the bush in small portions, waiting for complete absorption.

Advantages:

• availability;
• the ability to control the flow of moisture to each bush;
• leaves and stems do not get wet;
• the ground remains loose.

Flaws: high labor costs, impossibility of application over large areas.

If there is a well with a pump or centralized water supply can be watered using a hose.

Advantages: There is no need to carry water containers.

Flaws: watering with cold water can provoke rotting processes; it is easy to break fragile stems with a hose.

Along the furrows

This the method is convenient if the landing site has a slight slope. The hose is placed in the furrow between the rows and the water flows by gravity to the end of the area. If there is no slope, the hose is periodically moved along the row.

Advantages: no need to stand with a hose while watering.

Flaws: the use of a large amount of water, the formation of a crust when drying and, as a result, the need to loosen.

Irrigation

This a mechanical irrigation method that allows water to be evenly distributed over the surface of the beds.

Such an irrigation system can be stationary with the organization of a branched pipeline and the installation of sprayers throughout the garden, as well as portable - with hoses, tees and sprinklers.

Helpful advice. If you have an irregularly shaped area, then use sector sprinkler nozzles and sprinklers with barrel rotation along a given sector. This saves water.

Advantages:

• uniform distribution of moisture over the entire area of ​​the site;
• preservation of soil structure;
• improvement of the microclimate.

Flaws:

• water entering the tops and stems of potatoes, which creates favorable conditions for the development of fungi;
• washing off fungicides and insecticides that can be used to treat plantings.

Drip system

Drip irrigation of potatoes is another a mechanical method of watering that ensures optimal moisture supply to the roots at all stages of growth.

Interesting fact. For the first time, a drip irrigation system was used in Israel. In the first year, yields almost doubled.

pros:

• economical spending;
• supplying moisture directly to the roots without loss due to evaporation;
• preservation of soil structure;
• the ability to maintain the exact dosage of mineral fertilizers supplied to each bush.

Flaws: high cost of the system. But the costs pay off quickly enough.

Dry watering

The so-called dry watering is loosening the soil and hilling up the potato plantings. After all, these procedures help retain moisture in the soil longer and help saturate it with oxygen.

They begin to loosen after the emergence of shoots. The procedure is repeated the next day after watering or rain.

As soon as the potato sprouts rise 10-15 cm above the ground, the plants are earthed up. In this case, the sprouts are almost completely covered with soil. Hilling is repeated 2-3 more times until buds appear.

Advice. If the climate in your region is humid and it rains often in the summer, then replace watering the potatoes with loosening. This will retain moisture in the soil and improve air flow to the roots.

After the buds appear, loosening is carried out carefully and superficiallyso as not to damage the formed tubers.

Manual watering

Manual watering applicable if potato plantings take up little space. A watering can or bucket is used for it.

Advantages:

• the ability to use collected rainwater for irrigation;
• point impact;
• the ability to control the amount of water poured under each bush.

Flaws: labor intensive and impossible to use for large planting areas.

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What to follow when watering

How to properly water the bushes to obtain a rich harvest of healthy tubers? Be guided by three main factors:

1. Climate – air temperature and humidity, amount and frequency of rain. The less precipitation falls and the drier the air, the more often they water and vice versa.
2. Soil - the composition and structure of the soil, its ability to retain moisture. Sandy soil is known to dry out faster than dense clay soils.
3. Features of the variety - different varieties of potatoes have different needs for moisture.

A favorable combination of these factors makes it possible not to water the plantings at all.. It is enough just to loosen and hill up the plantings. But if the soil is sandy and the weather is hot and dry, then you cannot do without watering.

The best time for watering is evening hours. Watering in the morning is also acceptable, but the moisture on the leaves may not have time to dry before the heat arrives, and burns will appear on the tops.

The appearance of buds indicates that the plants have begun to form tubers. During this period, the need for moisture increases; accordingly, the frequency of watering is increased to 1-2 times a week. For better absorption, pour water in portions.

After flowering, the tubers gain weight. At this stage, it is important to regularly moisten the soil and not allow it to dry out. Untimely and insufficient watering will lead to deformation of the potatoes.

With the appearance of the first signs of wilting of the tops, watering is reduced to once every 2-3 weeks.. Drying of the stems signals that the crop is ripe and there is no longer a need to water.

Important nuances

Knowing the following important nuances will help you get a stable harvest smooth, healthy tubers every season:

1. Uniform soil moisture. Potatoes do not like sudden changes in soil moisture. If you dry out the soil and then water it abundantly, the growth of the potatoes will resume unevenly and they will become deformed.
2. Mulching potato plantings.Covering the soil with a layer of mulch allows you to retain moisture in the soil longer and, therefore, reduce the number of waterings. Mown grass, green manure, and straw are suitable as mulch. Over time, the mulch rots and fertilizes the soil.
3. Early ripening crop varieties grow quickly and absorb moisture more intensively. Therefore, insufficient soil moisture significantly reduces the yield of early potatoes.
4. Planting of zoned varieties. For planting, choose varieties that are adapted to the climatic conditions of your region.
5. Early boarding. In spring, plant potatoes as early as possible, when the soil temperature at a depth of 10 cm is +6...+7°C. This will allow you to make the most of spring moisture.

Conclusion

Do I need to water potatoes? Yes need. Sufficient soil moisture is an important condition for the development of potatoes during all periods of growth: from the emergence of seedlings to the growth of tubers.

By making some effort to organize proper watering, you will increase productivity and reduce the risk of disease development. However, keep in mind that excessive moisture also harms potatoes.