Technology for preparing potatoes for planting

Potatoes need pre-planting preparation no less than vegetable seeds. Many gardeners are not aware of this procedure, but it guarantees a high-quality tuber crop at the end of the season. In this article we will share information on how to prepare and process potatoes for seeds.

Why do you need to prepare tubers and is it possible to do without it?

Preparing tubers helps accelerate growth, resistance to adverse weather conditions (drought, lack of sun, cold snap), harmful insects and diseases. Sprouted tubers take root faster, produce leaves, and an early and larger harvest is formed.

At the beginning of the procedure, low-quality and diseased specimens are identified that will not give the expected result.

Without processing the planting material, the potatoes will sit in the ground for a long time and waste energy on sprouting. Such bushes have reduced immunity and a long growing season.

When to prepare planting material

A set of measures to prepare tubers begins a month before planting. The timing of their onset depends on the growing region:

• middle zone - end of April;
• Siberia, Ural, Far East - late April - early May;
• southern regions - second half of March.

Methods for preparing potatoes for planting

There are several ways to prepare potatoes before planting. The choice depends on the goals and existing conditions.

Germination

Germination of tubers before planting, awakens the buds and reduces the likelihood of late blight. There are several variations of the method.

Dry germination in the light

In a lighted room, lay out the tubers in boxes or pallets. In the first 10 days, a temperature of +18...+20°C is required, then it is lowered to +12...+14°C. The potatoes are periodically turned over for 20-40 days. During this time, strong shoots 2-3 cm long grow, which will survive transportation.

The method allows you to increase productivity by up to 40%. If there is not enough space, the tubers are placed in bags or nets and hung in a lighted place, but so that they are not exposed to sunlight. 5-6 holes are made in plastic bags for ventilation. Turn it over on the other side several times throughout the entire period to ensure even illumination.

Wet germination

The tubers are placed in a container with a moist substrate. Peat, sphagnum moss, humus, and sawdust are used as materials. At a temperature of +12...+15°C, keep in a dark place for 15 days.

Potatoes do not dry out and retain moisture, and sprouts and roots receive more nutrients. The substrate is moistened with a solution of 50 g of superphosphate and 30 g of potassium sulfate, diluted in 10 liters of water.

Combined method

This method is used to obtain the earliest possible harvest. Stages:

1. Germinate using dry method for 2-3 weeks at a temperature of +12...+14°C.
2. Place in boxes with wet bedding and keep for 7-10 days at a temperature of +20...+22°C, avoiding drying out.
3. When the roots appear, treat with a solution of 10 liters of water, 30 g of nitrate, 30 g of potassium and 50 g of superphosphate.
4. After the leaves appear, the tubers are planted.

Drying

The method is relevant if the tubers have not yet emerged from the dormant state by the beginning of spring.They are evenly distributed on a flat, illuminated surface, where the temperature does not drop below +20°C. After 2 weeks, the tubers will wrinkle and eyes will appear. Such seed material is suitable for planting.

Note! When withered, sprouts do not have time to form.

Warming up

The method will help out if there is little time left for preparation. 3-5 days before the intended planting, the tubers are transferred from storage to a warm room with a temperature of +12...+15°C. After 5-6 hours it is increased by 2°C. Then they also do this every 2 hours until the temperature reaches +30°C.

It is enough to keep the potatoes warm for 3 days to activate shoot growth.

Vernalization

The concept of vernalization refers to a set of measures for the preparation of planting material in order to increase the yield. Among the stages of the process are landscaping, germination, treatment with disinfectants and stimulants. Vernalized potatoes germinate 12-15 days earlier and are less susceptible to diseases and pest attacks.

Landscaping is carried out in the fall. The tubers are kept in boxes in the light until they acquire a dark green color. Then they are put away for storage in the cellar.

Important! Green potatoes are more shelf-stable, mice do not eat them, and mold does not appear on them.

For spring germination, any suitable method is chosen, based on the number of tubers, area occupied and time available.

How to select tubers for planting

The selection of raw materials is carried out in autumn or early spring. Potatoes with rotten spots and mold, soft areas and cracks are not allowed for planting. If a tuber weighs less than 30 g, it is also considered unsuitable.

Do not use large tubers for planting. Many powerful shoots will grow from them, but the potatoes will be small.If this is a varietal feature, they are cut into 2 equal parts.

Calibration by weight and size:

• 30-50 g - small tuber;
• 50-80 g - medium;
• from 80 g - large.

Each category is planted separately. This will prevent uneven germination and simplify further care.

Important! Small potatoes are planted provided that they are collected from the most productive bushes.

Treatment of tubers before planting

Pre-planting complex treatment includes protecting potatoes from diseases and pests and treating them with growth stimulants.

What to process

For etching, chemical and biological preparations, trace elements and folk remedies are used.

Processing scheme

Standard number of treatments, suitable for all varieties and growing regions:

• one disinfection before planting for germination;
• spraying with stimulants in the middle and at the end of preparation;
• treatment for pests 1-2 days before planting.

For what

All preparations and means are used for two purposes: preventing the development of pathogens and pest larvae, as well as ensuring the speedy germination of tubers and their nutrition.

Against the Colorado potato beetle and wireworm

Pre-planting treatment with special preparations makes potatoes inedible and poisonous to pests. Suitable insecticides for wireworms and Colorado potato beetles - the most dangerous and common insects:

• "Prestige";
• "Matador";
• "Taboo";
• "Commander";
• "Nuprid 600";
• "Cruiser".

The tubers are laid out on a tarpaulin or film, sprayed with the composition, turned over and sprayed again.

Protection from diseases

Potato diseases are difficult to treat during the growing season, since planting material always retains harmful microorganisms. The most dangerous:

• late blight;
• blackleg;
• ring and wet rot;
• silver scab.

Treatment against bacterial and fungal spores during the germination period reduces the likelihood of their appearance during the growing season. Effective drugs:

• "Fitosporin";
• "Albite";
• "Agate";
• "Planriz";
• "Immunocytophyte".

When preparing the working solution, strictly adhere to the dosage.

To stimulate growth

Growth stimulation is aimed at activating biological processes, promoting the germination of eyes and strengthening the immune system. The yield of bushes from treated tubers is always higher, more nutrient content. Suitable drugs:

• "Epin";
• "Zircon";
• "Bioglobin";
• "Poteytin";
• "El-1";
• "Baikal".

The products are diluted according to the instructions and sprayed on the potatoes in the boxes.

Attention! An overdose of stimulants will lead to intoxication of the tubers, delay or complete cessation of development.

Processing using traditional methods

Many recipes for folk remedies for protecting and stimulating the development of tubers have proven effective in practice.

Mineral fertilizers

Mix 40 g of saltpeter and superphosphate in 1 liter of water, dip the tubers and immediately dry. This procedure accelerates the appearance of roots and shoots and increases disease resistance.

Potassium permangantsovka

1 g of potassium permanganate is diluted in 10 liters of water and the tubers are soaked in the liquid for 25-30 minutes. Afterwards they are thoroughly dried and put into boxes. If desired, future beds are watered with the same solution.

Important! Potassium permanganate is not used on acidified soils.

Soak

Soaking provides protection against diseases and strengthens the immunity of tubers. Recipes for solutions for 10 liters of water:

• boric acid - 50 g;
• urea - 20 g;
• zinc sulfate - 10 g;
• table salt - 200 g.

The tubers are kept in each solution for 30 minutes.

Wood ash

At any stage of preparation of planting raw materials, ash treatment is useful. Tubers without sprouts are rolled in it or powdered directly in the boxes.

Disinfection with copper sulfate

2-3 days before planting, prepare a solution of copper sulfate. There are several options:

1. Add 1 tsp to 10 liters of water. vitriol, then add the same amount of boric acid and potassium permanganate. The tubers are immersed in liquid for 15 minutes, dried and germination continues.
2. Dissolve 1 tbsp in a bucket of water. l. copper powder and 1 g of potassium permanganate. The tubers are moistened with the liquid before planting.
3. For 10 liters of hot water, use 5 g of vitriol, 60 g of superphosphate, 40 g of urea, 10 g of boric acid and 1 g of potassium permanganate. Potatoes are kept in the solution for half an hour. The method is especially effective before germination begins.

The most common mistakes and difficulties

One of the main mistakes is ignoring all measures for processing planting raw materials.

Mistakes also include planting damaged tubers, from which the damaged part is cut off. They are already infected and will transfer pathogens to the site; the harvest of such bushes will be meager.

Determining the correct preparation time often becomes a problem for gardeners. If the tubers begin to sprout too early, the sprouts stretch out, become thin and brittle.

Tips and recommendations from experienced gardeners

Gardeners with many years of experience recommend using long-term processing methods. They are more effective and suitable for most varieties.

For supporters of organic farming, there is an environmentally friendly method of pest control:

• 1 kg of ash is boiled in a bucket with 10 liters of water for 15 minutes;
• add grated laundry soap;
• cool and spray the bushes in the evening or in cloudy weather.

Planting material is collected in the fall. Tubers without defects from healthy bushes that produced the greatest yield are placed in separate boxes.

This is interesting:

How to plant and grow potatoes in the garden

Advantages and disadvantages of growing potatoes using Dutch technology

Proper planting of potatoes before winter: step-by-step instructions for beginning gardeners

Conclusion

The main stages of preparing potatoes for planting are divided into selection and calibration of tubers, germination, growth stimulation and disinfection. These measures increase productivity and plant resistance to diseases and pests. For preventive treatment, industrial preparations are used, as well as traditional methods. The entire preparation process takes 25-40 days depending on the technology.