For many years, potatoes have become integral to the cultivation of crops. It is planted in every garden, and the usual diet is difficult to imagine without potato tubers. Potatoes are planted at the end of spring, when the earth has already warmed up, but will still be saturated with moisture. For most of Russia, potatoes are planted after the May holidays.
Tubers have a big impact on yield. The taste characteristics, the size of the fruit, and the germination period depend on their quality. To grow the tubers faster and better, it is recommended to sprout potatoes before planting. This is necessary so that early seedlings are formed, and productivity increases. Germination of potatoes is not a difficult process and does not take much time and effort. In time, the process can last from one to two weeks, so the potatoes are prepared for planting in advance. Potatoes germinate well at warm or room temperature and in high humidity, so most methods of germination are based on these two factors.
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Selection of tubers for germination
Planting material must be of high quality. The following requirements are imposed on him:
- healthy tubers; do not take for germination sick and infected rotted tubers;
- medium-sized tubers; no need to use potatoes weighing less than 30 grams for planting;
- tubers of regular and even shape; from curved tubers, the bush is not even.
Methods of germinating potatoes for planting
There are many ways. All of them will help to quickly sprout potatoes and get an earlier crop. Potatoes need to be germinated 2-3 weeks before planting. The following are the most effective methods for germinating tubers:
Germination of tubers in the light. The most famous and most common way. Selected healthy tubers are placed in a box or box in one or a maximum of two rows. A container with fruits is placed in a bright room (you can on the windowsill or on the floor) and leave the tubers for 10-14 days. Periodically, 2-3 times a week. the fruits are turned over and swapped so that each fruit receives the necessary portion of the sun. At the end of the term, thick and strong processes appear on the tubers.
In villages or summer cottages where potatoes are grown on a large scale, potato tubers are sprouted right on the street. Pour tubers onto a covered with polyethylene piece of land slides and leave for 2 weeks. The air temperature should be at least 17 degrees Celsius, and the weather should be sunny. If it starts to rain outside, the potatoes are immediately covered with polyethylene. It is impossible to wet the fruits, otherwise they will rot.
Germination of tubers in the dark. An equally effective method for the selection of tubers, as a result of which culling of sick potatoes is carried out. Potatoes are also placed in one or two layers in a box and left in a dark but warm room for 2 weeks, periodically turning the tubers. After 2 weeks, the potato will sprout.
Germination in pots or crates. Tubers need to be lowered into wet sawdust for 3-4 days, and then transferred to a pot or box where moist humus and earth are covered. Pots (boxes) with tubers are placed on the windowsill and left to germinate for 2 weeks.
Germination of potatoes in polyethylene. Medium sized plastic bags will be required. The method is based on the greenhouse effect. Each package contains 8-12 potatoes, then the package is tied and 8-10 openings for ventilation are made in it. Packages must be installed in a lighted place. This method is the fastest in time and allows you to get already sprouted tubers in 10 days.
Drying potatoes. An unusual, but very effective way to prepare tubers for planting. Potato tubers with this method are well ventilated, it is possible to reject some fruits, and most importantly - the awakening of the eyes. Potatoes are poured in a single layer on the floor into a bright room and left for 10 days.
Wet method of germination of tubers. Potatoes are poured into boxes in several layers. Water is poured into the box, it should flow out from the back. All potatoes should be wet. A box with tubers is placed in a room with a temperature of 17-19 degrees Celsius for 4-5 days. Then, in order to stimulate the formation of sprouts, a bucket of water with ash is poured into the box (1 glass of ash per 10 liters of water). After 3-4 days, watering is repeated. Ash can be replaced with copper with boron or ammonium nitrate with potassium chloride.
Germination of potatoes in a wet substrate. The substrate may be sawdust, ash, sand, peat. Any of the listed products should be moistened with water. Tubers are laid on it, and moisture is maintained in the soil. The potato will sprout quickly.
Planting sprouted potatoes
When the tubers sprout, they are ready to plant. The land is plowed or dug up, peat and dung are distributed, holes are made in depths of 20-30 centimeters and with the same step. One germinated fruit is sprouted down in each hole, a glass of ash is added and the hole is covered with soil. Potatoes are planted in rows.
When the entire plot is planted, the ground is shed with water. After a few days, the potatoes will start to pry out of the ground. After 2 weeks, weeds and grass begin to weed. By mid-summer, potato bushes are spudding. Weeding and hilling have a positive effect on the growth of fruits, as well as their health and taste.
Potatoes grow by the end of summer. The first fruits can be tasted in early August. Subsequently, the potatoes are dug out of the ground to frost and dried, and then removed for storage.
The potato must be sprouted, as this guarantees its rapid emergence and tuber growth. Sprouted potatoes grow well and do not require much care and attention.
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