Is it necessary to pick potato flowers to increase the yield

It is believed that the removal of inflorescences on potatoes contributes to the growth of the crop, but there is another opinion: this method only harms the plant and affects the potato yield. Is it really?

Do I need to pick flowers from potatoes during flowering

In potatoes, the period of formation of tubers coincides with the flowering period. During this period, tubers receive half of all nutrients, and the second half is used by leaves and inflorescences. Therefore, the anxiety of those who are afraid to harm the plant by removing the flower is understandable. Often the land area is very large and the gardener does not want to do useless, or even harmful work.

Potato is a flowering plant species. The flowering period is the most important time for a potato crop. It is at this moment that tubers form, and proper care during flowering ensures an excellent harvest. At this time, when buds are formed, planting potatoes requires additional watering (an exception can be made only in rainy summers). Gardeners during this period practice picking off inflorescences so that the plant spends less energy on the formation of seeds.

The problem of degeneration of varieties is directly related to the removal of flowers. To preserve varietal qualities, a plant needs to go through the entire life cycle - flowering, fruit formation, ripening. By picking flowers, the gardener robs the plant of one of these cycles. As a result, the variety degenerates. In subsequent years, yields fall, and potato tubers become smaller.

Do I need to pick flowers from potatoes to increase yield

The main purpose of any type of plant is propagation, and if the potato buds are removed during this period, the plant begins to actively supply nutrients up to form new flowers. Thus, the beginning of the process of tuber formation is delayed by almost half a month.

Almost the same situation occurs when removing flowers. When the flowering process is completed, the petals wither and seed boxes begin to form on the plant, useful substances begin to accumulate in the tubers. Therefore, if you break off the fruit that has formed after flowering, the potato yield will increase.

Why pick potato flowers

Clipping flowers increases productivity only on certain varieties of potatoes and under certain conditions.

For gardeners who decide to remove flowers, there are several tips:

You may be interested in:

When, how much and how to water potatoes properly: tips and rulesPotato ripening period from planting to harvest: ripening stagesSimple conditions for winter storage of potatoes on the balcony

• some varieties of potatoes can bloom, but do not form seeds, therefore, nutrients are not consumed for their ripening, removal of flowers in this case is impractical and will lead to unnecessary injury to the plant;
• when removing flowers, the gardener can trample the earth between the rows, this will lead to a lack of moisture and air in the soil;
• when flowers are cut off for plants, there is a risk of infection from a person or from another diseased plant.

Reviews

Ivan, 42 years old.

My parents always picked flowers from potatoes. The potato gave a good harvest. I tried picking flowers, but the next year, no. The increase in the crop is not particularly felt. Now I decided to neither torment nor pick up flowers anymore, I have a large garden.

Svetlana, 30 years old.

Everyone wants to grow good potatoes. The method of picking the fruit is correct and necessary, it guarantees the growth of tubers. Fruits should be removed or torn off with your hands, but it is better to cut with scissors.

Olga, 36 years old.

I tried to break off the inflorescence, after which the bottom leaf of the potato began to dry out, and as a result the crop was poor. Now I will try to cut the ovaries (they are usually green, for those who do not know).