Good afternoon, my reader. Before planting potatoes in the ground, you must first prepare in order to harvest a bountiful harvest, increase the marketability and taste of root crops. Even a novice gardener can handle all the procedures. The beginning of preparation for planting begins with the gardening of the potato seeds.
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Greening root crops
Chlorophyll appears in the light in potatoes, and in this regard, such a toxic substance as solanine accumulates. It is very dangerous for people (if a large amount of a substance is ingested), and for various bacteria, as well as fungi. In addition, greenish tubers last longer and are not damaged by rodents. In this regard, seed potatoes should be prepared in a similar way in the autumn, after the end of the potato harvest. However, you will not be late if you do this before the germination process in the spring.
To do this, lay out good, undamaged roots in one layer in a warm, lighted room. Be sure to turn the tubers every 3-4 days so that they turn green evenly. After about two weeks, when the potatoes acquire a rich green color, the procedure should be completed.
Root sorting
The germination period depends on the size of the potatoes, so it is necessary to carefully sort out the seed material. One-dimensional vegetables are planted in separate areas. This method will allow crops to grow at the same time, and not weaken in the shade of powerful broadleaf bushes.
You can sort the roots "by eye" by folding them into different containers:
- large potatoes 75-110 g each;
- medium size - about 35-70 g;
- small size - from about 25 to 50 g.
Germination of root crops
Before planting potatoes in the ground, they should be warmed up until eyes appear. With this action, the effect of phytophthora is reduced. Choose whichever germination method works best for you.
Dry germination
It is necessary to spread the potatoes on the floor in 1-2 layers. The room should be bright and warm 15-20 ° C. After about a week and a half, the room temperature can be reduced to 10-14 ° C. Flip the potatoes all the time so that the light hits them evenly. Seedlings will appear on the tubers in 20-30 days.
Germination in wet conditions
Put the sorted root vegetables in a bowl with a moistened substrate, for the preparation of which you can use sawdust, peat, humus or sphagnum moss. The container with vegetables should be in a dark room with a temperature of at least 12-15 ° C. Maintain moisture in the substrate for 14 days.
Complex germination
First, carry out the procedure for about three weeks using the dry method, and then hold the potatoes in a moist substrate.
Dehydration
It is the fastest germination method. Spread the potatoes in one layer across the floor or place in crates. Root crops should be kept in a lighted, heated (not lower than 20 ° C) room, after about 10 days the roots will shrivel, and sprouted eyes will appear on them.
Warming up
Place the seed potatoes in a room that should be 12-15 ° C. When about 4-6 hours have passed, raise the air temperature by 2 ° C. Increase gradually by the same value over a period of two hours, but make sure it does not exceed +22 ° C.
Seed processing
Root crops often develop fungal and bacterial diseases, so tubers should be disinfected before germination. For this action, it is recommended to use drugs such as "Pencicuron", "Fitosporin-M" or "Fludioxonil". Also in demand among summer residents are funds with complex properties: "Maxim", "Prestige" and others.
You can prepare the preparations yourself. A solution of Bordeaux liquid (1%) has a good effect. You can use copper sulfate (20 g) paired with potassium permanganate (1 g) per 10 liters of liquid. Pre-dissolve the substances in warm water (1 l), and only then bring the volume to 10 l.
When spraying, thoroughly moisten the roots with the solution.
Treatment of tubers from parasites
If a wireworm, bear or scoop has settled in your garden, you need to treat the seeds with chemical or folk preparations.
The following products are popular: "Aktara", "Prestige", "Imidalit", "Cruiser". To protect potatoes, you can take wood ash in the amount of 1 kg per 10 liters of liquid. Bathe the tubers in the solution and dry or dust the potatoes with ash powder at the rate of 1 kg of powder per 35-40 kg of tubers.
Treatment of seed potatoes with growth stimulants
To complete the preparation for planting, you can apply a growth stimulant. You need to carry out the procedure just before planting or about 1-2 days in advance. For these purposes, there are preparations "Bioglobin", "Poteytin", "Epin Extra", "Vermicon".
Can be treated with mineral fertilizers. A mixture that has in its composition ammonium nitrate and superphosphate has proven itself well, for this you should take 400 g of the substance and add them to water (10 l). It is necessary to hold the tubers in the solution for an hour, dry and plant in the ground.
Cutting root crops before planting
Cutting potatoes in special cases:
- if there is little seed;
- if desired, breed a new variety;
- if the tubers are large enough.
Cut the tubers according to the following scheme: medium potatoes - lengthwise into two halves, large enough - into 3-4 pieces, keeping at least 2 sprouts on each.
Cut before planting, if it is not possible, then it is possible earlier, in three weeks, but provided that the chopped tubers are stored in a warm, ventilated building.
Do you know how to properly prepare potatoes for planting?
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