Sometimes potatoes with very high tops grow in the garden. Green foliage takes up nutrients for itself, and if measures are not taken in a timely manner, this problem will lead to a poor harvest.
Several reasons for the rapid development of green mass
Some varieties have tall and powerful tops, but in some cases, the tops grow actively on ordinary potatoes. This problem may have the following reasons:
- Large amounts of humus, manure or bird droppings were introduced, resulting in too much nitrogen in the soil. Then the plants will grow more than 1 m in height, and the potato tubers will remain small in size.
- When planting, too coarse planting material was used, which led to the formation of abundant green mass.
- The potato beds are in a dark area, and the plants are drawn towards the light. Potato bushes grow tall, but with depleted tops, and the leaves are pale in color. For planting potatoes, you should choose open, well-lit areas.
- There is not enough distance between the bushes, so a shadow is formed.
- During hot weather and with abundant waterlogging, the tops stretch to growth, and the potatoes grow small.
There are some methods to help gardeners deal with excess green mass in potatoes. With an excessive amount of nitrogen, it is necessary to water the beds with a composition that slows down the growth of tops and has a positive effect on the proper development of root crops. To do this, you should take superphosphate in the amount of one hundred grams, first dilute it with a small amount of hot liquid, and then fill it with cold water (10 liters).
A small amount of the prepared solution is applied under each plant. The same nutrient composition is useful when spraying bushes in order to get the fastest effect. The green foliage after such processing will not become smaller, however, the nutritious juices of the culture will begin to collect in the roots, and the process of root crop formation will accelerate.
You can sprinkle with wood ash between the rows of potatoes, and then embed the substance in the soil. Ash powder will help enhance the effect of the superphosphate solution. During the development of potato bushes, it is necessary to feed with the help of those fertilizers that do not contain nitrogen.
Be sure to remember that an excess of mineral fertilizers can adversely affect the storage of the crop, the potatoes will not be able to lie for a long time.
As soon as the flowering stops and the harvesting of tubers approaches, the potato tops can be mowed or bent to the surface of the ground. Careful bending of the bushes about 14 days before harvesting the potatoes will direct the crop's forces towards tuber formation. You can stomp your feet around the bushes, while not breaking off the shoots.
Before mowing the greens, you need to dig in the bush so that you are convinced of the ripening of the tubers. Do not under any circumstances cut off the tops of a flowering plant. Once the aerial part is removed, the roots will ripen faster. The soil in these areas will dry out, and there will be a decrease in the risk of infection of the plant with diseases.
If the green mass on the bushes is very low, then, most likely, the soil was poorly prepared before planting or the crops feel a lack of phosphorus.
Choosing the right potato variety
When choosing potato seeds, you should pay attention to medium-sized tubers. Cut large potatoes into two parts, sprinkle each half with ashes. Cutting the tubers should be done about ten days before planting, during which time a dense crust should form on the cut areas.
Some varieties (Nakra and Adretta) develop powerful tops, but this does not affect the harvest in any way, the potatoes grow large. In such plants, high tops are mown only when the bushes are affected by late blight. The green mass must be removed so that the disease does not spread to the tubers and does not affect other vegetable plants.
Original articleand many other materials, you can find on ourwebsite.
Read also: How to properly prune strawberries after harvest