Seed-potatoes

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SUCCESSFUL CULTIVATION OF POTATOES AT HOME:

SOIL PREPARATION AND ORGANIC FERTILISATION

Do not forget to remove the remains of previously grown cultures. Do not plant potatoes or tomatoes in the same place more frequently than every four years. Keep as far away from a compost heap as possible. Do not form beds under trees, near bushes or places protected from wind and close to tomatoes. Avoid planting in water-meadows and heavy soil. In autumn prepare soil and fertilise it with well-moistened compost or dung.

ABOUT SEED POTATOES

Use certified seed potatoes every year. Certified seed potatoes are of high-quality and high-quality seed is a guarantee of a good yield! In order to accelerate growth, germinate early potatoes. Put seed potatoes into boxes and place them in a bright and ventilated room. Around 10-20° is the most suitable temperature, avoid temperature higher than 20°. Duration of germination depends on a variety and germination temperature and is about three to six weeks. Let the sprouts grow up to 1-2 cm. Do not cut seed potatoes! It is necessary to take care that sprouts and peel would not be damaged during planting.

PLANTING

Plant the potatoes, which you germinated in April, when soil temperature is at least 6° or 8°, when you plant ungerminated potatoes. Do not plant them into a very moist soil. Keep the distance of 65 to 70 cm between beds and 30 to 35 cm between the tubers. If possible, form the beds in the East-Western direction. Avoid the North-Southern direction. Take care not to plant the tubers too deep. If the soil is even, make shallow beds and place the tubers that the upper side of potatoes is in the same level with the upper layer of soil after you level it out.

FERTILISATION

Do not use fresh dung, lime or mineral fertilisers containing chlorine. Fertilise with mineral manure during planting: depending on the organic fertilisation not more than 60 g of manure per m² (up to 7 g of N (nitrogen)/m²). If you use both organic and mineral manure, the biggest amount of manure allowed is 25 g/m² (corresponds to 3 g of N (nitrogen)/m²). Complex chlorine-free mineral NPK manure in proportion of 10:10:20, 11:11:21 with trace element additives, e.g. manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), etc. are the most suitable. Note that too much manure affect the taste, quality and storing characteristics of potatoes. Spread manure near the tubers.

CARE

After germination and appearance of sprouts above the soils mould up the soil 3-4 times taking care not to damage the offsets. If you use a hoe, remove weeds. During drought, water sandy soil in the evening or morning. Note the resistance of every variety to plague. Depending on the frequency of precipitation spray potatoes against plague approximately every 10-14 starting from the Midsummer day (June 24). Watch for vermin: potato beetles, aphids. Whenever possible, pick the potato beetles or use protective chemical means for plants. If plants are highly attacked by vermin, cut vines and destroy them at the end of vegetation. Potato tubers must be ripe enough before crop, thus we recommend cutting vines and removing them from between beds three weeks before crop.

YIELD AND STORING OF POTATOES

If you want to store potatoes throughout winter, note the following guidance. During digging potato peel must be relatively hard and do not peel off (rub with a thumb). Harvest during dry weather at 15-20° temperature. Tubers must be dry before storing. Store in a dark, cool, non-freezing and ventilated room. Do not keep potatoes in plastic bags in no means! Wicker, wooden boxes or wicker racks are more suitable. Do not store potatoes together with fruits. Take care that the temperature in a storage room is 3-4°

RECOMMENDATIONS FOR SUCCESSFUL CULTIVATION OF POTATOES AT HOME:

SOIL PREPARATION AND ORGANIC FERTILISATION

Do not forget to remove the remains of previously grown cultures. Do not plant potatoes or tomatoes in the same place more frequently than every four years. Keep as far away from a compost heap as possible. Do not form beds under trees, near bushes or places protected from wind and close to tomatoes. Avoid planting in water-meadows and heavy soil. In autumn prepare soil and...