The procedure for germinating potatoes before planting in the ground helps the gardener to get friendly seedlings and a large harvest. At the same time, weak potato sprouts are removed, which means that the resistance of the vegetable to diseases increases.

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Should potatoes be germinated before planting?

Sprouting potatoes before planting solves several problems:

• eliminates damaged tubers that will not sprout or give weak sprouts;
• accelerates the ripening time of the crop - sprouted potatoes will bear fruit 2-3 weeks earlier;
• prevents potato diseases;
• Under the influence sun rays the potato turns green and begins to produce a poison that destroys viral and fungal diseases.

When and how long do you need to germinate potatoes?

Sprouting potatoes should begin 20–40 days before planting in the ground. When planting seeds in May, preparation should begin in early April. If you can start planting potatoes in the region no earlier than June, then the germination time is shifted to the end of April.

The gardener can decide for himself how many days to germinate planting material - there are methods that speed up this process in a week. But it is not recommended to germinate potatoes for longer than 45 days - the sprouts will begin to stretch, and the potatoes will rot.

What tubers should be taken for germination?

Potatoes for future sprouts are chosen in the fall at harvest. best size seed material 70-90 grams (this is a little more than a chicken egg).

Preparing potatoes for sprouting

Stages of preparation:

1. Potatoes need to be sorted by size.
2. Remove rotten and damaged tubers.
3. Wash potatoes.
4. For disinfection, it will be correct to process the potatoes in a solution of boric acid (10 grams per liter of water).
5. Tubers should be dried in the shade or at room temperature 10-15 days before planting.

Germination methods

There are 8 better ways sprouting potatoes before planting. Methods can be combined with each other.

in the light

Three weeks before planting in the garden, the potatoes are taken out of the storage place and placed in the light, for example, on the window and kept for 20 days at a temperature of 17–21 degrees Celsius. When sprouts 1 cm long appear, the potatoes are transferred to a cool place with a temperature of about 10 degrees. Tubers can be germinated both in 2-3 layers on the floor and in boxes.

Potato sprouted in the light

In the dark

An unpopular germination method, as it causes several problems:

• small, weak shoots;
• the weakest growth of seedlings from all the proposed methods;
• sprouts are pulled out;
• high probability of late blight disease;
• no light exposure.

In the dark, seedlings germinate for 20 days. The air temperature in the room should be 18-20 degrees. After germination, you need to carefully examine the sprouts and choose strong and healthy ones for planting.

Potato sprouts germinated in the dark

Wet germination

For this method, boxes are prepared filled with a mixture of humus and sawdust. Potato tubers are placed in them and the container is placed in a dark, cool place with a temperature of 12–15 degrees. In this way, the potato will sprout - 4 centimeters and the first roots. Also, the seeds will receive the first organic trace elements from humus.

Wet sprouting potatoes

Wet sprouting of potatoes in sawdust is demonstrated by System Error XXX.

In polyethylene film

For this method, you need a strong plastic bag. Potatoes are placed in it and small holes are made for ventilation. The package must be tied and hung so that it gets sunlight. Periodically, the workpiece should be rotated different sides for uniform illumination of tubers.

When the potatoes germinate, they can be planted in the beds. You need to transport the seeds without pulling them out of the bag.

Tubers germinated in a bag

In feed boxes

Germination technology:

1. Take several boxes and cover the bottom with cellophane.
2. Cover the potatoes with peat.
3. Place the tubers in the box.
4. Spill boxes with water.

Potatoes in boxes should be left to germinate at room temperature for a week. After 7 days, the sprouts will need top dressing.

Feed mix:

• potassium chloride - 10 grams;
• ammonium nitrate - 10 grams;
• superphosphate - 50 grams.

The mixture must be diluted with warm water and water the potato seeds, after two days the procedure must be repeated. After a week, potatoes can be planted in the garden.

Potatoes germinated in boxes

Outdoors

In this way, potatoes can be germinated in the spring in April - May. The main condition is that the snow melts and the air temperature rises above 10 degrees.

Germination process:

1. The place where potatoes will be germinated is insulated with straw and peat. You can put manure under the straw - it speeds up the germination rate.
2. Put potatoes on top in 1 or 2 layers.
3. The tubers are covered with a film to create a greenhouse effect.
4. After 1-3 weeks, the film is removed.
5. Sprouted tubers are planted in the garden.

Wilting and heating of tubers

This method requires a heated room. In an apartment with an air temperature above 16 degrees, potatoes will sprout without any extra effort. Two weeks before planting, the potatoes need to be laid out on a bedding in the room. After the sprouts sprout, the seeds can be planted in the garden.

If you raise the temperature in the room to 30 degrees, then the potato eyes will sprout faster.

Combined method

1.5 months before the expected one, you can use this method.

Germination stages:

1. Potatoes are germinated for 3 weeks using the “in the light” method.
2. Then the seeds are placed for 2 weeks in layers in a box. Under each layer of potatoes there should be a mixture of humus with sawdust.
3. After laying out the tubers, the box is watered.

During the time the potatoes are in the box, they need to be fed twice. complex fertilizer or sprinkle the tubers with ash.

How to quickly germinate potatoes?

Faster germination of potatoes is to use special solutions and an increase in the number of shoots. Combining the methods will help you quickly (in 1-2 weeks) get the desired number of seedlings.

Stimulating incisions

This procedure is done to increase the number of sprouts. To do this, you need to make cuts across the potato with a depth of 1 centimeter. For a more uniform appearance of sprouts, a circular incision is made to a depth of 1.5 centimeters. Further, the seeds are germinated in any way, but it is better to choose the method in the light.

Use of solutions and fertilizers

In solutions and fertilizers, potatoes germinate 2-3 weeks faster. Using any method in combination with the use special means, you can get a crop ahead of time.

Fertilizers to speed up germination.

Potatoes germinated before planting germinate better and give a rich harvest. To these advantages, one more thing is added: the risk of infection of the bushes with diseases is reduced. Experienced agronomists have developed methods and rules on how to germinate potatoes for planting. If you follow the recommendations, then the efforts made will not be in vain and the harvest will be better than last year.

How to germinate potatoes before planting

Ways to germinate potatoes come down to two important requirements: the temperature in the room is maintained within 12-16 degrees, and the room itself is ventilated daily.
The level of humidity and illumination in accordance with the chosen method of germination.
From the main methods and methods, choose the available one:

1. Light. Germination period - a month (+/- 10 days). Requires strict control of heat and light. The material for sowing is placed in 1-2 layers in boxes (plastic or wooden, with a discontinuous wall). Boxes are placed in the most illuminated place. Periodically, the potatoes are turned over, mixed, so that the exposure to light is uniform.
2. Dark. The simplest method, but takes more time. It is not necessary to prepare potatoes for germination, but at the end of the process there is a risk of damage to the tubers. Root crops are placed in boxes in 2-3 layers and placed in a dark place for 40-70 days.
3. Wet. A quick method that takes 2-3 weeks and increases the time of germination of sprouts in the garden. The tubers are laid out in pallets or boxes, you can even just on the floor, and a layer (about 3 cm high) of a moistened substrate is poured on top. Use peat, sawdust, sand with clay and other loose materials to choose from. Humidity of the bulk layer is maintained during the germination period.
4. Combined. Sprouting potatoes in this way takes 30-45 days and is a combination of light and wet methods. At the beginning of 2-3 weeks, the tubers are in the light. After the appearance of short sprouts, they are placed under a layer of substrate. Moisten the substrate with water, with dissolved fertilizers or ash after an interval of 3 days. wet method lasts 5-7 days.
5. Polyethylene. It is based on the creation of the greenhouse effect. Root crops are placed in transparent bags with several holes (10 pieces each). The bags are tightly tied and hung in a well-lit place, but without direct sunlight. Periodically change the sides of the package and sprinkle with water. The process takes 2-3 weeks.
6. Plastic. The tubers are placed in bottles (1 in each) with a capacity of 1.5-2 liters, placed on a windowsill or other bright place. The top of the bottle is cut off, several holes are made at the bottom. Potatoes are covered with earth with fertilizers, periodic watering is required.
7. Drying. The duration is only 10-14 days. Planting material is laid out on the floor in one layer in a room with a temperature of 20-25 degrees until sprouts form.
   After carrying out the manipulations, the material is ready for planting in the garden. The soil should be warm, not lower than 12 degrees.

When to start preplanting

Potatoes are prepared for germination immediately after digging. Harvested from the most productive and strong bushes, the crop is subjected to the first sorting: strong tubers are selected without any signs of spoilage. They undergo a sun-greening procedure for 21 days, after which they undergo a second sorting.
Sorted root crops are placed in a vegetable store for the winter. So that the seed fruits do not freeze and germinate ahead of time (which will significantly affect the quality of the crop), the temperature in the storage should be +4 degrees, and the air humidity should be 60%.
After carrying out early activities, the question remains when to get potatoes for germination. Direct pre-landing preparation begins 30-40 days before the date of the proposed landing. The term depends on the chosen method: the light one starts in 2-2.5 months, the rest - in 1-1.5 months. tubers early varieties sprout faster, so they should be obtained for germination in 20-25 days.

Pre-landing preparation requires the following actions:

• Third sorting: selection of diseased and damaged tubers.
• Thorough rinsing to kill bacteria that can grow in heat and disinfection.
• Drying of seed in the sun until moisture is completely removed.
• Three-day warming at a temperature of 23-28 degrees.
• After that seed materials ready for sprouting.

What tubers to take for planting

The recommended size of tubers for planting is the size of egg, whose weight is approximately 100 g. It is better to immediately reject small root crops weighing less than 30 g. The material is selected before germination long before planting. The germination time of potatoes does not depend on the size of the tubers, which only affects the development of roots and the formation of tubers underground.

Too large seeds are rich nutrients, minerals. As a result of their use, a large increase is obtained, but it takes a lot of time to use the available reserves. Until the planted root crop gives all its reserves to the sprouts, the root will not be able to fully develop. As a result, later there are violations in providing the tops with everything necessary: ​​after all, underground part remains weak for some time.

The formation of new tubers - the future crop - occurs only after a balance is established between the underground and aboveground parts. So experienced gardeners roots large varieties cut into pieces, each of which has a peephole. This is done 3-4 days before disembarkation, so that the cut becomes coarse, and the infection does not get into the fresh “wound”.

Potatoes that are too small to germinate contain few nutrients. Such tubers are unable to provide good harvest. But if the sort planting material small, 2-4 root crops should be placed in each hole. The harvest will turn out to be good, but the inconvenience when harvesting it cannot be avoided: it will take longer to dig, and some potatoes will even be damaged due to manipulations with a shovel.

How to process potatoes before planting

In the fight against diseases, pests, as well as to increase the yield, processing potatoes before planting helps.
There are several processing methods:

• Chemical is an effective, but rather harmful way. Acquire chemicals in special stores. To treat tubers to protect against insects, products called "Maxim", "Prestige", "Cruiser" are used. They also protect against rot, prevent the growth of bacteria and the development of diseases. Poteitin and Mikom are used as biostimulants for better and faster root formation.
• Folk - simpler, but preserving useful material and environmental friendliness of the product. For disinfection, root crops are placed for 15 minutes in a solution of boric acid (per 10 liters of ordinary water is coming 10 g of powder). To provide future crop protection from pests, diseases, as well as accelerate their germination, a solution is being prepared. In 10 liters of water, dilute 1-1.5 tsp. three types of powders (potassium permanganate, boric acid, copper sulfate). Sprouted potatoes are treated in a solution for 15-20 minutes, then suspended to drain the liquid, after which they fall asleep wood ash.

In the process of germination, it will be useful to spray once a week with humate, zircon or epin. For a wet method of preparing root crops for planting better fit phytosporin.

Improvement of planting material

The degeneration of planting material is a natural and completely conditioned process that cannot be avoided.
Every year the number of problems grows:

1. There are a small number of tubers in the nest;
2. Most of the plants are infected;
3. The taste worsens;
4. product appearance.

The fact is that the tubers accumulate and multiply in themselves received from mother plant genetic information: both positive and negative. The same applies to viral diseases, so every year the situation is getting worse.
In order to avoid problems, it is better to plant tubers in the spring from an elite manufacturer with a quality certificate. If the variety used suits the taste and appearance, you should engage in self-healing of future seeds, as well as bushes during the growing season. This will reduce the percentage of damage viral diseases and increase the yield. Another recovery option is to obtain seeds from young sprouts.

Healthy potato sprouts

It is not difficult to properly grow planting material from sprouts, but it requires additional time and effort.
Actions will be as follows:

1. Tubers pre-scheduled for these purposes must be obtained before the rest of the harvest. Green them in the sun.
2. Germinate in moist peat having a temperature of 19-26 degrees.
3. When the sprouts become 5-7 cm in size, they should be carefully broken out.
4. Further according to the plan - seedlings of sprouts in separate small pots or disposable plastic glasses. At the same time, the sprout is buried in the ground by 2/3 of its part.
5. Plant pots with seedlings in a row in a well-lit area.

Watering and fertilization is required periodically. Planting sprouts in the ground occurs simultaneously with planting potatoes with tubers. In time, the sprouts will produce several large tubers, which are used as healthy planting material next spring.

In autumn, the roots are washed, treated with a solution of manganese and phytosporin, dried and folded into glass jars large sizes. The necks should not be wrapped in a bag with an elastic band or covered with plastic / tin lids; instead, they should be tied with a cloth. Periodically, the jars need to be turned over, changing the sides of the sun's rays. Before planting, for 2-4 days, each root crop is cut into several parts.

Obtaining planting material from seeds

This type of obtaining material for planting will take more than one season. When the potatoes turn brown, seeds are isolated from green potato fruits, washed, dried in the sun, placed in paper bags and stored in them until spring. Then they are sown on seedlings at the same time as tomatoes, care and planting in the ground are similar.

In July-August, a small crop is harvested - the size of the tubers will not more bean. They are stored in a cool place separately from the rest of the crop. With the onset of spring, one of the growing methods is chosen: planting in the ground or growing by seedlings. As a result, they get excellent healthy seed material for planting next season.
Harvest obtained in such difficult ways will be healthy and plentiful.

Potatoes are valued for taste qualities, nutritional value and the ability to prepare hundreds of favorite dishes. Therefore, in every garden you can find beds with potatoes, which are looked after all season in order to obtain bountiful harvest. What contributes to this? Not only proper care and love for gardening, but also preliminary germination of tubers in an apartment or greenhouse! Such a simple method will allow you to get big harvest healthy tubers and more. All secrets (+ video) are revealed here!

Sprouted Potatoes: Obvious Benefits

Yesterday, our grandmothers did not specifically germinate potatoes, but simply divided it into parts before planting, choosing those on which large, healthy, short sprouts grew. But the devastated land, on which the same crops are grown year after year, the climatic conditions today do not make it possible to harvest such a crop as we would like.

To this it is worth adding not always high-quality planting material - and you have to think about light and simple ways yield increase. Germination of tubers before planting is one of them. It has a lot of advantages that can be appreciated at the end of the season, having collected a huge harvest. Light, fluffy, delicious!

Sprouting potatoes will help you get a harvest earlier than usual

The decision to germinate potatoes before planting will give each gardener:

• the ability to separate healthy tubers from diseased ones. When planting potatoes without sprouting, it is sometimes possible to miss a damaged, rotten, scab-covered tuber, which will not give a good harvest. When preparing potatoes for germination, it should be carefully sorted out;
• friendly and healthy seedlings, which will appear 8-10 days earlier than usual;
• a rich harvest harvested 10-14 days earlier. This is - important feature for those who grow for themselves (or for sale) potatoes of early varieties (Zhukovsky early, Alena, Bellarosa, Karatop, Red Scarlet, Impala). Covering the beds with spunbond will help you add an advantage in another 3-4 days. And your harvest is beyond competition!

Having studied the benefits of sprouting potatoes, every gardener will not fail to use this method. Time costs are small, the harvest is excellent!

Preparing potatoes for germination, or what to consider

Every autumn, digging up potatoes, drying them and sorting them, a wise gardener leaves seed tubers for planting. They differ from the usual ones in weight and shape (it is customary to leave medium-sized tubers of the same shape, healthy, even, weight - 40-100 g) for planting. However, in order to germinate tubers for planting, it is also necessary to take into account:

• time. Knowing weather your region, having calculated the desired planting time, you need to germinate potatoes 25-31 days before;
• own capabilities, which will determine the options for germination. Agree, the germination of tubers in one-room apartment- this is one thing, on the territory of a heated greenhouse - another is done;

Calculate the start time of germination

• transportation conditions in case the germinated tubers need to be transported to the country, for example.

Attention! Don't skimp on seeds! Tubers weighing less than 30 g are not suitable for planting, as they have a small supply of nutrients. The opportunity to get a good harvest from such seed is minimal!

Sprouting tubers in an apartment: options

Many summer residents who live outside the city only in the warm season take seed potatoes to the basement of high-rise buildings in order to start germinating tubers a month before planting. limited area does not allow potatoes to germinate in the light or use cuts to accelerate germination (more on these methods below), but makes it possible to germinate tubers in:

• plastic bags;
• pots.

The first method is less labor-intensive and comes down to creating a unique microclimate, enough light for the tuber to give powerful and healthy shoots. For this you need:

• sort out potatoes, discarding diseased, mechanically damaged tubers;
• prepare transparent plastic bags(usual "T-shirt" of maximum density and size), making holes in them "for breathing" (scheme - 10-15 cm);
• place as many tubers in the bag as it can withstand, being suspended from the ceiling;
• spray potatoes with a spray bottle to create moisture;
• tie up the bag and hang it in the light. Temperature - 10-15°С.

Sprouting in pots involves laying out the tubers in suitable containers layers, alternating tubers with sawdust / peat / humus / garden soil. Pots are on the windowsill and from time to time watered with a "vegetable" mixture (for maximum saturation with nutrients). After 14-21 days, the tubers give roots. Quality seed is ready!

potato sprouts

This method, along with germinating tubers in bags, will allow you to get 30-40% bigger harvest. Minimum effort, the result is stunning!

Tubers in the greenhouse and not only, or the easiest ways to germinate

If you have a heated greenhouse in which you grow greens or seedlings, germinating potato tubers for planting is not difficult. One of the easiest ways is to germinate in the light. To do this, it is enough to place the tubers in one layer on flat surface. The same amount of light, the constancy of temperatures and humidity indicators will allow you to get the first powerful sprouts as early as 10-12 days. After that, the tubers must be turned over in order to get sprouts from the lower eyes. And you'll be ready to land!

An excellent, but labor-intensive method, is diagonal cuts along the tuber, without touching the eyes. You need to work with each tuber, then put it in boxes, sprinkling with sawdust. They should germinate in a dry and cool place, a cellar. Despite the complexity of the preparation of tubers, the advantage of this method is the ability to save on seed. After all, subsequently the tuber, which will give large and healthy sprouts, can be cut along the same lines into several parts. And enjoy a bountiful harvest!

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Germination of potatoes before planting - is it so important to follow the technology in order to get a good harvest?

Spring is just around the corner, which means it's time to plant seedlings. As practice has shown, it is not difficult to plant seeds and grow seedlings of vegetables, but things are much more complicated with potatoes. Germination of potatoes before planting deserves due attention. Set germination times correct handling and methods of preparing tubers for planting take a lot of time and effort, but if you want a good harvest, then you cannot do without these procedures.

This question torments many inexperienced gardeners. If you want a good harvest without diseases, then this process necessary. Potatoes without sprouts planted in open ground will grow unevenly and are more likely to be overcome by phytophthora, which is difficult to get rid of. It can destroy the entire crop of vegetables that are planted in the ground next to the potatoes. It is better not to risk future stocks for the winter and germinate the tubers before planting.
By the way, in addition to this, you need to know which potatoes are suitable for sprouting. It can be of several types: fodder, universal, technical and table. We need the latter type of potato, it bears many fruits and the starch content in one tuber ranges from 12 to 17%. Other types of potatoes are not suitable for our body.

Timing

name the exact date, when it is time to germinate tubers for planting, it is impossible to name. Each region has its own weather conditions that determine the landing date. In the southern part of the country, spring comes earlier, so potatoes are planted there in the middle or at the end of April, seedlings should be prepared in early March.

AT middle lane the globe, heat comes in May - we germinate tubers in April.

Attention. Sprouted tubers give a harvest 10-15 days earlier.

From this we can conclude that we prepare potatoes a month before planting in open ground.

Is it necessary to treat potatoes before sprouting?

It is not difficult to achieve a good harvest, you need to know how to properly process the potatoes before germination in order to protect the tubers from diseases in the future. The most common method for processing potatoes is a magnesium solution.


So, we sort out the potatoes for sowing, put aside spoiled, shriveled, infected tubers. If small sprouts have formed on them, then we cut them off. Magranets is bred in a bucket of water until bright color pink. Portionally lower the seed tubers into the bucket for 10 minutes. Without wiping, lay them out on the floor in one row until completely dry.

Attention. Medium-sized tubers are suitable for planting, it is better to cut large potatoes in half.

Then we proceed to the germination of tubers. To do this, we need a well-ventilated room with daylight, wooden boxes, water, substrate and fertilizers.

1. Put the processed potatoes in water room temperature for 12 hours, this procedure will help return the lost moisture to the potatoes.

2. We put in boxes in two layers. Sprinkle generously with your favorite substrate. Leave alone for 20-30 days.

3. After the specified time, we make an aqueous solution with fertilizers and water the tubers with sprouts.

4. After 5-10 days, we transplant the potatoes into the ground.

A rich and large harvest is guaranteed to you.

How to germinate seed potatoes

There are several ways to germinate seed tubers. Let's analyze each method in more detail.

Germination in sawdust

The time from the beginning of germination to planting is 2 weeks. This method can be called fast.


1. We cover the bottom of the box with sawdust, lay out a layer of potatoes, generously sprinkle with sawdust, again a layer of potatoes and sawdust. We continue the procedure up to 8 layers of potatoes.

2. On the third day, you need to moisten the potato tubers. In 5 liters of water we dilute 100 g of ash per 20 kg of potatoes.
We water every 3-5 days.

light germination

Planting time is 30 days.

1. We choose a room with good daylight and a window.

2. We cover the floor with a film.

3. Lay out the tubers on the film in one layer.

4. Every 5-7 days, turn the potatoes over to the other side.

Sprouting in plastic bags

A good way to germinate potatoes for those who have little space in the house.

1. We shift the tubers into packages of 9-11 pieces.

2. We make small cuts so that the seeds breathe easily.

3. We hang the packages in a lighted place. Turning them over from time to time.

4. Carefully remove the tubers from the bag without damaging the shoots.

bottled

Interesting idea to grow sprouts in bottles. You will be able to control the germination process yourself if you do not have enough seeds to plant.


1. Bottles of 2 or 5 liters are cut into two equal parts.

2. We make holes in the middle of the covers.

3. top screw the lid on, turn it upside down and insert it into the bottom.

4. Pour in the ground.

5. Put one potato.

6. Pour water.

7. We follow the germination.

in pots

We use the method a month before planting.

1. Sprinkle potatoes large quantity wet sawdust. We leave for 10 days.

2. We shift into a clay pot with earth and humus.

3. Add vitamins to the soil for growth.

4. We put the pots on the windowsill.

5. When the air temperature outside warms up to 10-15 degrees, we transfer the pots to the street in the daytime. We take it home for the night.

We told you how to prepare potatoes for planting, you just have to choose the above method and meet the summer season.

By the way, do not forget to watch the video in which the author reveals some secrets of potato processing.