Potato from sprouts, planting potatoes with sprouts - this technology of growing potatoes, it is also called a tubless technology, has been known for a very long time. She is already a hundred years old, and maybe even more. These methods were used when they wanted to quickly propagate a new valuable variety. To do this, sprouts were separated from the tuber, planted in insulated soil - grown as seedlings of vegetables, for example, cabbage, tomatoes, etc.
Since the last century, similar experiments have been carried out, which showed that yields are not lower than when planted with tubers. A new crop of potatoes grown from sprouts is no less than when planted in the usual tuberous way.
Let's look at the features of this method of growing potatoes from sprouts. How does the propagation of potatoes by sprouts through seedlings differ from another method - growing from the eyes?
Potato sprouts are a tubless way to breed. How to grow potatoes from sprouts?
Sprouts are of two types: shadow and light. Shadow sprouts are sprouts grown during storage in a dark but warm potato storage, for example, in the basement. Illuminants receive, keeping tubers in the light, but not the open sun. Light sprouts are usually grown as seedlings in special beds.
Propagation by shadow shoots is the simplest and cheapest method. It can be used successfully when you do not have planting material. As a rule, shadow shoots are very tender. They deteriorate very quickly under the influence of light and heat.
If you use them as planting stock, then it is best to plant them immediately after separation from the mother tubers. I advise you to use shadow potato sprouts 5-8 cm long, as they are easier to manipulate during planting.
But accidental breakdowns of light shoots during planting are almost excluded. They are stronger. Therefore, the method of growing potatoes from light sprouts is more productive. In general, no matter which method you choose from these two: there is not much seed needed for this.
Preparing potatoes for planting in this way begins a month and a half before planting seedlings in the ground at a permanent place. Begin by selecting seed tubers. For this purpose, I advise you to select uterine tubers from mid-season varieties. Early ripe potato varieties are not so suitable for these purposes, because they are less productive due to their early ripening properties.
Of course, labor costs when growing potatoes from sprouts require more than when growing tubers. But you will quickly pay back all your efforts and expenses with a big saving of seed material.
I advise you to make a box equal to the length of your windowsill about a month before planting. It is best to set it on the south side. But if this is not possible, then you will have to resort to additional lighting. Many witty gardeners use a mirror to grow seedlings. For these purposes, any reflective material, such as foil, is suitable. The dimensions of the box, of course, are approximate, it all depends on your specific conditions: height - 14-15 cm, width - 20-25 cm wider than the window sill. Cover the bottom of the box with a layer of sand: the thickness of the layer is 2.5-3 cm.
On paper, place paper or peat cups tightly together. Fill them 90% with nutritious soil: 1 part of the earth (mole can be), 0.5 - humus, 3 parts of sand. The remaining 10% of the volume of the cup fill with sand. Sand protects the soil from drying out, crusting.
Use a solution of manganese, a solution of boric acid or a solution of copper sulfate (1/5 part of the solution per 10 liters of water) to water the soil in cups. Water the cups well. Which solution to choose, decide for yourself: what is more accessible to you. At first, only cups in which tubers will be planted will be occupied with seed. Do not forget to water temporarily empty glasses. You can alternate solutions for irrigation.
Use the first row of cups in the drawer, which is closer to the window, for planting seed tubers. In these cups, make small holes, plant potatoes, deepening them into the soil by ¾ length. But when the shoots on these tubers reach a length of 5-7 cm, break them off and plant them on ¾ of their length in cups of other rows: the second and third. The pits in these cups can be made with a pencil. I advise you to water twice a week, but make sure that the soil in the cups does not dry out. It should be wet all the time.
It is possible to break off sprouts for rooting 2-3 times, and maybe more, everything will depend on the state of their growth.
When they take root, they can be planted in soil in a permanent place. Before that, rooted potato sprouts are abundantly watered. Usually sprouts form a fairly dense fibrous root system. I advise you to dip their roots in a thick soil mixture of 3 parts of clay, 1 part of cow or other litter. Pay attention to the density of the mixture: the roots of the sprout should be moistened with the mixture, and not washed with it. The resulting seedlings are planted more often and denser than when planting tubers of seed potatoes. 65 cm are left between the rows. The distance in the row should be 20-30 cm. But this will depend, firstly, on the variety of potatoes, and secondly, on the number of sprouts in one hole.
Potato seedlings obtained from sprouts should be regularly fed. This is very important because she does not receive additional nutrients from the mother tuber. When the potato shoots reach a height of 10-18 cm, they must be fed with a solution of ash (1 glass of ash per 10 liters of water). I advise you not to water from above, but only under the roots. After rain, potatoes should be spud. The value of hilling in dry weather is reduced. In this case, one can limit oneself only to loosening. Try to remove all weeds more carefully so that they do not deprive your potatoes of moisture. After 2-3 weeks, feed the potato bushes again, spud them a second time.
With the technology of growing potatoes from sprouts - seedlings - by the beginning of July you can get a good harvest. Mid-season green tops, for example, Ditt, Lorch, etc. can be used to obtain a second crop. For these purposes, it is best to harvest potatoes after rain in the afternoon. Plant the tops with roots back in well-spilled, manicured holes. Naturally, for this purpose, you need to select only healthy green tops with an undisturbed root system.
Planting potatoes with sprouts, technology for growing potatoes from sprouts accelerates the propagation of any variety. This method significantly rejuvenates any variety. Landing dates can be recommended as follows: in the south of the Kuban - from May 3, in the north of the region - from May 10, but you know yourself: year after year is not necessary, so proceed from specific weather conditions.