How long is the growing cycle of potatoes?

Introduction to potato growth

Potatoes prefer cool weather and like to grow in low temperature environments. The formation and growth of their underground tubers require a cool, moist, loose and breathable soil environment.

The main potato producing areas in my country are the southwest, Inner Mongolia, northwest and northeast regions, among which Dingxi City, Gansu Province has become one of the best potato growing areas in the world.

Potato growth cycle

The suitable growth temperature for potato tubers to form and swell is 17~20℃. The tubers stop growing at 30℃. The low temperature of 0℃ can cause varying degrees of damage to seedlings, mature plants and tubers in storage. It takes about 80 days for early-maturing varieties and about 120 days for late-maturing varieties.

Potato growth rate

The entire growth process of potato can be divided into six periods: dormancy period, germination period, seedling period, plant growth period, tuber period and maturity period.

Ten days after the potato seedlings emerge from the soil, runners grow from the base. Generally, 20 days after emergence, the underground runners grow out and grow horizontally. About a month after emergence, the plants begin to bud, and about 15 days after budding, they begin to bloom. The growth of stems and leaves enters a vigorous period, and the leaf area increases rapidly.

Potato growth cycle management

Under normal circumstances, potatoes can easily reach a yield of 2,000 kilograms per mu. If potatoes are given suitable land and scientific management conditions, their yield can reach 5,000 kilograms per mu or more.

Temperature management: The optimum temperature for potato stem and leaf growth is between 17-21°C, the optimum temperature for tuber formation and development is between 17-19°C, and the optimum temperature for flowering is between 15-17°C.

Fertilization management: When planting potatoes, the general principle of fertilization is "organic fertilizer as the main, chemical fertilizer as the auxiliary, heavy application of base fertilizer, early application of topdressing". The most water and fertilizer are needed during the flowering period.