How to grow potatoes quickly and produce high yields?

Potato, also known as potato , is an important food and vegetable crop worldwide. Some areas in the south can plant in January and February, while in the north it is suitable for planting in February to April. Although growing potatoes is relatively simple, there are skills and methods involved, which is why some of the same varieties have high yields and large sizes, while others are relatively low. Let’s learn how to plant potatoes so that they can grow fast and produce high yields.

1. Choose high-quality seeds

High-quality seeds are the key to determining yield. It is recommended to choose virus-free first generation seeds. Although some growers like to save seeds, the saved seeds will gradually degenerate, resulting in a decrease in yield and quality. If you are going to eat the seeds yourself, it is best not to keep them for more than three years; if you are going to sell them, it is recommended to replace the virus-free seeds every year to ensure yield and quality.

2. Germination

Germination acceleration helps early and uniform germination, making management easier. There are two methods of germination: one is to put the whole potato in a bag or carton, place it in an environment of about 20 degrees, avoid direct sunlight, and plant it when the sprout grows to about 1 cm; the other is to cut the seeds first, place the cut potatoes in a warm place, cover them with sand, and then sow them after they germinate. For small potatoes, you can use the nest planting method. Just cut off a little bit at the tail and sow the seeds directly.

3. Planting seeds

When the temperature rises to 7-10 degrees in spring, you can start sowing. First dig a ditch with a row spacing of about 50 cm and a depth of generally 6-10 cm. After digging the trench, if the soil is dry, water it first, then spread organic fertilizer , wood ash and other fertilizers , place the seed sprouts facing upwards in the trench, with a spacing of about 20-30 cm between plants, and finally cover it with 4-6 cm of soil. Be careful not to cover it too thickly to avoid slow emergence of seedlings.

4. Thinning

After all the seedlings have emerged, usually multiple seedlings will grow in one hole. Thinning out the seedlings is a necessary step that will allow the seedlings to grow stronger and produce larger potatoes. When thinning out seedlings, pull out some short seedlings and keep 1-2 strong seedlings. Leave one seedling in areas with good soil fertility and two in areas with poor soil fertility. This will increase yield and quality.

5. Picking buds to control growth

When flower buds appear on potato vines, they should be removed in time, and the growth of seedlings that grow too vigorously should be controlled to avoid the phenomenon of not producing potatoes. Controlling growth can be done when the flower buds first appear or when the ridges are closed. Use 100 grams of potassium dihydrogen phosphate mixed with 30 kilograms of water for spraying, and the effect is significant.

6. Add bulking fertilizer at the right time

When potatoes enter the critical growth period, the demand for potash fertilizers increases significantly, and other types of fertilizers are also needed to support their overall development. At this time, timely supplementation of fertilizers is essential to promote the growth of potatoes and the enlargement of tubers. Recommended fertilizer combinations include potassium fertilizer and nitrogen fertilizer, such as a mixture of potassium sulfate and urea, or used in combination with decomposed organic fertilizer, fermented bean cake, human feces and urine, etc. The best time to apply fertilizer is when the potatoes begin to form flower buds. Sprinkle the fertilizer evenly around the roots of the plants and bury it in the soil by cultivating the soil.

7. Carry out soil cultivation in time

Soil cultivation is an important measure to increase potato yield, because the development of potatoes and the expansion of tubers mainly occur in the soil surface. If soil is not added, it will not only affect the expansion of the tubers, but may also cause the potatoes to turn green, which will reduce yield and quality. Therefore, when the potato plants grow to the stage close to the ridge closing stage, that is, when the ground between two rows of plants is almost covered, soil cultivation should be carried out in combination with fertilization. When cultivating the soil, try to thicken the soil layer as much as possible, which will help improve the yield and quality of potatoes.

8. Importance of foliar fertilization

In addition to basic fertilizers and top dressing, foliar fertilization is also indispensable in the growth process of potatoes. Foliar fertilization helps control excessive plant growth, prevent premature aging, and promote the enlargement of tubers. The best time for foliar fertilization is during the flowering period of potatoes. Use 100 grams of potassium dihydrogen phosphate and 8 ml of 0.01% brassinolide or 10-15 grams of boron fertilizer, spray once every 10 days or so, for two consecutive times, and dilute it with a 30-jin bucket of water. This method of fertilization can effectively improve the growth quality and final yield of potatoes.

In addition, during the management process, attention should be paid to fertilizer and water management, especially during the tuber formation period, when the application of potassium fertilizer needs to be increased. Apply appropriate amount of potassium fertilizer when cultivating the soil and spray it on the leaves. Water according to soil moisture, keep the soil moist, but stop watering a week before harvest. As long as the above points are done well, high potato yield will not be a problem.