How should potatoes be managed after they enter the bulking stage?
Everyone has probably eaten potatoes. Potatoes are a tuber vegetable that is very good for human growth. They contain very rich nutrients and are very popular in the market. Although the current market price is not high, they have a huge “fan base”. So they are cultivated all over our country. Growing potatoes requires different management at each growth stage. What I want to talk about today is how to manage potatoes during the bulking stage. Let's take a look below!
1. Topdressing
The entire growth period of potatoes has a relatively high demand for nutrients, especially during the bulking stage, and the demand for potassium fertilizer is relatively high. When fertilizing, we should base it on the growth condition of the potatoes and carry it out together with the loosening of the soil to improve soil permeability and fertility. After fertilizing, cover the soil promptly to prevent fertilizer from burning the roots.
2. Loosening the soil
Loosening the soil is necessary work we must do. When loosening the soil, be careful not to damage the plastic film. The main purpose of loosening the soil is to promote root establishment, and to make it easier for water and topdressing to penetrate, improving the soil's absorption capacity. The plants will grow more robustly, which can effectively help potatoes bulk up better and improve the commercial value of the potatoes.
3. Watering
During the potato bulking stage, watering work should be done well, but be careful to use small droplets for drip irrigation and absolutely avoid heavy watering. Prevent the impact of the water from being too strong and causing damage to the plant roots. The bulking stage is when potatoes have their greatest water demand, but you should also pay attention to the amount of watering and not water too much. During rainy weather, drain excess accumulated water promptly, otherwise it will cause root rot and fruit rot.
4. Weeding
Weeding work is very important, because weeds can have a relatively large impact on plant growth. If there are too many weeds in the field, they will compete with potatoes for nutrients and water, especially during the bulking stage. Too many weeds take away growth nutrients, causing bulking to be hindered and reducing potato quality. When weeding, try to pull the weeds out by the roots to prevent secondary growth.
5. Pinching off buds
During the potato bulking stage, pay attention to the number of flower buds on the plants, keeping a small number or pinching them all off. Because flower bud blooming and growth require a large amount of nutrients. If the buds are not pinched off in time, they will compete for nutrients during tuber bulking, causing tuber bulking to be hindered. Therefore, pinching off buds can promote the transfer of nutrients to the tubers, increase the speed of tuber bulking, and enhance quality.
6. Hilling
From planting potatoes to final maturity, hilling work should be done at least twice, and each hilling is during the bulking stage. The first time is when the stems and vines are bulking, and the second time is when the tubers are bulking. Each hilling height is 3-5 cm. The main purpose of hilling is to prevent the tubers from being exposed above the ground after bulking, which would affect later growth.
The above are the management methods during the potato bulking stage. In fact, there is also pest and disease control, but pest and disease control is work that must be done well throughout the entire growth period, so I did not go into detail. Pay attention to observing the basic condition of the plants. If abnormal conditions appear, inspect them promptly and take corresponding measures. Only by doing a good job in pest and disease control can potatoes grow better and yields be increased.