What are the precautions for growing potatoes?
Potatoes are grown over a very wide area in our country, and they are also one of the more important food crops in the world, with high nutritional value, and the nutrients in them are very easily absorbed by the human body. The market is also very affordable, and they have a strong ability to adapt to the environment, so they are relatively simple to grow. However, some growers report that the quality and yield of the potatoes they grow are not high, and that is because there are many things they did not pay attention to when growing them. Let's take a look together below.
1. Time
The climate difference between the north and south of our country is relatively large, so there will also be certain differences in the time for growing potatoes, but it is generally in the autumn and winter of each year, that is, around October to December for planting. However, with current growing techniques and technological development, in many places potatoes can basically be grown all year round. Still, judging from the growth habits of potatoes, it is best to sow early at the appropriate time, otherwise it will affect the growth and development of the potatoes.
2. Sprouting
About half a month before sowing, we should place the selected potato seed potatoes in a place with a certain amount of light to sprout, and strictly avoid direct sunlight. Keep the temperature of the sprouting place at around 15 to 20 degrees. If there is a cellar, they can be placed directly in the cellar to sprout, because the temperature in the cellar is relatively higher. The sprouted buds are best at around 0.2 cm, and must not exceed 0.5 cm, otherwise the buds are very easily damaged when cutting the pieces.
3. Cutting
Cutting potatoes into pieces is not done by cutting randomly. We must ensure that each potato piece has two to three buds, so as to ensure its emergence rate. Generally, we cut the pieces one day before sowing. When conditions allow, one potato can generally be cut into at most four pieces, while also ensuring that the buds of the potatoes are not damaged, and disinfecting with alcohol.
4. Sowing
The main things to pay attention to when sowing are the planting depth and planting density of the potato pieces. Generally, the planting depth is best at around 15 cm. With the buds facing upward, plant the potato pieces at a spacing of 60 to 70 cm per row and 25 to 30 cm per plant, then cover with a layer of thin soil, and at the same time cover with a layer of agricultural film on top for insulation and to promote sprouting.
5. Temperature
Potatoes have requirements for growing temperature. The most suitable temperature for potato growth is between 15 and 20 degrees, and they can generally germinate and grow normally at around 5 to 8 degrees. However, the temperature for the growth of potato stems and leaves and for the flowering period generally needs to reach between 18 and 25 degrees, and the nighttime temperature also needs to be around 12 to 15 degrees. The temperature difference between day and night cannot be too large, so we should have a general understanding of the field temperature and carry out scientific management.
6. Fertilizer and water
The fertilizer most needed for potato growth is potassium fertilizer, then nitrogen fertilizer, and finally phosphorus fertilizer. However, before applying chemical fertilizer, it is best to first apply some farmyard manure or organic fertilizer. In this way, the soil's moisture retention and fertilizer retention effects as well as the soil structure can all be improved to a certain extent, thereby promoting potato growth. At the same time, we should pay attention to water management. Potatoes need a large amount of water during their growth period and flowering period, but the water should not be too much, otherwise it will cause soil compaction, thereby affecting the growth of the potato's underground tubers.
7. Hilling
During the growth of potatoes, hilling and loosening the soil are very important, because for its tubers to expand, the underground soil must be relatively loose, and the soil permeability must be relatively good, while its ability to absorb nutrients must also be relatively strong. Therefore, at least four to five hillings and loosenings of the soil are needed throughout its entire growth period. Only in this way will the tubers of the grown potatoes be relatively plump.