Potatoes are one of the most common vegetables in our vegetable garden. Few families can be found where they do not use this culture almost daily. As a result, many owners of at least small areas prefer to grow a nutritious vegetable. And that the most crucial stage - planting - was at the proper level, the planting holes should be lowered already sprouted tubers. But how to guess with the most suitable at times? So, we will tell you how to calculate the time for germination of potatoes before planting.
How to choose the optimal time for potato germination?
Germination is the preliminary preparation of tubers, in which various biological processes are triggered, as a result of which sprouts appear and root rudiments appear. This is a kind of start, thanks to which the potatoes grow faster, and, accordingly, you can wait for the harvest sooner.
As for the time when to pull out potatoes for germination, it can not be called universally suitable. Basically, the definition of timing depends on the climatic conditions of the area. In the southern regions, where frosts end, and the heat comes early, the planting of potatoes occurs quite early - already in April. Accordingly, the time when it is necessary to lay out the potatoes for germination, is calculated before. So, for example, to plant potatoes in the open ground in the middle of April, tubers should be put up for germination no later than mid-March, and even at the very beginning of the month.
In the middle zone, where the spring heat is already stable not earlier than May, the tubers are planted in the second half of the last month, and even in early June. It is clear, the time when it is already possible to take out potatoes from the cellar for germination, comes a little later. The best time for this is the beginning or the middle of April.
What does the timing of potato germination depend on?
In general, the average period during which the vegetable tubers acquire good sprouts is 30 days. In general, the duration of this period may decrease or increase, depending on the conditions under which germination takes place. So, for example, if the boxes with the planting material are placed in a light, uncoated space at a temperature of 11 degrees, sprouting will last about 20-23 days. If you set the temperature to about 12-16 degrees, sprouting will last only 14-20 days, not more. The temperature of 17-18 degrees shortens the appearance of sprouts up to 12-14 days.
Of course, in the light of the tubers will appear a greenish coating, characteristic for the manifestation of melatonin. For potatoes intended for food, this is unacceptable. But for potatoes as a planting stock, there is nothing terrible. It is important to turn each tuber gently from time to time, so that each side of it receives the right amount of light.
Unfortunately, not all gardeners have the opportunity to prepare potatoes for planting in a bright room. In this case, the tubers
The main thing is to maintain a suitable temperature regime. The time for germination of potatoes in the dark before planting as a whole lasts up to 40 days, if the procedure takes place at a temperature of 11 degrees. If the room is 12-14 degrees, this period is shortened to 25-30 days. Setting the temperature in the range of 17-18 degrees gives potatoes the opportunity to grow sprouts for 20-25 days.