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Growing potatoes is a fun and rewarding experience for gardeners of all abilities. Whether you’re planting in a small backyard garden or a large farm field, proper preparation of your seed potatoes is essential for a successful crop. Preparing seed potatoes involves a number of key steps, including chitting, cutting and fungicide treatment (optional). In this article we’ll take a closer look at seed potato preparation to help you get the most out of your potato crop. By following these steps, you can help ensure that your potatoes grow healthy and strong, and produce a bumper crop when harvest time comes.
What are seed potatoes?
Seed potatoes are small potatoes used for planting to grow a new crop of potatoes. These potatoes are not necessarily a specific variety, but rather any potato that has been certified as disease-free and is intended for planting. Seed potatoes are usually larger than the potatoes you buy in the supermarket and are specially selected to produce strong, healthy potato plants.
Seed potatoes can be bought from nurseries, garden centres or online seed companies. It’s important to choose seed potatoes that are certified disease-free to prevent the spread of plant diseases. Common potato diseases include bacterial wilt, blackleg and potato virus Y. By choosing certified seed potatoes, you can help ensure that your potato crop stays healthy.
When preparing seed potatoes for planting, it’s important to choose the right size and shape. Seed potatoes should be about the size of a golf ball and have at least one “eye” or bud. The eye is where the new potato plant will sprout from, so it’s important to choose seed potatoes with multiple eyes to ensure a healthy crop.
When to prepare seed potatoes for planting
When to prepare seed potatoes for planting depends on when you plan to plant them. In general, seed potatoes should be prepared for planting about 2-3 weeks before planting. This allows the seed potatoes to go through the chitting process, which helps to stimulate eye growth and prepare them for planting.
The best time to plant seed potatoes depends on your climate and growing zone. In general, seed potatoes should be planted in the spring after the last frost. This is usually between mid-March and early May, depending on where you live. If you’re not sure when the last frost typically occurs in your area, you can check with your local garden centre or cooperative extension service.
It’s important not to plant seed potatoes too early as they can be damaged by frost or cold temperatures. Planting too late can also result in a smaller potato crop, as the plants will not have enough time to mature before the first autumn frost. By preparing your seed potatoes 2-3 weeks before planting, you can ensure that they are ready to go into the ground at the optimum time for your growing zone.
Choosing the right seed potatoes
When preparing seed potatoes for planting, it’s important to choose the right ones to ensure a healthy and bountiful crop. Here are some tips on choosing the right seed potatoes:
- Choose certified seed potatoes: Certified seed potatoes are potatoes that have been inspected and certified as disease-free. It’s important to choose certified seed potatoes to help prevent the spread of plant diseases and ensure a healthy crop.
- Choose the right variety: There are many different varieties of potatoes, each with its own unique flavour and texture. When choosing seed potatoes, consider the variety that best suits your growing conditions and culinary preferences.
- Choose seed potatoes with multiple ‘eyes’: The ‘eye’ of a potato is where the new plant will sprout from. It’s important to choose seed potatoes with multiple eyes to ensure a healthy crop.
- Choose seed potatoes of the right size: Seed potatoes should be about the size of a golf ball. Choosing seed potatoes that are too small can result in a smaller crop, while choosing seed potatoes that are too large can result in overcrowding and poor growth.
- Choose seed potatoes of the right shape: Seed potatoes should be smooth and free of blemishes or bruises. Avoid seed potatoes that are misshapen or have bruises as these can indicate disease or poor quality.
Choosing the right seed potatoes can help ensure a healthy and bountiful potato crop. Take the time to choose certified seed potatoes of the right variety, size and shape with multiple eyes to maximise your chances of success.
Chitting seed potatoes
Chitting is the process of germinating seed potatoes before planting. This process helps to stimulate the growth of the eyes and prepares the seed potatoes for planting. Here’s how to chit seed potatoes:
- Choose seed potatoes with multiple eyes: As mentioned above, it’s important to choose seed potatoes with multiple eyes to ensure healthy growth. Look for seed potatoes with at least 2-3 eyes each.
- Place the seed potatoes in a cool, bright place: To chit seed potatoes, place them in a cool, light place with temperatures between 45-60°F. A bright window sill or an unheated garage will work well.
- Arrange the seed potatoes with the eyes facing up: Place seed potatoes with the eyes facing up in egg cartons or other containers that allow good air circulation. This will help prevent mould and encourage even germination.
- Wait for the sprouts to appear: After a few weeks you should start to see sprouts emerging from the eyes of the seed potatoes. When the sprouts are about ½ inch long, they are ready for planting.
Chitting seed potatoes is a simple and important step in preparing seed potatoes for planting. By chitting your seed potatoes, you can help ensure healthy growth and a bountiful potato crop.
Cutting seed potatoes
Once your seed potatoes have been chitted, it’s time to cut them into pieces for planting. Here’s how to cut seed potatoes:
- Use a clean, sharp knife: It’s important to use a clean, sharp knife to avoid damaging the seed potato. Blunt knives can crush the potato, making it more susceptible to disease.
- Cut seed potatoes into chunks: Cut the chitted seed potatoes into pieces, making sure that each piece has at least one sprout or ‘eye’. Each piece should be about 1-2 inches in size.
- Allow the cut potatoes to dry: After cutting the seed potatoes, leave them to dry for a day or two before planting. This will help prevent rot and encourage healthy growth.
- Spray cut seed potatoes with fungicide (optional): If you are concerned about fungal diseases, you can dust the cut seed potatoes with a powdered fungicide before planting. This can help prevent diseases such as blackleg and scab.
By cutting your seed potatoes into pieces you can maximise your potato crop and increase your chances of success. Make sure you use a clean, sharp knife and cut the seed potatoes into pieces with at least one sprout or ‘eye’. Leave the cut seed potatoes to dry for a day or two before planting and consider spraying them with a fungicide to prevent fungal diseases.
Fungicide treatment of seed potatoes (optional)
Treat seed potatoes with fungicide (optional)
If you are concerned about fungal diseases such as blackleg and scab, you may consider treating your seed potatoes with a fungicide before planting. Here’s how to treat seed potatoes with a fungicide:
- Choose a powder fungicide: There are several powdered fungicides that are safe for use on seed potatoes. Look for a product that is labelled for use on potatoes and is safe for human consumption.
- Spray seed potatoes with fungicide: After cutting the seed potatoes into chunks, dust them with the powdered fungicide. Use a small amount of fungicide and ensure that each piece is covered evenly.
- Allow the treated seed potatoes to dry: After treating seed potatoes with fungicide, allow them to dry for a day or two before planting. This will help to ensure that the fungicide adheres to the seed potatoes and is effective in preventing fungal diseases.
Although treating seed potatoes with a fungicide is optional, it can be a good way to prevent fungal diseases and ensure a healthy potato crop. Make sure you choose a safe, powdered fungicide that is labelled for use on potatoes and allow the treated seed potatoes to dry before planting. By taking these steps, you can help to ensure a bountiful and healthy potato crop.
Conclusion
Preparing seed potatoes is an important step in growing a healthy and bountiful potato crop. Following these steps will help ensure that your seed potatoes are ready for planting and will produce strong, healthy potato plants:
- Choose certified seed potatoes: Choose seed potatoes that are certified disease-free to help prevent the spread of plant diseases.
- Chit seed potatoes: Pre-sprouting seed potatoes to stimulate eye growth and prepare for planting.
- Cut seed potatoes: Cut chitted seed potatoes into pieces with at least one sprout or “eye”.
- Treat seed potatoes with fungicide (optional): Consider treating the seed potatoes with a powdered fungicide to prevent fungal diseases.
- Plant the seed potatoes: Plant the seed potatoes in a sunny location with well-drained soil.
By taking the time to prepare your seed potatoes properly, you can help ensure a healthy and bountiful potato crop. Happy planting!
FAQs
What are seed potatoes?
Seed potatoes are small potatoes that are used for planting to grow a new crop of potatoes. These potatoes are not necessarily a specific variety, but rather any potato that has been certified as disease-free and is meant for planting.
What is chitting seed potatoes?
Chitting is the process of pre-sprouting seed potatoes before planting. This process helps to stimulate the growth of the eyes and prepares the seed potatoes for planting.
Do I need to treat my seed potatoes with fungicide?
Treating seed potatoes with fungicide is optional, but can be a good way to prevent fungal diseases like blackleg and scab. Make sure to choose a safe, powdered fungicide labeled for use on potatoes and let the treated seed potatoes dry before planting.
What size should seed potatoes be cut into?
Seed potatoes should be cut into chunks, with each piece being about 1-2 inches in size. Make sure that each piece has at least one sprout or “eye”.
When is the best time to plant seed potatoes?
The best time to plant seed potatoes will depend on your climate and growing zone. In general, seed potatoes should be planted in the spring after the last frost has passed. This is usually between mid-March and early May, depending on where you live.