No matter how unruffled the outside of a Solanum tuberosum , the tuber always has little indentations . These are the fleck from which the new stems will sprout and grow . In social club to plant potatoes decently , you need to understand how the eyes affect set success . The canonical rule is no optic , no Solanum tuberosum industrial plant .
About Potato Eyes
Potato eyes may also be yell emergence points or buds . When first harvest , they may look like petite bumps or modest indentations . After a dormant period , the eye will begin to send upsprouts . potato store in warm condition sprout earlier and more readily than those in coolheaded store . As the sprout turn , roots form at the junction between the sprout and the eye .
Choosing Potato Varieties
No matter what potato variety you choose , it will have heart . Other than that , your potatoes might be large , small , oval or finger - forge , reddish , blanched , disconsolate , scandalmongering or purple . Here are some possibilities :
Whole Potatoes
little whole Irish potato are often have intercourse asseedpotatoes . They are normally pocket-size than a small hen ’s egg , so they are planted as is . A potato this size may still have up to six to eight eye . you could also institute bombastic potatoes intact , but it ’s a waste product , as a fist - sized potato might be large enough to originate half a twelve new plant .
Cut Potatoes
Most nurseryman works larger Solanum tuberosum instead of or in addition to seed potatoes . The potatoes are cut into chunks of any size . The key is that each glob should contain at least two eyes . After you cut them , allow them to dry in a warm dark seat for a few days . This result in a “ callus ” over the cut area that helps protect the potato from soil - borne disease .
Chitting Potatoes
Although it is not absolutely necessary , many gardener chit their potatoes . Chitting simply means appropriate the white potato vine to begin shoot . One advantage of chitting is that you cognize you ’re constitute a white potato vine that has already develop sprout . you’re able to chit cum potatoes or tailor up whole potatoes . In the latter case , it ’s better to chit them before cutting them up .
Planting Potatoes
Potatoes need prolific , well - enfeeble soil in full sun . Many gardenersplantthem in a trench about eight inches deep . This makes it soft to hill them – cover them with territory – to promote tuber maturation and protect the tubers from sunlight . you could also institute them in private holes or on ridges . When the sprout are about six inches high , cover two thirds of the stems with ground . Repeat at least once .
