Storage rules for seed potatoes: instructions for preparing seeds and optimal conditions

Potatoes are a vegetable that is grown in almost every household and summer cottage. To obtain a high yield, high-quality planting material is required. Therefore, it is important to correctly select and prepare seeds, create optimal conditions for them. storageso that the sowing and yielding qualities of the vegetable crop are not affected.

Rules and conditions for storing seed

Experts recommend adhering to these rules when storing seed potatoes:

1. Dry well and prepare tubers.
2. Before laying, gradually reduce the temperature at the place of drying.
3. In late February or early spring, warm up the seeds at a temperature of + 14 ... + 17 ° C, so that they awaken after vegetative rest.
4. Before planting, sort the tubers again and remove the damaged specimens.

During storage, temperature drops should not be allowed, since this shortens the rest period of the planting material.

Dependence of variety and storage temperature

The choice of the optimal temperature regime depends on the type of plant culture.

Attention! Deviation from the recommended rates increases the loss of seeds during storage.

A decrease in temperature negatively affects seed quality, and an increase leads to sprouting of tubers and the development of diseases.

Seed potato selection rules

It is recommended to select planting material in the summer, when the vegetable crop is still in bloom. Select and celebrate healthy and strong bushes. The tubers of such plants have good heredity. They are larger and resistant to disease.

Selecting potatoes for seeds from under such bushes, they adhere to the following rules:

1. Avoid small tubers, as this contributes to the degeneration of the variety.
2. Plants are chosen, under which about 8-10 tubers have grown (half of them are large).
3. The mass of a seed potato reaches 100 g (the size of a goose egg). If possible, larger planting material is selected.
4. You can not leave potatoes on the seeds, in the bush with which rotten or affected specimens are found. Such a vegetable is infected with a fungal disease.

All selected tubers are carefully examined to exclude damage, rot spots and signs of disease.

What varieties are suitable for long-term storage

Early maturing potato varieties are poorly stored. Such a vegetable quickly becomes lethargic and loses its seed quality.

They lie well throughout the winter and do not germinate until spring such varieties:

1. Gala. It has a spherical shape, light flesh and brown rind. Tuber weight reaches 120 g.
2. Red Scarlett. Bred by Dutch breeders. The tuber is oblong, with a flat surface. The flesh is white, the rind is red. The average tuber weight is 100 g.
3. Nevsky. The potato has a round shape and yellow color. On the cut, a vegetable of a pale cream shade. It grows up to 130 g.
4. Picasso. The representative of the Dutch selection has a yellow peel with burgundy splashes. The potato reaches a weight of 120 g, its flesh is creamy.
5. Zhuravinka. Bred in Belarus. The tuber is large, oval, pink in color. Reaches 160 g.

Preparing seed potatoes for storage

Harvested potatoes should not be stored immediately. The peel of such a vegetable is still thin and not ripe enough. To make it denser and small lesions heal, hold the seed in a well-ventilated place for two weeks.

It is also useful to green the seeds in the light. For this, the tubers are laid out in one layer and periodically turned over. Daylight promotes the accumulation of corned beef in them. This is a poison, so the potato becomes inedible for rodents, and its resistance to disease increases.

Attention! These tubers are unsuitable for human consumption.

After drying and ripening, the seed is carefully examined again, rejecting spoiled specimens. To enhance immunity, seeds are treated with one of the fungicidal preparations. For this purpose, the "Maxim" or a weak solution of copper sulfate is often used.

When preparing the composition, 2 g of the substance is diluted in one bucket of water. After processing, the potatoes are well dried.

Room preparation

With a cold method of storing potatoes in a cellar or basement, it is recommended to pre-disinfect the room. For brick walls, take a lime solution. Use 5 kg of product in 2 buckets of water. To enhance the effect, 100 g of copper sulfate are added to the composition. In its absence, use the industrial preparation "Anti-mold" or similar means.

If the surface is wooden, spraying with a concentrated solution of potassium permanganate or copper sulfate (100 g per 1 liter of water). A tobacco broth gives a good effect. Take 100 g of tobacco powder in 2 liters of water. The earthen floor in the room is sprinkled with lime. Any signs of mold on the walls are removed with a blowtorch.

Other events are also held:

1. The gaps are covered with cement mortar through which rodents can penetrate.
2. Cover the ventilation hole with a metal mesh.
3. Fumigate repository sulfurous smoke.

The most effective way to disinfect a room is used:

1. The ventilation hole is closed in the cellar.
2. A container is placed into which quicklime is poured (2.5 kg per 10 m³).
3. Close the door tightly.
4. After three days, ventilate well.

All work is performed in a respirator.

Temperature range for storing potatoes

When storing seed material, the recommended temperatures are adhered to in order to preserve the seed properties of the vegetable crop and prevent premature germination.

If food tubers are stored under temperature + 1 ... + 3 ° С, then this indicator for seeds may be higher - + 4 ... + 6 ° С. Higher temperatures do not affect their germination and quality.

Container for storing potato seeds

For storage of seed tubers, use:

1. Wooden boxes. They are practical and easy to use. Wood absorbs excess moisture well, and when the humidity decreases, it gives it back. If the container is made of coniferous wood, then it also has disinfecting properties, preventing the appearance of diseases.
2. Plastic boxes with holes. Provide good air ventilation during seed storage. The containers are lightweight and easy to clean.
3. Bags. Burlap is excellent for air permeability and absorbs excess moisture. An alternative option is polypropylene bags, which are durable, resistant to temperature extremes and do not emit harmful substances.
4. Grids. Provides good air circulation.

For storing a large number of seed tubers, a container made of wooden trellises, fastened with a metal frame, is well suited.

How to store potatoes before planting in a cellar or basement

Most gardeners store seed tubers in a cellar or basement. With this method, it is necessary:

1. Maintain the optimum temperature, not allowing it to rise or fall.
2. Provide good ventilation in the room.
3. Keep tubers in a container that is free of air.
4. Do not sprinkle seeds in a thick layer.
5. Regularly sort out the seed material (2 times per winter) in order to timely remove the appearing processes.

To prevent the development of diseases, dry wormwood and rowan leaves are used. They are put in a container at the rate of 1 kg of funds for 50 kg of potatoes.

Reference. To slow down the growth, the seeds are sprinkled with layers of dried mint. For 1 centner of tubers use 0.5 kg of grass.

Storing seed potatoes on site

In order not to carry potatoes home, they are stored on the site:

1. Choose an area with a low groundwater level.
2. They dig a hole about 35 cm deep with sloping sides.
3. The walls are lined with branches and dry grass.
4. Seeds are placed there and insulated with a layer of straw about 30 cm.

A frame made of branches in the form of a hut is installed above the storage, and from above they are additionally covered with dry grass and sprinkled with a layer of earth 10 cm.

Attention! The volume of the closed airspace above the storage facility should be 3 times the volume of the pit itself.

In such conditions, tubers are well stored throughout the winter period. They do not freeze and do not germinate.

Storing potato seeds in an apartment

If it becomes necessary to store seed at home, use a refrigerator. The potatoes are placed in the vegetable compartments. This method is only suitable for small quantities of seeds (6-8 kg). To prevent tubers from sprouting, choose mid-ripening and late-ripening varieties.

Balcony storage

Seed tubers are also placed on the balcony. The potatoes are placed in a wooden container and well insulated with foam plastic and warm blankets. If there is no threat of freezing, bags and nets are often used instead of boxes.

Neighborhood with other vegetables

Potatoes are kept next to radishes and beets. Place vegetables on top. They perfectly absorb moisture and prevent planting material from rotting.

Important! Do not allow potatoes to be adjacent to other vegetables.

Storage errors

The most common mistakes when storing potato seeds include:

1. Failure to comply with the temperature regime, which leads to a deterioration in the seed quality of tubers and their germination.
2. Use of tight containers.
3. Laying damaged and diseased tubers.
4. High humidity and lack of ventilation. Stimulates the appearance of premature sprouts and infection with bacterial rot.
5. Low humidity. The vegetable becomes sluggish and soft.

Useful tips from summer residents

When storing seeds, experienced gardeners advise using plants that emit phytoncides. Put in a container with tubers:

• rowan leaves;
• pine and spruce branches.

Protect well against rot:

• wormwood;
• runny ordinary;
• elder;
• fern.

Dry mint delays tuber germination. Improves storage of potatoes and ginger root. It is put together with the seeds.

Conclusion

To keep seed potatoes of good quality, follow the storage rules. With the correct selection and preparation of seed material, containers for storage and maintaining the optimal temperature and humidity in the room, it is possible to preserve all the seed qualities of the tubers, which, when planted, will give a good harvest.