Potatoes are the most common vegetables in life. They are rich in nutrients. They are one of the most popular vegetables and a common food on peoples tables. They can be used to make a variety of delicious dishes. In fact, the cultivation time of soil potatoes is relatively short, about 2 to 3 months. It is a good vegetable that can be grown on the balcony. If planted, it will survive easily, so it is recommended for those who want to take on the challenge this spring. Planting potatoes is a good choice for those who plant balcony vegetable gardens. Below, the editor of the production department will introduce to you the planting soil, growing environment, and key points for selecting varieties for potatoes! Let’s learn together.
Basic information about potatoes
| Chinese name | Potatoes |
|---|---|
| Difficulty in cultivation | Friendly |
| Growth cycle | About 90 days |
| Main diseases | Blight |
In this article, I will introduce the key points of potato cultivation to those who want to grow potatoes on the balcony.
1: Space required for potato cultivation
The required capacity of the potato planting tank is about 45 liters, which is most suitable. You can also use rice bags, cultivation soil bags, etc. for planting. However, if it is a bag, drill a hole in the bottom of the bag to improve drainage.
2: Soil requirements for potato planting
It is recommended to use commercially available vegetable culture soil
It is recommended to use commercially available vegetable culture soil. Potatoes hate moisture, so choose a soil that drains well.
In addition, using "base fertilizer" cultivation soil that has been mixed with fertilizer is more conducive to potato growth than adding fertilizer later. If you need to add fertilizer to the soil, it is recommended to mix 20 grams of chemical fertilizer into 10 liters of soil.
3: Potato growth environment
Planting time
Late February to early March is the standard for spring planting. Potatoes have little resistance to humidity, and it is a good time to harvest them before entering the rainy season, because potatoes may rot during the rainy season. If planted in autumn, in late August - early September, harvest can be carried out between November and December of the same year.
Suitable temperature
The optimal growing temperature for potatoes is 15 to 24°C. Growth is best at temperatures around 20°C.
Potatoes begin to form at around 17°C and will not form at temperatures above 30°C. It is recommended to place the planting trough in a sunny and ventilated place.
4: Purchase professional seed potatoes
In order to grow potatoes, you must first prepare seed potatoes. When breeding with edible potatoes, it is possible to fail to harvest due to poor growth or due to viral diseases. If you are a beginner, buy special seed potatoes for planting at a garden or nursery store.
5: Varieties suitable for beginners
There are hundreds of varieties of potatoes in their place of origin, and new varieties are constantly being cultivated around the world. Currently, there are thousands of varieties in the world. Generally, the "bud eyes" on the tubers are cut and sown. If planted from seeds, they will soon mutate, so it is very easy for new varieties to appear.
The ones I often eat are: Holland No. 7, Holland No. 15, Holland No. 16, Luyin No. 1, Golden Potato King No. 1, purple sweet potato, red potato, Black Beauty Potato, Zhongshu No. 5...
After about three or four weeks, the potatoes have basically sprouted. The average variety of potatoes will grow 3 to 5 new sprouts. Leaves begin to grow a few days after germination.
When the new shoots grow to about 10cm high, you need to "thin the shoots" (also called thinning). Just keep 2 new shoots. If the buds are not thinned, several buds will grow together and produce many small potatoes, but they will not grow very big.
Extended reading:
1. How to grow beans. Illustrated tutorial on growing beans and peas
2. Illustrated tutorial on growing cabbage: How to grow cabbage
3. How to grow sunflowers yourself. Illustrated tutorial on growing sunflowers
4. Rose planting tutorial: How to grow roses
5. How to germinate grains and plant sprouts picture tutorial
