An important factor for the good growth of potatoes is pre-germination. While some think potatoes don't need to be pre-germinated, others swear by it. What does pre-germinating the potatoes do?

benefits

Advantage 1: Higher yields can be achieved with pre-germinated potatoes.

Advantage 2: Pre-germination makes the potato ready for harvest faster. After sowing, the potato can immediately put forward its shoots, which gives it a head start in growth of about two weeks.

Pre-germinated tubers will continue to sprout even in colder soil, while potatoes that have not been pre-germinated need warm soil to develop their sprouts.

Advantage 3: The growth advantage makes the tubers less susceptible to disease. Their shell hardens faster, making it harder for invaders like wireworms and fungi. If the late blight sets in, the tubers are more robust and some are already ready for harvest.

Which potatoes are suitable for pre-germination?

  • Commercial seed potatoes
  • Seed potatoes from our own harvest from the previous year
  • if table potatoes are to be used, then only use healthy, untreated tubers
  • Seed potatoes must always be intact

Proper storage until pre-germination

Seed potatoes, even bought ones, must be stored in the dark so that they do not sprout prematurely. Seed potatoes from your own harvest should be kept dry, dark and cool until early spring, preferably at temperatures between 4 and 8 degrees Celsius.

This is how germination works

Start growing about 4 weeks before sowing. You can plant early potatoes from February, mid-early and late varieties from March.

You lay the potatoes next to each other in a fruit box and put them in a bright, dry place with temperatures of 10 to 14 degrees Celsius. The potatoes should develop firm shoots about 1 cm long, 4 to 6 are sufficient.

If you like, you can also fill the fruit box with potting soil and ripening compost. As an alternative to the fruit box, you can use egg cartons.

tips and tricks

Not all potatoes develop sprouts when they are pulled. You should sort these out before planting, as they will then probably no longer sprout even in cooler and darker soil.

Category:

Vegetable garden