It often happens that potatoes begin to germinate undesirably. Whether these tubers are still edible depends on the extent of green areas and the size of the shoots. In potato cultivation, the rhizomes are specifically encouraged to germinate.
Potatoes often germinate unintentionally
Unintentionally sprouting potatoes
Like other nightshades, potatoes contain the chemical compound solanine. This plant substance is a bitter-tasting glycoalkaloid that protects plants from predators in nature. Even fresh potatoes have the substance. The concentration is a maximum of 100 milligrams per kilogram, so consumption is considered harmless.
Are the tubers edible?
During the germination process, the concentration of the slightly toxic element increases. This process protects the potato from rotting. If tubers are damaged by pressure or frost, the solanine content also increases. Such specimens can still be eaten under the following conditions:
- Shoots are less than an inch long
- green spots are very small and not spread out over a large area
- Potatoes are generously peeled
Possible complaints
If an adult consumes more than 200 milligrams of solanine, the first symptoms such as drowsiness and sensitivity to touch may occur. With continued intake, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea occur. In the worst case, the affected person suffers from inflammation, fever and cardiac arrhythmia.
avoid germination
If you store potatoes in the kitchen, sooner or later shoots will form. Storage at cool temperatures, which range between three and five degrees Celsius, is ideal. The air should be dry. Dark conditions also protect against the formation of sprouts.
Pre-germinate potatoes in a targeted manner
If you want to grow potatoes in the garden, pre-germination is recommended. The more shoots a tuber develops, the larger the later harvest. The plants have a head start in growth and are more resistant to potato blight, wireworm or root killer disease.
germination without soil
The germination process should start about six to eight weeks before the planned planting date. If you want to pre-germinate early potatoes, start in February. The pre-germination of late-ripening varieties takes place from March. Place strong and undamaged potatoes in fruit crates or egg cartons and place the sprouting container in a bright place with temperatures below 15 degrees and high humidity
tips
If some tubers do not want to germinate, you can subject them to a temperature shock. Place the container in a room with a temperature of 20 degrees for a short time.
germination in the substrate
Fill a planter with a mixture of two parts compost and one part fine sand. Press the potatoes into the soil so that one half sticks out. The substrate should be sprayed regularly with water. The tubers remain in the container until the planting date, so that strong young plants develop. The thermometer should not rise above 15 degrees.