Content
Growing potatoes under film makes it possible to get an early crop harvest. However, for the idea to be successful, it is necessary to take into account some features of the process. It is also important to choose the right varieties with a short growing season. Therefore, you need to familiarize yourself with the basic subtleties of this method of growing crops in order to avoid unpleasant surprises later.
Planting potatoes under film is important for the central and northern regions
Features of planting potatoes under film
The essence of this method is to provide seedlings with optimal conditions for development at the initial stage of growth and protect them from unfavorable external factors. This makes it possible to significantly speed up and shorten the growing season. As a result, harvesting can be carried out 3-4 weeks earlier than usual.
For the successful development of potatoes under film, you need to properly prepare the tubers, plant them and provide further care.
Pros and cons of growing early potatoes under film
Planting potatoes under film has advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, before using this growing method, it is necessary to study them.
Planting under film makes it possible to obtain an environmentally friendly product in the shortest possible time
Main advantages:
- metabolic processes in plant tissues are accelerated;
- the growing season is shortened;
- weeds don't grow;
- prevents frost damage to young shoots;
- makes it possible to get an ultra-early harvest;
- minimize the likelihood of damage to bushes by pests.
Flaws:
- not suitable for all varieties;
- with high humidity, the likelihood of rot developing in tubers increases;
- It is inconvenient to water potatoes under the film.
Potato varieties for growing under film
For planting crops under film, only early ripening varieties can be used. This makes it possible to get a harvest 55-60 days after planting. Middle and late species are not recommended for use with this method of cultivation, since they require a longer growing season to accumulate nutritional components in the tubers.
Potato varieties that are suitable for early planting in spring under film:
- Ariel. Ultra early potatoes of Dutch selection. Characterized by high productivity. The tubers are oval, slightly elongated, white. The peel is rough with superficial eyes. Ariel potatoes retain their consumer qualities for 3.5 months.
Ariel potatoes are suitable for preparing first and second courses
- Timo.An unpretentious Finnish variety that is undemanding to the composition of the soil and easily tolerates temperature changes. However, it is not very susceptible to the Colorado potato beetle, since its leaves become hard over time. Timo's tubers are large and light yellow in color. Their skin is thin and sensitive to mechanical damage.
The Timo variety begins to grow at a temperature of +10 °C
- Riviera. An ultra-early Dutch table variety, characterized by a high level of drought resistance. Riviera tubers are oval-shaped and light yellow in color. The taste is excellent. The variety is susceptible to scab.
Riviera is absolutely resistant to viruses
- Izora. Russian table variety, which is characterized by short-oval white tubers. It is resistant to mechanical damage. The average weight of tubers is 86-88 g. The yield is stable, about 2.4-3.7 kg per 1 sq. m. It is resistant to cancer, but is affected by late blight.
The starch content in Izora tubers is 11.7-14.1%
Planting potatoes under black film
How successful will be the cultivation of early potatoes under film directly depends on the preparation of planting material and site, choice of location, adherence to deadlines and planting scheme. Therefore, before starting the procedure, it is recommended to first familiarize yourself with the features of its implementation.
Tuber preparation
Before planting potatoes under film, you must first select and prepare the tubers. Large potatoes with a high level of vital potential are suitable for growing using this method. In this case, they will be able to quickly grow, forming strong and tall bushes with a large number of stems and tubers.
Before planting, they need to be prepared in order to activate growth processes and shorten the growing season. To do this, you can use light germination in a humid environment. In the first case, it is recommended to bring the tubers into a bright room with a temperature of +12-15 °C 35-40 days before planting and spread them out in one layer. They need to be turned over periodically until sprouts appear.
In the second case, the tubers must be placed in boxes and sprinkled with wet peat, humus or sawdust. Recommended maintenance regime is +15-20 °C for 15-20 days. By the time of planting, the length of the sprouts will be 2-3 cm. They are very fragile, so it is recommended to plant the tubers carefully.
Treatment of tubers with mineral fertilizers two days before planting under film significantly speeds up the emergence of seedlings. To do this, you need to prepare a nutrient solution at the rate of 40 g of urea, superphosphate and potassium sulfide per bucket of water. The resulting mixture should be sprayed evenly over the tubers and allowed to dry. Recommended consumption is 200 g per 1 kg of potatoes.
Selecting a location
The method of growing potatoes under film is widely used by farmers and amateur gardeners in order to obtain early produce not only for their family, but also for further sale. To speed up the germination process, it is recommended to choose a well-lit bed throughout the day on the south side of the site, as this ensures that the soil warms up quickly in the spring.
The place should be protected from cold gusts of wind
Soil preparation
For planting crops under film, the best option is loamy soil or drained peat bog with a neutral acidity level. In the fall, the bed needs to be dug up to the depth of a spade and 8 kg of organic matter added per 1 sq. m. m. This will not only provide the potatoes with nutritional components, but also improve air exchange in the soil.
In early spring, it is necessary to loosen the soil and add 30 g of ammonium nitrate and superphosphate, as well as 25 g of potassium sulfide per 1 sq. m. m. After this, the area must be carefully leveled.
Landing dates
You can start planting potatoes under film at the end of March, at the beginning of April. In this case, it is necessary that the soil warms up to +5 ° C to a depth of 6 cm. If the weather conditions do not match, the procedure should be postponed for 7-10 days.
Planting scheme
It is recommended to plant potatoes in rows to a depth of 8 cm. In this case, the distance between the tubers should be 25-30 cm so that they can fully develop and not compete for moisture and nutritional components. And between the rows it is necessary to maintain a distance of 60-70 cm. How to properly plant potatoes under film is shown in the video:
Covering with film after planting
With this method of growing early potatoes, you can use a frame or do without it. In the first case, you need to install metal or plastic arcs 60-80 cm high, and then cover with film and fix it at the edges. When growing without frames, the canvas must be laid on top of the soil after planting the crop without fixation, so as not to damage the young shoots.
Caring for potatoes under film
After planting and before the emergence of seedlings, it is not recommended to remove the film from the area.And when sprouts appear from the soil and the temperature rises above +17-20 ° C, you need to start turning back the edges of the canvas to ventilate them.
When the shoots grow to a height of 10-15 cm, it is necessary to make holes in the film for the full development of the bushes. It is also recommended to water when the top layer of soil dries out. There is no need to hill up the bushes or weed them.
When planting potatoes under film, it is necessary to fertilize in a timely manner. It is recommended to apply fertilizer for the first time during the period of active growth of shoots. At this time, you can use urea at the rate of 30 g per 10 liters of water. The second and third feedings are recommended at the stage of formation of inflorescences and after they wither. During these periods, you need to use 30 g of superphosphate and 25 g of potassium sulfate per bucket of water.
Under each bush you need to pour 0.5 liters of nutrient solution
Conclusion
Growing potatoes under film makes it possible to get an early crop harvest in May. However, it is necessary to calculate in advance the volume of products required, since the grown crop is not suitable for long-term saving. In addition, early potatoes are much inferior in nutritional value to middle and late varieties.
