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Should you pick off potato flowers: what gardeners say
26.05.2023 19:47
Until now, many summer residents believe that if you pick off potato flowers in time, you can significantly increase the yield of tubers and their quality.
No one is forcing you to do this, just as no one can forbid you. But it would still be useful to find out: isn't this a waste of time and effort?
Expert of the online publication BelNovosti, scientist-agronomist, landscape designer Anastasia Kovrizhnykh shared several details that will help you decide on this issue.
Why do they cut it off?
There is an opinion that flowers require additional nutrition, and after potato seeds begin to ripen, the plant spends energy not on the formation of tubers, but on seeds.
It is often added that flowers provide little benefit to the plant.
That's why in some farms it is customary to pluck them.
This way you can avoid the emergence and maturation of seeds, which also does not harm the plant.
Why don't they cut it off?
Opponents of this concept believe that flowers on potatoes should not be picked.
The thing is that they attract pollinating insects.
It is also believed that humans should not interfere with the plant's development cycle.
There is no evidence that more large tubers grow after flower picking.
In addition, preserving flowers will allow you to collect high-quality seed material that can be used for planting in the future and preserving the varietal qualities of the crop.
