True potato seeds are formed on the above-ground part of the plant.
After flowering, small “tomatoes” are formed, inside of which are small seeds.
But is it possible to grow full-fledged potatoes from them and how to do it?
Why Grow Potatoes From Seeds
Since the tuber is a vegetative part of the plant (underground shoot), diseases accumulate in it, which leads to degeneration and a decrease in yield. Sowing seeds is an opportunity to renew the planting material by growing healthy tubers yourself.
Where to get seeds
If "tomatoes" have formed on the potato bush, you can remove them before digging and leave them to ripen in a warm place until December. The ripe fruit will acquire a whitish color and a specific smell.
The seeds are extracted in the same way as in tomatoes. They need to be extracted from the fruit, placed in a container and filled with water. Wait until the liquid ferments, rinse several times with clean water and dry.
If you don’t have your own fruits (they are extremely rare), you can buy seeds in the store.
How to Grow Potatoes from Seeds
The seeds should be sown for seedlings. It is most convenient to do this together with peppers or tomatoes. However, if you are sowing these crops for a greenhouse, then you should not rush with potatoes. This plant, if planted too early in open ground, can die from the cold. It is better to sow at the end of March and plant the seedlings in the garden bed at the beginning of June. If planting is planned for mid-May, take care to cover with film or agrofibre.
Potatoes tolerate transplanting well, so they can be sown immediately in a small container, and then transplanted into a deeper one, deepening the stem by several centimeters.
After planting in the ground, you need to care for it in the same way as for regular potatoes.
What you need to know
- The seeds are very small, so they need to be spread over the surface without being covered with soil. If you still want to sprinkle them with soil, the layer should not exceed 1 mm.
- Water the soil thoroughly, but do not water after sowing the seeds, so that they are not drawn deep into the soil.
- Leave the germination container in a warm place (17-22 degrees). In the cold, the seeds germinate poorly or do not germinate at all.
As you can see, growing potatoes from seeds is not only possible, but also not difficult. However, it should be remembered that mini-tubers are formed in the first year. They are small and not suitable for consumption. They need to be planted next year, like regular potatoes, and then you can get a full harvest.
