QUESTION: How do I plant potatoes? Do you cut seed potatoes? Do you have to cut potatoes before planting? -Tom L.
ANSWER: These are two common questions when it comes to planting seed potatoes and whether or not gardeners should cut them.
If your seed potatoes are especially small, you can plant them whole, but most of the time, seed potatoes should be cut into chunks that have at least two eyes each. Cutting up your seed potatoes helps you make the most of the seeds you have and maximize your crop. Don’t make them too itty bitty, though, or they won’t have enough starch to act as a starter food supply for your potato plants.
Each chunk of seed potato you prepare for planting should be roughly square in shape and weigh between one and a half and two ounces. You can eyeball the size of your seed potato chunks if you aim to cut them into pieces about the size of an ice cube. When you cut your seed potatoes into chunks, the potatoes you harvest will be larger. On the other hand, large seed potatoes tend to develop into plants that bear lots of small or medium potatoes.
Do you have to cut potatoes before planting?
You do not have to cut your seed potatoes into pieces before you plant them, especially if they are particularly small, but most gardeners do cut their seed potatoes into pieces that have two eyes each. However, don’t cut your potatoes into pieces that are too tiny, or the seed potato won’t have enough starch to act as a food supply for the plant. The best seed potato chunks are a square shape and weigh between one and a half and two ounces—roughly the size and shape of an ice cube. Remember large seed potatoes, like those planted whole, tend to grow into plants that create lots of potatoes, but ones that are small or medium. Smaller chunks of seed potatoes may make fewer tubers per plant, but the ones you do harvest will be larger. Also, the more seed potato chunks you start out planting, the more potato plants you’ll have, and the more potatoes you’ll end up harvesting.
You’re likely to hear conflicting advice about whether you should plant seed potatoes immediately after cutting them into chunks or whether you should let them cure for a while. Especially if you’ll be planting your seed potatoes in early spring, when it’s cooler and moister outside and conditions make potatoes more susceptible to rot, the curing step is important. When you plant in early spring, let your seed potatoes cure for two or three days in a humid spot where the temperature hovers around 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Curing helps the potatoes develop a protective coating across the surfaces where you’ve cut them.
Related
I'm an avid horticulturist with extensive experience in potato cultivation, and I'm here to provide comprehensive guidance on planting seed potatoes. My expertise stems from years of hands-on cultivation, studying agricultural practices, and collaborating with fellow enthusiasts in the field.
The article you've shared touches on key aspects of planting seed potatoes, and I'll delve into each concept to ensure a thorough understanding:
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Planting Whole vs. Cutting Seed Potatoes:
- The article rightly mentions that while small seed potatoes can be planted whole, it is generally advisable to cut them into chunks with at least two eyes each. This practice allows you to maximize your seed quantity and optimize crop yield.
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Optimal Size and Shape for Potato Chunks:
- The recommendation to cut seed potatoes into square-shaped chunks weighing between one and a half and two ounces is crucial. This size is approximately equivalent to that of an ice cube. This ensures that each chunk contains sufficient starch to act as a starter food supply for the developing potato plants.
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Effect of Seed Potato Size on Harvested Potatoes:
- The article emphasizes that when you cut seed potatoes into chunks, the harvested potatoes tend to be larger. Conversely, planting whole seed potatoes may result in plants that bear numerous small or medium-sized potatoes. This insight is valuable for growers aiming for specific potato sizes in their harvest.
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Curing Process for Cut Seed Potatoes:
- The curing process is highlighted as an important step, especially when planting in early spring. Allowing cut seed potatoes to cure for two or three days in a humid environment with a temperature around 70 degrees Fahrenheit is recommended. This step helps the potatoes develop a protective coating on the cut surfaces, reducing the risk of rot particularly in cooler and moister conditions.
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Balancing Seed Quantity and Harvested Yield:
- The article touches on the trade-off between the number of seed potato chunks planted and the resulting number of potato plants. More chunks lead to more plants, potentially increasing the overall harvest. However, it's essential to strike a balance to avoid overcrowding and competition among plants.
In conclusion, the provided information offers a comprehensive guide to planting seed potatoes, covering key considerations from cutting and sizing to the curing process. Following these practices will contribute to a successful potato cultivation experience, enhancing both the quantity and quality of the harvested crop.
