Potatoes are grown today by a significant portion of Russian citizens. A large increase in plant ground mass does not always allow one to count on large tubers. Good large tops have a bad effect on yields and in most cases indicate incorrect growing techniques. Why potatoes grow tall tops and what needs to be done, you need to know to get the proper harvest.
Reasons for intensive growth of tops
High potato tops in traditional varieties have a negative effect on yield indicators.This is due to the fact that the plant devotes all its energy to the formation of green mass, and there is no food left for the growth of tubers. Several factors can lead to a situation where the shoots begin to stretch out greatly. The main reasons are:
- planting a plant in a shaded area;
- excessive application of fertilizers to the soil;
- excessive watering or abundant planting.
Excessive growth of green mass and the lack of timely measures will indicate that time has already been lost, and it will be impossible to influence yield indicators from a certain point.
Excess nitrogen
Often, potato tops develop due to excessive application of fertilizers to the soil, which stimulate the growth of green mass. Excellent growth of tops is observed when the soil is excessively enriched with manure and nitrogen-containing fertilizers. In this case, the height of the bushes reaches 80 cm or more. In this case, the rate of application of nutrients is adjusted and measures are taken to stop further growth of the tops.
In places where tubers are planted, the following fertilizing scheme with fertilizers is suggested:
- the first is done after the emergence of seedlings, if no manure was added to the soil in the fall or spring, saltpeter or urea is used at the rate of 10 g per 10 liters of water;
- the second is done after hilling and when the height of the tops is from 20 to 25 cm, 25-30 g of nitrophosphate are scattered between the rows.
During the summer season, it is necessary to fertilize several times with complex fertilizers, saturating the soil with potassium, phosphorus, magnesium and other types of microelements.
Large tubers
Excessive application of fertilizers does not always lead to the growth of tall tops, and in this case it is worth paying attention to the characteristics of the potato. The reason may be hidden in the tubers.Why potatoes have high tops is often determined by the breeding qualities of the variety, so before planting it is worth studying the features and characteristics of the garden crop.
A tall potato bush is characteristic of species such as Nakra and Impala.
A common mistake novice gardeners make is the desire to choose large tubers for planting. As a result, due to the large amount of nutrients, rapid growth of shoots is observed, and the supply in large root crops is enough to form a large volume of greenery. For planting, it is recommended to use tubers no larger than the size of a chicken egg.
Lack of light
Lack of light negatively affects the potato harvest. In cases where there is not enough space on the site, gardeners begin to “cut” the site and plant tubers in the shade of trees. Such plantings are distinguished by elongated tops of root crops and their high growth. The lower the tree crowns, the more dense and shaded the planting area becomes. In this regard, it is recommended to choose open sunny places for growing potatoes.
Often the problem of insufficient lighting arises due to non-compliance with the planting scheme and planting the tubers too close to each other. At the same time, the shoots begin to stretch out, and there is a thickening of the plantings, which leads to poor ventilation and plant diseases.
Many gardeners resort to tricks by planting bushes with the formation of plantings from north to south. This method makes it possible to provide the shoots with maximum light around the clock, since in the first half of the day sunlight reaches one side of the bushes, and in the second half the second side of the plant is fully illuminated.
Weather
Weather conditions often cause poor harvests.The higher the level of precipitation and the more significant its excess above the norm, the taller the bushes are formed. This situation is typical for a rainy summer with a lack of sunny days and warm weather.
Many gardeners mistakenly believe that the more often they water, the higher the harvest. Excessive soil moisture leads to the opposite effect; progressive growth of tops and crushing of tubers is noted. An additional disadvantage of frequent watering is the poor storage capacity of such potatoes, so you will have to part with part of the plant.
What measures to take if the tops are high
To stop the growth of tops, many summer residents use treatment of the planting site with a solution prepared from 100 g of superphosphate and 10 liters of water for every hundred square meters of area. The prepared product needs to be poured over each potato bush. This method is in most cases used when there is excessive application of nitrogen fertilizers to the soil and there is an urgent need to stop the growth of green mass.
The active components of the drug accelerate the formation potato tubers due to the outflow of nutrients or leaves into root crops.
You can resort to a method in which the tops are mowed. It only applies after the period has completely ended potato flowering. Experienced gardeners advise mowing 2 weeks before harvest.
When using the mowing method, several positive results are achieved, and the likelihood of obtaining a good harvest is quite high. Positive points include:
- stimulation of root crop formation processes;
- improving the taste and external characteristics of fruits;
- better evaporation of moisture, reducing the risk of waterlogging;
- prevention of various types of potato diseases, which often affect tubers through the tops;
- increasing the ability for long-term storage.
When potato tops are trimmed, harvesting is greatly simplified. After finishing the work, the mowed greenery must be removed and the soil treated with fungicides, which will reduce the risk of infection of root crops.
What to do if the tops are low
The size of the tops is influenced by many factors; the characteristics of the variety are fundamental. For some crops, a height of 45 to 50 cm is considered the norm, so before planting a new type of potato you should read the description. You need to worry when a variety that has been planted for many years begins to grow abnormally, and the growth of the tops has stopped.
The most common reason for low tops is due to improper potato care.
In most cases, this situation occurs when there is a lack of nutrients in the soil. Phosphorus deficiency leads to underdeveloped tops and poor plant growth. A signal of a deficiency of such an element is the acquisition of a purple hue from a tuber cut in half. In this case, it is enough to spray the plants with a superphosphate solution to solve the problem. For good potato growth, it is important to exclude plant diseases, follow the planting scheme and watering recommendations.
