Potato ripening period from planting to harvest: stages of ripening

Potatoes are grown everywhere in Russia. But only experts know how to harvest the maximum yield of this tuber crop and its growing season. Therefore, before growing potatoes, it's important to familiarize yourself with all the factors that determine their yield.

The relationship between potato variety and harvest time

Due to the fact that in different regions the period for planting vegetables may differ due to climatic features, then potato ripening period Potato variety is defined differently. Furthermore, to ensure a bountiful harvest in a given region, the potato variety should also be considered before planting.

The potato growing season and ripening speed can be divided into the following categories:

• early variety – can be dug up 50-65 days after planting;
• the growing season of mid-early potatoes is 65-80 days;
• the mid-season variety grows from planting to harvest in 80 to 95 days;
• mid-late potatoes remain in the ground for 95-110 days from sowing to full maturity;
• The growing period for late-ripening varieties of tuber crops is at least 110 days.

Therefore, it's important to select a potato variety on a case-by-case basis. Furthermore, key factors influencing harvest time include the growing season, taste, disease resistance, and ability to survive the winter.

Ripening periods of potato varieties

The vegetation of the tuber crop has several stages:

• from the moment of planting and the emergence of the first shoots until the formation of buds;
• from vegetation to the last stage of green mass development;
• from the beginning of the slow growth of potatoes and the development of tops until their complete death, during which tubers are formed.

Potato growth from planting to harvest takes a certain number of days. Early-ripening varieties generally mature significantly faster than late-ripening ones.

Early ripening varieties

When grown early, potatoes mature in just 65 days. Therefore, the tubers will reach maturity in July. If planted at the first sign of warm spring, seedlings will emerge as early as May.

Early-ripening varieties have an advantage because the risk of late blight is reduced. This is possible because the tops are harvested in late summer. Early potatoes grow quickly, but they don't boast high yields because they contain low amounts of starch and other dry matter. Among the main early-ripening potato varieties are Alena, Ariel, and Zhukovsky Ranniy.

This type of vegetable is suitable for central Russia.

Mid-early varieties

The vegetable matures in 65 to 80 days. Once planted in fertile soil, potatoes grow quickly but require regular and abundant watering. Popular varieties:

• Rowanberry;
• Scarlett;
• Romano;
• Ilyinsky.

More than 50% of dry matter in such potatoes is starch.

Mid-season varieties

This root vegetable, belonging to this species, yields a bountiful harvest, and ripens in early August. It should be planted in early May, when the soil is fully warmed.

Vegetable growers prefer the Dubrava and Sineglazka varieties. They contain a lot of starch fiber, making them delicious.

Mid-late varieties

Mid-late potatoes ripen after flowering, and the growing season lasts four months. Therefore, they should not be dug up before this time, as the tubers are not yet ripe. During this time, the crop accumulates the required amount of dry matter. Ripened tubers should be dug up in September, but no earlier than 120 days after planting. Plant the seeds in mid- to late May.

Gardeners prefer this type of potato for its flavor, good yield, and long shelf life. The most famous varieties are Zdabytak, Zhuravlinka, and Asteriks.

This potato variety is disease-resistant. It's best planted in southern soil to ensure it ripens fully. If the crop is grown in central Russia, the plants should be treated against late blight.

Late-ripening varieties

This potato variety is characterized by its long shelf life, maintaining its nutritional value. Planting should take place in the second or third ten days of May. The harvest can be harvested as early as the first month of autumn. The main rule that gardeners follow is that this potato variety should be grown for at least 120 days.

The plant is frost-resistant, as the chance of a significant drop in temperature during the last month of spring is virtually nonexistent. This late-ripening tuber is an excellent choice for planting in the northern regions of Russia. The most well-known varieties are Lorkh, Atlant, and Saturn.

Factors Affecting Potato Ripening Time

It happens that tubers of the same potato variety begin to form at different times. This means they have different ripening times. Various factors influence this.

In particular, climate has a strong impact on potato development. Rainfall can cause late blight, and high temperatures can stunt root growth. However, these consequences can be avoided and potato ripening can be accelerated by following proper cultivation techniques.

Variety

Each type of potato crop differs in its maturity time and speed. Therefore, when purchasing seed, it's important to familiarize yourself with its specific characteristics, including ripening time, planting instructions, and potato care.

Choosing the right potato affects the time it takes to complete all stages of development. The gardener's purpose for growing potatoes should also be considered. For example, early-ripening varieties are popular, but yields are low and, due to their low dry matter content, their shelf life is short. Growing this crop commercially has its advantages. For example, in the southern regions of the country, two harvests per year are possible, while in the northern regions, cultivation is possible.

Mid-season and late-season crops do not produce a quick harvest, but they are tastier, produce larger quantities of potatoes, and can withstand storage throughout the winter.

Growing region

Before planting tubers, consider not only their ripening period but also the climate of the region where they will be grown. In areas where spring frosts are common, it's best to postpone planting.

By choosing optimal conditions for potatoes (weather, soil composition, variety), you can increase yield. Furthermore, they will develop immunity to various diseases and improve quality.

Landing time

If potatoes are planted too early for a particular variety, there's a high risk of the crop being damaged by frost, which is common in spring. Therefore, it's important to research the characteristics and features of the selected potato crop in advance and consider the optimal planting period.

Planting tubers later also does not guarantee a rich harvest, since the soil will be dry.

Fertilization

Overuse of fertilizers not only fails to speed up the vegetable's growing season but can even harm the future harvest. Excessive amounts of organic fertilizers can have a detrimental effect on the quality of potatoes, as their nitrate content increases.

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When there is a lack of minerals in the soil, vegetable growth and development accelerates, but the quality and yield suffer. The use of mineral and organic top dressing The potato growing season is extended, so its growth can continue into autumn. If various inorganic compounds are present, tubers develop significantly later.

Amount of moisture and air temperature

Overwatering leads to delayed flowering because the tubers become completely saturated with moisture, and their development accelerates. However, if the water supply is too low, the soil becomes dry, and the tops stop growing. Once the tops dry out, the potato develops rapidly, and harvest time is shortened. However, the yield is small, and the potatoes are small.

Sudden temperature fluctuations can adversely affect crop quality, resulting in an increase in the number of small tubers. High temperatures cause potatoes to ripen faster, especially during the growing season and tuber formation.

Potato growing season

Biological characteristics refer to the several stages a plant goes through during its maturation process. During the first phase after planting, which lasts 20 to 25 days, the seedlings mature. Then comes the flowering stage, which is divided into four stages:

• Budding – the tops reach their peak and begin to gradually die off. Root formation is activated;
• Vegetation – the formation of buds above ground coincides with budding in the soil. The development of underground tubers begins;
• Growth is the main, longest stage of flowering, during which tuber cells gradually enlarge. This phase lasts 40-65 days, depending on the crop variety and other factors that affect the rate of maturation.
• dying off of green mass occurs 60-90 days after planting the tubers.

The overall growing season lasts 70-140 days. The duration of this phase depends not only on the vegetable variety but also on the growing conditions.

Ways to speed up the ripening of potatoes

Trying to get the crop ripe as early as possible can be a recipe for disaster. Trying to grow potatoes too quickly can result in poor quality and a small harvest.

Late planting or unfavorable weather conditions significantly prolong the flowering period. In this case, accelerated ripening methods should be used to obtain high-quality potatoes with excellent qualities:

• Removing the tops is the simplest and most effective method, which should be used a week before harvesting the crop;
• To use copper sulfate, spray the plant with a solution prepared at the following ratio: 5 g of solution per 1 liter of water. This should be done 14 days before harvest to allow the green mass to dry and the tubers to form.
• Treating the plant with magnesium chlorate – this method is most effective if used after a season of prolonged rainfall. To prepare the solution, mix 20 g of magnesium chlorate in 1 liter of liquid. This promotes tubers formation and allows the tops to dry out.
• using superphosphate - to prepare a solution, you need to dissolve 2 kg of superphosphate in a bucket of water;

• Sprouting tubers before planting in the ground should be done in a well-ventilated room. Daytime temperatures should be 15°C (59°F) and evening temperatures should be no lower than 7°C (44°F). The potato will germinate in 12-28 days. After the first sprouts appear, they should be treated with a solution of 15 g each of sodium chloride, ammonium nitrate, and 55 g of superphosphate diluted in 10 liters of liquid. After 48 hours, water the potatoes with plain water. This will promote faster growth after planting.
• Drying: spread the tubers out in a single row, and after 10 days, eyes will form on them. After this, you can begin planting.

These procedures will cause the potato to show signs of ripening much earlier, so you can dig up tasty new potatoes without fear of damaging them.

When to dig up potatoes

Each variety of the crop has its own ripening time. The main signs of ripening will help you know when the tubers are ready for harvesting:

1. The tops have dried out—for early varieties, this happens in midsummer. The harvest can be completed once all the potato tops in the area have dried out.
2. Weather conditions – tubers must be dug up on a dry, sunny day.
3. Sowing – if the vegetable is planted in late May, the ripe fruits will not be ready to harvest until September. You can also determine the vegetable's readiness by the color and condition of the tops.

Harvesting in the morning is not recommended, as frosts can already occur by then. Therefore, it's best to harvest in the evening. Otherwise, the potatoes will quickly wither and become unfit for consumption.

When harvesting tubers, consider not only the variety, planting time, and ripening conditions, but also the weather. The air temperature should be between 12 and 17 degrees Celsius. This will prevent the tubers from spoiling during storage.

If the weather forecast predicts precipitation, quickly clear away dry grass and harvest the potatoes. Otherwise, excessive moisture at the end of flowering will have a detrimental effect on the crop, leading to the development of fungal infections.

Harvested potatoes should be dried in the open air, but avoiding direct UV rays. Afterwards, store them in a dark, well-ventilated place with high humidity.

Reviews

Ilona, ​​Moscow region

I've been growing potatoes for sale for many years, so it's important to me that they're beautiful, ripe, and of high quality. When planting, I consider weather conditions, ripening speed, and harvest time. Fertilization is also important, so I use organic fertilizers. But it's important not to overdo it, otherwise the results will be counterproductive.

Igor, Arkhangelsk
My garden plot is located in a lowland, so I have to speed up the potato ripening process. There are many different methods, but I use top-cutting. This allows the tubers to form and ripen quickly. The yield is good. This method doesn't affect the taste or quality of the potatoes.

The potato's ripening time depends on the variety. However, gardeners can speed it up using various methods. The key is to follow all recommendations, and your potato harvest will be unaffected.