Usually, seed potatoes are used when growing potatoes in the kitchen garden, but it is also possible to grow potatoes from seed. For this, use the seeds of Soltastic F1. This way of growing your own potatoes is a fun challenge for any kitchen gardener. The fairly firm potatoes have a yellow skin and the inside of the potatoes is also yellow.
This variety can be used for boiling, baking and frying. Potatoes are delicious when combined with beef, lamb, pork, chicken, cream, eggs, cheese, rosemary and thyme. Potatoes can also be combined with all kinds of vegetables such as: endive, kale, broccoli, cauliflower, beets, peas, purslane, leeks, green beans, brown beans, red cabbage, rocket, carrots, etc. Non hardy perennial. Height: 50 cm.
Sowing indoors: February - end of April
Germination: 7 - 14 days
Germination temp.: 16 - 20 °C
Sowing depth: 2 - 3 mm
Plant distance: 20 cm
Plant distance between the mounds: 60 cm
Plant postion: sunny - half shadow
Days till harvest: 100 - 120
Potatoes need a little nitrogen and a lot of potassium. Fertilise the soil with these before the potato plants go into the ground.
Sow indoors from February to April in trays or separate pots filled with well-moistened sowing medium. Sow the seeds shallowly and cover them with a very thin layer of sifted sowing medium. Maintain as even a sowing temperature as possible, which should not exceed 20 °C. Especially do'nt let the temperature drop at night. Cover the trays with a lid to keep moisture in and ensure the seeds do'nt dry out. Remove the lid as soon as the seeds germinate. Once the seedlings emerge, they need extra light. Provide 14 - 16 hours of light per day, special grow lights can be used for this purpose. Repot the seedlings as soon as they are big enough to handle in separate pots if trays were used for sowing.
Harden off the seedlings from the beginning of May. Place the young plants outside during the day or put the plants in a cold frame. After 10 - 14 days, the plants can be put in their final spot. Provide a sunny spot with some semi-shade if necessary. Make sure the soil is loose and airy by loosening it well before placing the plants in their final spot. Do'nt put the plants in the ground until there is no chance of night frost.
Potato plants should be earthed up.This creates so-called mounds. Earthing up means accumulating soil against the plants. Do'nt cover the plants completely, but leave a part of the plants uncovered. Earthing up potatoes serves two purposes: to increase the yield and to prevent them from turning green and poisonous under the influence of sunlight. Keep 20 cm between plants and 60 cm between mounds to ensure good air circulation.
About 100 - 120 days ( late August - early September) after planting out the potato plants can be harvested.The time of harvesting depends on several factors such as weather conditions and temperature. For the largest possible harvest, harvest the potatoes the moment the leaves of the plants turn brown and yellow. Harvest the plants with a rake to avoid damaging the potatoes.This works best if the soil is moist. In any case, harvest all potatoes before it starts to freeze. If necessary, clean the harvested potatoes and let them dry well in a dry and well-ventilated place. Once the potatoes are thoroughly dry, store them in a dark and dry place at a temperature of 4 - 8 °C.
Potatoes are related to tomatoes, aubergines, hot peppers and sweet peppers. So these vegetables belong together in crop rotation. So alternate the cultivation of varieties. Don't plant potatoes in the same place where you first grew tomatoes, hot peppers, sweet peppers or aubergines.
