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Potatoes are a staple crop and are commonly cultivated for commercial purposes. Today, commercial potato producers use USDA certified seed potatoes for planting to reduce the incidence of disease. Back in the day, there were no such certified seed spuds, so how did folks go about saving seed potatoes and what conditions are best for seed potato storage?
Seed potatoes are an essential part of any home garden. These small tubers allow you grow your own delicious potatoes year after year. However, proper storage of seed potatoes is crucial for best results. So how long can you actually keep seed potatoes in storage before planting them? Let’s take a detailed look.
Why Proper Seed Potato Storage Matters
Potatoes, like all living organisms, have a lifespan. Seed potatoes slowly age over time, just like you and me. This gradual aging process is known as the “physiological age”. Even when dormant and not visibly growing, internal changes are happening inside the seed potato that affect its vitality and performance when planted.
The longer seed potatoes sit in storage, the older they get physiologically. Older seed potatoes have reduced yields, produce smaller tubers, and succumb more easily to disease. Premature sprouting in storage also diverts energy away from tuber production when planted.
Bottom line – the fresher your seed potatoes when planted, the better your harvest will be. Proper storage delays aging and keeps seed potatoes in peak condition as long as possible.
Ideal Seed Potato Storage Conditions
To maximize seed potato lifespan, the tubers need specific conditions during storage:
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Cool temperatures – Store between 45-50°F Warmer temperatures above 50°F hasten sprouting and aging. Colder temperatures near freezing damage potatoes
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High humidity – Seed potatoes fare best when humidity is maintained at 95% or higher. Lower humidity causes shriveling and desiccation.
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Darkness – Light triggers seed potatoes to sprout, Store them in complete darkness
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Good ventilation – Ample air flow prevents rotting and controls humidity. Stale air shortens storage life.
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Pest free – Inspect potatoes and control any insect pests or diseases to avoid spread.
With the proper environment, you can keep your seed potatoes fresh in storage for up to 9 months before their viability starts to decline.
Seed Potato Storage Timeline
Here is a general timeline for seed potato storage:
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0-2 months – Peak freshness. Plant immediately for best harvests.
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3-5 months – Still very fresh. Plant with confidence.
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6-7 months – Becoming older but still viable if conditions were ideal.
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8-9 months – Reaching maximum lifespan. Rapidly declining.
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10-12 months – Mostly exhausted. Expect poor germination and stunted plants.
As you can see, you ideally want to plant your seed potatoes within the first 1-5 months after harvesting them. The maximum you can safely store seed potatoes before severe impacts on yield and plant health is around 8-9 months. Waiting longer than that is not recommended.
With extra care to provide ideal storage conditions, you may be able to add a few weeks onto the safe storage timeframe before planting. But seed potato viability inevitably declines over time. Fresher is always better!
Seed Potato Storage Methods
To leverage those ideal storage conditions and maximize how long your seed potatoes will keep, here are some effective storage methods:
Refrigeration
Keeping seed potatoes in the refrigerator maintains cool, dark, and humid conditions year-round. Put the tubers in perforated plastic bags and keep humidity high by including some moist paper towels. Refrigeration can safely extend storage life by 1-2 months.
Root Cellars
These underground rooms or basements maintain cool, dark conditions similar to a refrigerator but without electricity. Make sure the cellar has ample ventilation and check periodically for any rotting tubers. With ideal passive temperature regulation, root cellars can store seed potatoes for 5-6 months.
Insulated Bins
Burying seed potatoes outdoors in layered containers with insulation such as straw or crumpled newspaper provides natural cold conditions. Ventilate the bin adequately and ensure no light enters. Outdoor bins can usually hold seed potatoes for 4-5 months over winter. Burying deeper extends storage by a few weeks.
Indoor Containers
Unheated indoor spaces like garages or uninsulated basements can store seed potatoes when temperatures drop in late fall and winter. Use containers that allow airflow like wooden crates or stacked mesh bags. Keep around 50°F if possible. Indoor storage typically lasts 3-4 months.
Start With High Quality Seed Potatoes
A final tip for maximizing seed potato lifespan is to start with the freshest, highest quality tubers possible:
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Purchase certified disease-free seed potatoes from reputable suppliers.
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Select large, intact tubers without cuts, bruises, or blemishes.
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Handle potatoes gently to prevent internal damage during harvest and storage.
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Cure fresh dug potatoes in a shaded spot for 7-10 days to heal scrapes and thicken skins before storage.
Taking these simple precautions produces the healthiest seed potatoes able to withstand longer safe storage. Remember, the clock is ticking as soon as you harvest those tubers. Get them into ideal storage conditions promptly to maximize how long they’ll last before planting.
With the right techniques, you can keep viable seed potatoes for approximately 8-9 months. But ideal storage can never fully stop the slow deterioration process. For best results, try to plant your seed potatoes within 1-5 months after harvesting. Then you can look forward to an abundant harvest of delicious homegrown potatoes!
How to Save Your Own Seed Potatoes
Your seed potatoes will need a rest period before planting. The rest period induces sprouting, but improper storage can precipitate premature sprouting. Temperature fluxes can precipitate these premature sprouts, so it is important to practice proper seed potato storage. Harvest potatoes that you wish to use next year as seed potatoes and brush off, dont wash, any dirt.
Place them in a cool, dry are of around 50 F. (10 C.). Three to four weeks prior to planting, put the potatoes in an area with brighter light, such as a sunny window or beneath grow lights. The seed potatoes should be maintained at a high humidity during this period. Covering with moist burlap bags will aid in initiating sprouting as well.
Small potato seed can be planted whole, but large spuds must be cut. Each seed piece should contain at least two or three eyes and weigh around 2 ounces (170 g.). Plant in rich, well draining soil with an all purpose fertilizer worked into the top 6 inches (15 cm.). Most people plant seed potatoes in hills and it is a good idea to apply a thick layer of organic mulch (grass clipping, straw, or newspaper) around the plants.
Can I Save Seed Potatoes for Next Year?
There are many schools of thought with regards to saving seed potatoes for planting the successive year. Many people say to just use USDA certified seed potatoes. This will indeed be the most direct route to a healthy, disease free crop of spuds, but these seed potatoes can also be quite pricey.
Although a cheaper idea, attempting to use non-organic supermarket potatoes for seed is not recommended, as they are often treated with chemicals to prevent sprouting during storage; hence, they will likely not sprout after planting. So, yes, you can save your own seed potatoes for planting the next year. Commercial growers tend to use the same fields year after year, which increases the chance that diseases will infect the tubers.
Home gardeners using their own seed potatoes would be wise to rotate their potato crops, or any member of the Solanaceae family (among these are tomato and eggplant) if at all possible. Maintaining a weed-free area around the plants will also aid in retarding disease, as will sowing in organic rich, well draining soil.
How to Force Eyes to Make Your Own Seed Potatoes!
FAQ
How do you store seed potatoes until planting time?
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1. Harvest and Cure:Gently brush off any loose dirt from the potatoes after harvesting. Avoid washing them.
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2. Initial Healing:For a few weeks after harvest, keep the potatoes at a temperature around 15°C (59°F) to help them heal any abrasions.
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3. Cool Storage:Store the seed potatoes in a cool, dark, and well-ventilated place. The ideal temperature is between 35° and 40°F (1-4°C).
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4. Container and Ventilation:Pack the potatoes in ventilated containers like crates, mesh bags, or even egg cartons. Avoid overcrowding and ensure good air circulation.
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5. Avoid High Temperatures:Temperatures above 10°C (50°F) will encourage rapid sprouting.
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6. Monitor Regularly:Check the potatoes regularly for any signs of rot or spoilage and remove any affected potatoes.
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7. Pre-Sprouting (Chitting):Several weeks before planting, move the potatoes to a brighter, warmer spot, such as a window, to encourage sprouting. You can also use a moist burlap bag to initiate sprouting.
Can seed potatoes be too old?
Should grow fine, however the seed/tuber might yield only small potatoes as it is physiologically old seed. If you want to grow bigger potatoes, younger seed should be planted as long as it has broken through its dormancy.
What is the shelf life of potato seeds?
At room temperature, about 70 degrees F, true potato seeds retain high germination for about five years. You can greatly extend storage life just by reducing the temperature. In gene banks, seeds stored at freezer temperature (about 0 degrees F) routinely retain high germination for 50 years or more.
How long can you store seed potatoes?
In summary, to store seed potatoes for extended periods until planting time, focus on maintaining cool temperatures between 45-50°F, protecting from light exposure, using breathable containers, controlling excess moisture, and rotating your stored potatoes at intervals.
Are seed potatoes ready to plant?
By following these tips, you can help to ensure that your seed potatoes will be healthy and ready to plant when the time comes. How long can I store seed potatoes before planting? Seed potatoes can be stored for up to six months before planting. However, the longer you store them, the more likely they are to sprout.
Do seed potatoes need a rest period before planting?
Maintaining a weed-free area around the plants will also aid in retarding disease, as will sowing in organic rich, well draining soil. Your seed potatoes will need a rest period before planting. The rest period induces sprouting, but improper storage can precipitate premature sprouting.
How long do cut seed potatoes last?
Follow those handling guidelines and cut seed potatoes can last 4-6 weeks in proper storage. Gradually warming the seed for planting 2 days ahead helps too. However, cut seed viability declines over time. After 6-8 weeks, chances of rot and weak sprouting go up. I try to avoid cutting seed more than 1 month before planting if possible.
How to store seed potatoes over winter?
Improper storage can cause the potatoes to sprout prematurely, rot, or lose vigor. Let’s explore different techniques for storing seed potatoes over winter and the pros and cons of each method. Ideally, seed potatoes should be stored at temperatures between 45-50°F for maximum length of storage.
How do I keep seed potatoes for planting next year?
Overall, keeping seed potatoes for planting next year is a simple process that can be done by any home grower. The key is to select healthy tubers which are the right size, store them properly, and keep the right amount for planting next year.