Sweet potatoes in the garden: the nuances of growing yams in different regions of Russia

Such a root crop as a sweet potato is not particularly popular in our country, therefore, agronomists do not often grow this crop. However, there are those who still prefer to cook dishes from sweet potatoes.

From the article you will learn about the sweet potato: what it is, is it possible to grow a plant at a dacha in the Moscow Region from a store tuber, how is it grown in other regions of the Russian Federation, and what are the techniques for growing decorative sweet potatoes?

Features of the cultivation of sweet potatoes and differences from other root crops

This plant is considered very unpretentious in terms of soil, but the temperature requires consistently high. The root vegetable looks like a potatohowever, it is not attacked by diseases and pests that are specific to the family of nightshade. Due to the lush and dense ground part of the yam, weeds practically do not grow around it, besides such thickets help keep the soil moist longer.

Many refuse to grow this crop because of its sweet taste, but this opinion is wrong. There are quite a few varieties, which taste is very similar to potatoes and in some dishes its presence is even more welcome.

How to choose the right variety for planting?

A single classification of varieties of this crop still does not exist. It is known that in total in the world there are about 7,000 species.

The agronomist must choose a variety depending on the purpose of cultivation. and characteristics of the root. So, you need to focus on the following indicators:

• kind of sweet potatoes: dessert, vegetable or fodder (these varieties are named in order of decreasing the amount of sugar in them);
• yield;
• color and shape of leaves and root crops;
• accuracy of tuber formation;
• ripening period - early, medium or late.

All these characteristics are indicated on the package with seeds, so the agronomist can easily choose the suitable variety for himself.

Where and for how much seed can be purchased?

Estimated cost will be indicated for Moscow and St. Petersburg. It is rather difficult to find seeds or cuttings of sweet potatoes for planting in Russia. Most often, growers order seed in online stores. And sometimes they even make orders outside the homeland, since in European countries the diversity of this culture is much wider.

There is an exchange option between batatovodami. Usually they are searched on the forums.

If the vegetable grower succeeds in finding material for planting, the price of one cutting will vary between 50-70 rubles per piece, and the packaging of seeds weighing 10 grams will cost 180-250 rubles. Tubers for self-germination will be slightly cheaper - 20-30 rubles apiece.

Step-by-step instruction: agricultural engineering in the garden

Reproduction root tubers

Attention! Experienced agronomists do not recommend planting whole tubers directly into the soil, because due to the long growing season, the tubers will not have time to ripen and produce a crop.

It is best to germinate the root and plant the cuttings received.

Start the germination procedure in March. There are a lot of methods of this manipulation.

1. The most popular of them is to place up to half a root vegetable in the soil, water it well and put it in a bright place. Light should be at least 12-13 hours a day, and the ground should be constantly slightly moist. After a week of such germination, the first buds will appear on the roots, from which the cuttings will grow.

   At first, you can do without soil. It is enough to wrap the tuber in a damp cloth or napkin. And you can simply spray the tuber with water before the first cuttings. However, as soon as the first shoots come out, the yam will still need to be placed in the ground.

2. Another germination option is to place the tuber in a glass of water. It is necessary to dig a root crop approximately on 2-3 centimeters. Thick roots are formed below, and cuttings from above. Remember that the root vegetable may not last longer than a month in water, otherwise there is a chance of rotting.

We offer to watch a useful video about the breeding of yam by tubers:

Seeds

Rassadny way

It is very difficult to get seed at home, because in our regions the yam practically does not bloom.

Sow seeds for seedlings need in late January.

1. Before sowing, be sure to soak the seed in warm water for 24 hours.
2. Then they are treated in a weak solution of manganese, and then the seeds are completely dried.
3. Soil for growing seedlings should be nutritious, it is desirable to purchase ready-made substrate in the store. Before use, it must be decontaminated by placing the soil in the oven, heated to 200 degrees, for 30-40 minutes.
4. Grooves are made in the soil with a depth of 1-1.5 cm and seeds are placed in them at a distance of 1 centimeter.
5. Sowing material is well watered and placed in a lighted place, covered with foil.

Seed placement immediately to open ground

For this method of cultivation, it is best to choose early-ripening products, since it is necessary to plant seeds in open ground after the danger of frost has passed.

Seeds are processed in the same way as in the case of transplanting.

The soil should be well loosened and composted.. Seed material is immersed to a depth of 3-4 centimeters. All this is watered with settled water, but not cold. Top plot covered with film.

Care

• Seedlings and cuttings can be transferred to the open ground, as soon as the length of the process reaches 25 cm. The air must be heated to 25 degrees Celsius. While the air is cooler, the beds should be covered with foil.
• This crop will grow well in any kind of soil. But it is still good to loosen it about 15-20 centimeters. Then add humus, potassium sulfate and superphosphate. You can also use ammonium nitrate - dilute a matchbox to 10 liters of water.
• It is very important to ensure that the lashes do not take root in the internodes. To do this, it is necessary to raise the vines on each bed and tear the roots formed.
• In the second half of August, you need to pinch the upper part of the lashes - such a manipulation will help make the tubers larger.
• The sweet potato is considered a drought tolerant crop. Therefore, in frequent watering needs only in the first month after planting. After this time, watering is reduced to once per decade. 15-20 days before harvesting to moisten the soil is not necessary. As soon as you have moistened the soil, it should be loosened so that no crust forms.
• In the period of active growth of tubers, which occurs around August, the sweet potato needs additional feeding with potash fertilizer. It is best to use for this ash solution. It is prepared as follows: two glasses of wood ash are dissolved in 10 liters of water and infused for 7 days, while stirring constantly. Water a liter of solution each bush.

How is cultivated in different regions of Russia?

Errors

1. The formation of additional rhizomes. If we allow the roots to grow on the lying whips, the main root will become poorer. This will reduce the yield.
2. Poorly grown seedlings. During the growth of cuttings, you need to provide as much light and heat as possible.
3. Late terms of planting cuttings.
4. Lack of insulation at low temperatures.
5. Wrong neighborhood - you can not plant yam near corn and soybeans.
6. The presence of rodents on the site that can destroy the crop.

Harvesting and storage

Harvest should be in dry weather. This usually happens from mid to late October. If the soil was wet, the harvested roots should be dried. Store sweet potatoes in a dry place.whose temperature ranges from 10-15 degrees Celsius.

There are no dangers in the germination of root crops at all - they can be further eaten, and can be left for planting next year.

Diseases and pests

Due to the fact that the sweet potato is a transatlantic “guest”, very many diseases and pests inherent in our region do not threaten this root crop. But still some of them get to the roots.

• Cheesebone. To combat them, the affected parts of the plant must be removed, and the remaining parts treated with an insecticide solution. And you can use a folk remedy: a soap solution with lemon and garlic. 50 grams of liquid soap mixed with the juice of half a lemon and add 5 crushed cloves of garlic. Spray the yam several times with a break of 2-3 days.
• Chafer. The fight against it is carried out using the infusion of onion peel (the ratio of husk and water - 1: 3). Insist 5 days and spray the plant throughout the growing season. If traditional methods do not help, you should turn to such a drug as "Fitoverm" and "Actofit."
• Insecticides will also help to cope with spider mites, whitefly, locust and wireworms.
• Of the diseases of the sweet potato most common is the black leg. The affected areas need to be removed. And then change the aspects of care: less moisten the soil, as well as reduce its acidity by liming. The site should be chosen well ventilated and lighted.

Prevention of the emergence of any disease and pest is to comply with all recommendations for growing and their timely implementation.

Batat is exotic for our regions. However, it contains so many useful elements and substances that it is still worth trying to grow this tropical root crop on your plot.

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