Q. Do Red Pontiac potatoes grow in Las Vegas? When should
I plant them?
I plant them?
A. Red Pontiac potato is an excellent variety for
Southern Nevada and Irish potatoes should be planted now. It is best to
purchase certified potato seed (potato seed are potatoes cut up into pieces
that have “scabbed” over or healed slightly) for planting.
Southern Nevada and Irish potatoes should be planted now. It is best to
purchase certified potato seed (potato seed are potatoes cut up into pieces
that have “scabbed” over or healed slightly) for planting.
Many gardeners buy
potatoes out of the grocery store, cut them into their own pieces and plant
them. It can be done but the problems faced are virus diseases in the tubers
because they are not certified and buying potatoes treated with chemical sprout
inhibitors. Sprout inhibitors cause them to be really slow in sprouting after
planting.
potatoes out of the grocery store, cut them into their own pieces and plant
them. It can be done but the problems faced are virus diseases in the tubers
because they are not certified and buying potatoes treated with chemical sprout
inhibitors. Sprout inhibitors cause them to be really slow in sprouting after
planting.
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| Potatoes growing with drip irrigation |
Cutting a potato into seed pieces is quite easy. On
smaller potato tubers, cut them into equal sized quarter pieces, let the cuts
heal at room temperature for 24 hours and then plant them. Large potato tubers
are cut into six pieces. Each piece should contain an at least one
“eye” and plenty of flesh around it.
smaller potato tubers, cut them into equal sized quarter pieces, let the cuts
heal at room temperature for 24 hours and then plant them. Large potato tubers
are cut into six pieces. Each piece should contain an at least one
“eye” and plenty of flesh around it.
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| Potatoes growing in North Las Vegas Nevada |
Plant them directly into the
prepared garden soil or put “seeds” into a shallow flat that drains
easily and cover them with soil. Watering them in a flat at warm temperatures
causes them to “sprout” in a few days. Once they have sprouted,
carefully plant them in the garden about three or 4 inches deep and 12 inches
apart in rows. Be careful not to knock off the sprouts from the pieces when
you’re planting.
prepared garden soil or put “seeds” into a shallow flat that drains
easily and cover them with soil. Watering them in a flat at warm temperatures
causes them to “sprout” in a few days. Once they have sprouted,
carefully plant them in the garden about three or 4 inches deep and 12 inches
apart in rows. Be careful not to knock off the sprouts from the pieces when
you’re planting.
In large gardens rows are about 3 feet apart. In raised beds
you can squeeze potatoes in rows closer than this but alternate them in the
rows so they have more room to grow. Once the potatoes are about 12 inches
above the soil cover the potato plants with loose soil so that only a couple of
inches see light.
you can squeeze potatoes in rows closer than this but alternate them in the
rows so they have more room to grow. Once the potatoes are about 12 inches
above the soil cover the potato plants with loose soil so that only a couple of
inches see light.
 |
| Potato tuber growing on short rhizomes from mother potato plant |
Potato tubers form on short rhizomes growing from the stems
that are buried in soil. As the potatoes plants grow more, cover the stems with
more soil about every three weeks. Feed them with nitrogen fertilizer lightly
about every four weeks. Do not let them stress from a lack of water until you
are ready to harvest.
that are buried in soil. As the potatoes plants grow more, cover the stems with
more soil about every three weeks. Feed them with nitrogen fertilizer lightly
about every four weeks. Do not let them stress from a lack of water until you
are ready to harvest.
If you plant now, they should be ready to harvest in
about July. Cut back on the water at this time so that the skins of the potato
begin to heal. There are plenty of other varieties to try including Yukon Gold,
Russets, blue potatoes and fingerlings.
about July. Cut back on the water at this time so that the skins of the potato
begin to heal. There are plenty of other varieties to try including Yukon Gold,
Russets, blue potatoes and fingerlings.