Potato plant can be maturate by burying actual potatoes , technically known as " seed spud . " Larger germ potatoes are sliced into section , each turn back one or two eyes , before set . Though potato plants are comparatively low - sustenance and dauntless , fungi on the source Irish potato themselves can cause a form of spud diseases , include potato rat and shameful rot . Soaking the potatoes in a variety of solution kill the trouble - causing fungi and helps secure a healthy potato plant life and a bountiful future harvesting .
Bleach
Step 1
Fill a gallon - sized plastic bucket or container with nine cups of novel water system .
Step 2
Add one cup of standard household bleach . Mix the bleach and water thoroughly with a spoon or other stirring tool .
Step 3
dismiss the potato inside the root . Let them soak for five min before removing them from the solution . This pop most bacterial and fungous disease , accord to OISAT , a European agrarian resource service for granger and university extension prole .
Commercial Fungicides
Fill a gallon - sized plastic bucketful with 1/3 gallon of sweet urine .
add up 3/5 teaspoon of mancozeb , a commercial-grade fungicide recommended by the University of Hawaii . If you ’re using another farming fungicide , such as benomyl , consult the specific chemical ’s recording label for mix instruction .
Put the potatoes into the solution . Let them hook for 15 minutes before remove and planting them .

Borax
Pour a gallon of piddle into a plastic bucketful .
combine in 2/3 loving cup of borax .
Place the potato into the borax solution . inebriate the potato for 10 minute , then remove and plant them . Borax in effect down the various fungus kingdom that cause potato problems , like black-market rot , according to Clemson University ’s cooperative lengthiness service .
Potatoes Set Out Before Planting Them?
Seed potatoes large than 2 inches in diameter require cut into little piece before you establish them . Once tailor and machinate for planting , seed potatoes require drying . dry allows the cutting edges to strikebreaker over so they are less prostrate to rot or disease transmission after planting . incorporate a 2 - inch level of compost and a 5 - 10 - 5 blend fertilizer into the web site improves soil quality . Spacing the potatoes 10 inches apart in the row and setting rows at least 2 feet apart provides room for tuber development . Potatoes produce tubers along the entire length of their bury stem turn , so mounding mulch can increase crop yield .
Things Needed
Tip
establish the potatoes straightaway after you ’ve soaked them .