The potato tops of vegetable is not eaten, but development of tubers in many respects depends on it. It is necessary for plant only till certain moment.
Why to potato tops of vegetable
Some beginning gardeners especially far from botany ask question whether the tops of vegetable is necessary in general to potatoes? The answer is unambiguous – of course and. Tasty and friable potatoes – result of difficult biochemical processes which constantly happen in plant leaves. Tubers receive substances, necessary for development, not only from the soil by means of root system, but also from elevated part. In tops of vegetable there is photosynthesis process, vital for any plant. Elevated part is required to root crop during active growth. In the absence of green material at potatoes tubers properly will not be created.
If escapes strong and dense, the root crop pleases with the large sizes. However not always violence of elevated part means that in the soil the rich harvest ripens. The plant can spend all forces for greens distillation to the detriment of forming of tubers for the sake of which potatoes are cultivated. Only in certain cases the powerful tops of vegetable is one of features of grade.
Whether it is worth removing tops of vegetable at potatoes
Experienced gardeners and agronomists agree in opinion that cutting potato tops of vegetable is necessary. It is important reception which interferes with spread of diseases (for example, phytophthora) from land part in tubers. Besides, removal of tops of vegetable will accelerate maturing of root crop and its peel. The last becomes firm thanks to what potatoes many times will better transfer both cleaning and transportation, and storage.
The tops of vegetable should be cut off also in order that it could not "recover" and again go to growth. It happens when the long period of rains begins. In case of renewal of growth, nutrients which it will begin to extend from the ripened tubers will be required for tops of vegetable, worsening taste and quality of future harvest.
When to mow potato tops of vegetable
It is necessary to start this action after third or quarter of all potato leaves turns yellow. Usually it occurs month later after the end of blossoming.
It is not necessary to cut tops of vegetable under the basis: it is enough to leave stumps 6-10 cm high that they could be taken without problems in hand. Vershoks will also serve as reference point during digging.
Two weeks later it is possible to start cleaning of potatoes safely. If not to wait time and to begin to dig out root crop at once after cutting of tops of vegetable, it is possible to face cracking of tubers.