Sprouting Potatoes

Sprouting potatoes is commonly observed after storing them for an extended period. In case, you have land or vegetable garden, a perfect solution is to plant them. They usually perform well, yielding good crops. Even though they are excellent for growing, there is a lot of confusion about the food safety of sprouted potatoes. While some people consider them to be good for consumption, others claim them to be poisonous. Let's take a look at the safety of sprouting potatoes for consumption purpose and growing tips for sprouted potatoes.

Is Sprouting Potatoes Safe to Eat?

At the time of sprouting, the starch content in potatoes starts converting to sugar. It is a normal phenomenon during development of new plants from tubers. Sprouted potatoes with firm skin and flesh are safe for consumption. In case, they are very soft and shrunken, do not eat them. Other than this, sprouting potatoes are not dangerous for consumption. You have to take care during preparation of sprouted potatoes for cooking; what you can do is slice off the sprouts and remove green portions (if any).

Potatoes sprout under normal temperature, light and humidity conditions, which is why they develop buds so easily. Commercial control is done by irradiation and treatment with chemicals (e.g., chlorpropham and maleic hydrazide). At home, sprouting potatoes can be controlled by using essential oils. However, the most effective method is to regulate the potatoes storage conditions, such as low humidity, cool temperature and adequate air circulation.

How to Plant Sprouting Potatoes?

You can plant sprouting potatoes for your kitchen. But, the main drawback with grocery bought potatoes is no surety for disease ad pest resistance. Hence, for mass scale plantation, it is suggested to use only quality seed potatoes from a reputable supplier, which are specifically released for growing. Before 3 - 4 weeks of planting, you can place them in a wooden box or in open egg cartons (if available), so as to induce sprouting. Place them near a sunny window or under fluorescent light. Within a few weeks, your seed potatoes will develop healthy sprouts.

Select partial shade to full sun location for growing potatoes. The soil conditions ideal for growing them are moist, well aerated and nutrient enriched soil. About 2 - 3 weeks prior to planting sprouted potatoes, supplement potassium rich fertilizer in appropriate dose. Select small potatoes with 1 inch length sprout, or cut potatoes with attached shoots. Make 4 - 6 inches deep holes and plant them with the sprouts facing up. Cover with soil and ensure that you maintain a space of about 1 foot between two sprouted potatoes. Follow proper care as per directions of horticulturists.

Sprouting potatoes in water is a common biology project for preschoolers. For this experiment, you will need a glass jar, a healthy elongated potato, toothpicks and water. Insert toothpicks around the potato and near to the sprouts. Fill the glass jar with water and place potato with the sprouted end down. Making sure that it is not totally immersed in water, place the glass near a windowsill. Within a few days, you will notice sprouting of potato with roots in the glass.

With this information about sprouting potatoes, I hope you have cleared all your doubts pertaining to their food safety and planting instructions. According to commercial cultivators and gardening enthusiasts, using sprouted potatoes is beneficial in shortening the time period for tuber formation, by about one month.