In the world of hydroponic gardening, root vegetables are known to be a challenge.  Hydroponic potatoes seem like the best idea ever, but once you start growing them you might find it to be a little more difficult than you expected. While it is possible to grow hydroponic potatoes in a special water solution, this is a more advanced setup that will probably be beyond the scope of the beginner. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to make the process easier and more successful.

No Special Equipment Needed

Hydroponic gardening pioneers have used all sorts of media for growing hydroponic potatoes.  Straw is one of the earliest types of medium used, but with the advancement of hydroponic technology the trend has shifted toward using sand, wood chips, or perlite. These media are particularly effective for growing hydroponic potatoes and other tubers because of tubers’ need for low moisture and low nitrogen.

If you would like to get started growing hydroponic potatoes without a complicated hydroponic garden setup or a lot of specialized equipment, it’s very simple to do.  Your first step will be to obtain a few “seed” potatoes.  While you can grow hydroponic potatoes from the eyes of potatoes you buy in the grocery store, these potatoes are often engineered to not bear any new potatoes.

Once you have your seed potatoes, cut each in half and leave them out on a plate to dry for about a week.  When your seed potatoes are dried out, plant them about 2-3 inches down in the growing media.  Your hydroponic potatoes will begin to sprout within a few days.

As your new hydroponic potatoes grow, it’s important to keep the base of the plants and any new potatoes in the dark.  Covering the entire vine with straw is a cheap and easy way to achieve this.  The other important point to remember is that growing potatoes like to stay cool.  If you allow your hydroponic potatoes setup to exceed 80 degrees Fahrenheit at any time, they will not produce new potatoes.

When your hydroponic potatoes are producing a crop, harvesting is very simple.  Just reach into the growing medium and feel around for the largest potato.  Pluck this one from the vine, and continue picking the biggest potato whenever you need one.  This ensures that the other potatoes have plenty of room to grow.

Potatoes in general are a somewhat fickle plant, and your plants may or may not continue to reproduce.  If not, don’t worry – simply try again with new root potatoes.  Experimenting with different growing media may help your hydroponic potatoes grow faster and produce more.

Tags: hydroponic potatoes

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