Storing potatoes - Ask Extension
Do you put lime on stored potatoes?
Knowledgebase
Storing potatoes #492743
Asked October 29, 2018, 2:25 PM EDT
Do you put lime on stored potatoes?
Cape Girardeau County Missouri
Expert Response
No, it is not needed.
Potatoes that have gone through the curing process and stored under the right conditions do not need lime. If you do not cure or store them correctly, lime does not fix the problems.
Here is what our storage guide says:
https://extension2.missouri.edu/g6226
Potato, Irish
Harvest in July when the tops have yellowed or died. Do not leave in ground exposed to high soil temperatures and sun. Wash potatoes and remove the diseased or damaged ones. Cure for about 1 week in a shaded, well-ventilated place, such as an open barn, shed or garage. Avoid exposing tubers to light. Store in as cool a place as possible at harvest time. You are not likely to find ideal storage conditions (40 degrees F, 85 to 90 percent relative humidity) at this time of year other than refrigerated cold storage. Cool basements are probably the best storage available. Keep humidity high and provide good ventilation. Storage time is 2 to 4 months.
Late potatoes have a better chance of longer storage. Our indoor storage is still not going to be that ideal 40 degrees F and Really high humidity. Outdoor storage is seldom cool or humid enough to work either, but it will be closer.
Potatoes that have gone through the curing process and stored under the right conditions do not need lime. If you do not cure or store them correctly, lime does not fix the problems.
Here is what our storage guide says:
https://extension2.missouri.edu/g6226
Potato, Irish
Harvest in July when the tops have yellowed or died. Do not leave in ground exposed to high soil temperatures and sun. Wash potatoes and remove the diseased or damaged ones. Cure for about 1 week in a shaded, well-ventilated place, such as an open barn, shed or garage. Avoid exposing tubers to light. Store in as cool a place as possible at harvest time. You are not likely to find ideal storage conditions (40 degrees F, 85 to 90 percent relative humidity) at this time of year other than refrigerated cold storage. Cool basements are probably the best storage available. Keep humidity high and provide good ventilation. Storage time is 2 to 4 months.
Late potatoes have a better chance of longer storage. Our indoor storage is still not going to be that ideal 40 degrees F and Really high humidity. Outdoor storage is seldom cool or humid enough to work either, but it will be closer.
