How to Grow Aaloo in Bags in India

Learn all about How to Grow Aaloo in Bags in India and cultivate Aaloo easily in a small space like a terrace or a balcony!

 

No Indian sabzi (curry) is complete without having the highly compatible Aaloo in it! Aaloo is one of the staple vegetables of the Indian diet. Being high in starch, this root plant has health-beneficial properties, which we shall discuss further in the article. Keep reading if you wish to learn How to Grow Aaloo in Bags in India.

Botanical Name: Solanum tuberosum

Common Name: Potato, Aaloo, Batata

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Aaloo Information

Families all across India use Aaloo on a daily basis for some or other food preparation. Gardeners always ponder on the question of how they can grow Aaloo at home itself. No need to worry! This article shall clear all your queries.

Aaloo is an edible tuber of the plant species Solanum tuberosum and is the world’s fourth-largest food crop. Native to the Andes, Aaloo was introduced to Europe in the late 16th century and has since become a staple food in many parts of the world. Aaloo can be cooked in various ways, including baking, boiling, frying, and roasting. It is a good source of carbohydrates and is also high in vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin C and potassium.

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Propagation of Aaloo in Bags

The following are the steps to grow Aaloo in bags:

• For this, you need sturdy good quality grow bags that are permeable and large in size so that a good amount of harvest can be produced.
• Roll the bag down to 1/3rd of its vertical height.
• Now add 10cm -15cm of soil that does not consist of peat.
• The sowing process may now begin. Take 4-5 chitted Aaloo and gently place them on the soil’s surface.
• After placing the Aaloo, add another layer of compost which should be about 10cm in height.
• Soon enough, shoots will start appearing. After they reach about 8cm, cover them up with another 10cm layer of compost.
• Water them frequently but beware of overwatering.
• Make sure the Aaloo gets plenty of dappled light with 3-4 hours of direct morning sunlight.
• After a few more weeks, the Aaloo yield will be ready to harvest.
  

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Requirements of Growing Aaloo in Bags

Sunlight

Aaloo in the bag requires about 5-6 hours of direct sunlight. Make sure that the Aaloo themselves are not exposed to sunlight as that can make them green, but only the shoot system is exposed.

Soil

Aaloo thrives best in loose, well-draining, sandy loam soil with a good amount of nutrients. Fertile and loose soil is necessary as compact or tightly packed soil can lead to misshapen Aaloo tubers. The pH level of the soil should be about 5.0-7.0, making it slightly acidic to neutral.

Watering

Generally, the best amount of water that Aaloo requires is about 1-2 inch per week. The tubers of potatoes are 76% – 82% water hence they require a good amount of external water to be able to make up that proportion.

Water Aaloo whenever the topsoil feels a little dry to the touch.

Temperature

High temperature is not suitable for Aaloo plant. Aaloo is native to the temperate regions of the world and hence is acclimatized to cool conditions. The ideal temperature for Aaloo is about 20°C – 25°C which is 68°F -77°F.

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Taking Care of Aaloo in Grow Bags

Fertilizer

Aaloo plants need a balanced fertilizer with an NPK ratio of 5-10-10 or 6-12-12. You can buy these fertilizers in a dry or liquid form and apply them according to the manufacturer’s instructions. For best results, fertilize Aaloo every two to three weeks during the growing season. Make sure to water the fertilizer into the soil after application.

Pests and Diseases

If planted directly into the soil, there is a high risk of diseases such as late blight, bacterial wilt, pink rot, and Aaloo black leg.

Aaloo Pests:

• Aphids
• Colorado Potato Beetle
• Cyst Nematodes
• Potato Leafhoppers
• Potato Tuber Moth
• Blister Beetles

These pests can cause a lot of damage to the Aaloo plant. It is necessary to keep them away by using the appropriate pesticides and insecticides.

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Harvesting Aaloo

The harvesting process is very simple and does not require much effort. All you have to do is simply tip over the contents of the grow bag and manually collect all the Aaloo tubers. The remaining soil can be used as soil improvers.