Scientific approach: is it possible to store apples in the cellar along with potatoes

Every gardener knows the value of square meters in a cellar. The harvested crop must be placed in such a way that there is enough space for each product.

At the same time, it is necessary to comply with the requirements of the culture so that it does not deteriorate during storage. A separate issue is the compatibility of vegetables and fruits.

Read about whether it is possible to store apples in the same cellar with potatoes and how to properly organize this process in the article.

Product compatibility

To prevent vegetables and fruits from spoiling during storage, their compatibility must be taken into account.

Pay attention to parameters such as:

• skin thickness of fruits and vegetables;
• temperature requirements;
• substances released by products.

Potatoes can be stored with vegetables and fruits that will not spoil it, will absorb excess moisture and will not start to deteriorate due to its excess.

When lying in the cellar, the tubers sweat... The accumulated condensation must not harm the food stored nearby. Apples are not one of them. They should not lie with the potatoes. There are several reasons for this.

Why not recommended?

It is not recommended to store apples with potatoes due to the fact that they release ethylene. This name hides a plant hormone, which is designed for their rapid maturation. In plucked fruits, its production is increased due to a lack of moisture, so they ripen faster.

Therefore, lying next to the apples, it begins to sprout quickly and deteriorate. Tubers become soft, rot from the inside.

However, ethylene has one peculiarity. At zero temperature, its production is significantly reduced. Therefore, the ripening process of products is slowed down. As soon as the temperature in the cellar rises above zero, gas again begins to be produced with a vengeance.

Knowing this feature, it can be used with benefit. Therefore, in some cases, joint storage of apples and potatoes is still acceptable.

When exactly is it impossible?

There are situations in which to store apples and potatoes not unambiguously.

1. Storage in one box. In no case should fruits and vegetables come into contact with each other.The released ethylene will cause the potatoes to quickly rot.
2. Storage of early ripening fruits with a thin skin in the same container or next to potatoes. These fruits emit gas especially actively. They themselves quickly deteriorate and provoke rotting of nearby products.
3. High temperature in the cellar. If it exceeds the mark of 0 ... + 1 degrees, then the crop will start to rot.
4. Poor ventilation. The worse the room is ventilated, the more ethylene will accumulate in it.
5. Storing large quantities of apples. If the crop takes up the bulk of the cellar, then the accumulation of ethylene will be significant. In this case, even the most powerful ventilation will not help.

When is it allowed?

Store apples and potatoes together possible in the following cases:

• ideal conditions have been created in the cellar - the air temperature does not exceed 0 degrees, the hood is working properly, or additional fans are installed;
• the ceiling height in the cellar is not less than 2.2 m;
• the room was disinfected, the walls were whitewashed with a mixture of lime and copper sulfate;
• it is possible to place vegetables and fruits far from each other;
• potatoes are young and dry - such tubers will not be affected by ethylene for a long time;
• regular quality control of products - you will have to sort and inspect them often.

If the apples have absorbed the "basement" smell, it is not difficult to get rid of it. It is enough to endure them for several days in an apartment. The shriveled fruits are soaked in cool water.

How to organize storage in the same basement with potatoes?

If there is very little storage space, then you can resort to some tricks, thanks to which it will be possible to preserve both apples and potatoes in one cellar.

These include:

1. Separate storage of products. Potatoes are placed in the cellar in open boxes. The fruits are laid out on the shelves that are located above.

   They will be located closer to the ventilation, thereby avoiding the accumulation of ethylene in the room.

2. Storing apples in plastic bags. They are packed in 2-4 kg of fruit and left for 7 hours to cool. Then the bags are tied tightly.

   For "breathing" the fruit needs a few small holes, which are made with a match. After 7-14 days, the bag will have enough carbon dioxide for long-term storage of apples.

   This process can be accelerated by putting a cotton swab with alcohol inside. With this method of storage, apples cannot harm the tubers.

3. Before being sent to boxes, vegetables and fruits must be carefully sorted out. All products that have even the slightest signs of rot, scratches or dents must be sorted out.
4. To make apples emit less ethylene into the environment, they are wrapped in paper. Packed fruits are put in strong wooden boxes, or in clean cardboard boxes that are not afraid of moisture. The gaps can be filled with straw.
5. If the room is very small, then vaseline oil helps to "protect" the potatoes. It is impregnated with paper in which each apple is wrapped. Only the very best, medium sized fruits are selected. Large and small fruits spoil faster.

The closer the spring period, the more often the check is carried out. Products showing signs of deterioration must be removed immediately..

Best kept winter apples... They have a thick skin that protects them from drying out and penetration of harmful microorganisms. Such fruits will not rot and contribute to spoilage of nearby foods.

Collect them when they reach removable, not actual maturity... At first, the taste of the fruit cannot be called excellent. It improves during storage. These apples become juicy, sweet and aromatic in 1-2 months. He will tell you when to remove apples from the tree for storage this article.

Glycerin helps to increase the safety of fruits. It is applied to a cloth that is used to wipe each apple. You can learn about the methods of processing apples before storage here.

Helpful information

To keep potatoes and apples longer you can resort to the following tips:

1. Add radish or horseradish to the box with tubers. These root vegetables secrete special substances - phytoncides, which destroy the fungus and prevent infection with rot.
2. Beets, laid on top of the potatoes, allow them to retain moisture, thereby preventing them from rotting.
3. To improve the keeping quality of potatoes, you can sprinkle them with onion peels or mint leaves.
4. You cannot pick the stalk from apples.
5. Apples that have been picked up from the ground cannot be stored. Overripe defective fruits are used immediately. If they fall into the basement, then rot can destroy the entire crop.
6. Do not wash natural matte deposits from apples. It protects them from damage.
7. During apple cultivation, the proportion of nitrogenous fertilizers is reduced. If there are too many of them in the soil, then the fruits will quickly rot.

To do this, they are left in the garage, in the garden or on the balcony for 2-3 weeks. Only after re-sorting can they be sent to winter. You will find all the most important things about keeping apples here.

Conclusion

Storing potatoes and apples together is not recommended. If it is not possible to separate them, then they place the products in the same room, but as far as possible from each other..

The guarantee of the safety of vegetables and fruits is a consistently low air temperature, high-quality ventilation and regular sorting.