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  • Potato flowers

    I have tatties in containers that are earthed up to the top, lots of foliage and now have flower buds. I'm getting conflicting information wether to pinch off the flower buds or leave them. Also this is my first year growing anything and I was wondering if my tatties are nearly ready for harvesting, I understand I have to wait until the foliage starts to yellow. The tatties are Arran pilot and desiree, planted begining of April and kept mostly in a greenhouse. Thank you.

  • #2
    Originally posted by AdeyT View Post
    I was wondering if my tatties are nearly ready for harvesting
    the only way to tell is to have a furtle (fumble) under the soil. If they've only been in for about 7 weeks, I shouldn't have thought they'd be ready until July at the earliest
    Last edited by Two_Sheds; 01-06-2010, 08:47 AM.
    All gardeners know better than other gardeners." -- Chinese Proverb.

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    • #3
      I never used to pinch out the flowers- but I have done for the past few years.
      It does make sense to get rid of them as they are 'wasting' energy.

      In some varieties they are an indication the spuds are ready- but not all!

      As 2sheds says..go on - have a furtle....you know you want to!!!!
      "Nicos, Queen of Gooooogle" and... GYO's own Miss Marple

      Location....Normandy France

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      • #4
        Thanks for the replies

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        • #5
          Originally posted by Nicos View Post
          I never used to pinch out the flowers- but I have done for the past few years.
          It does make sense to get rid of them as they are 'wasting' energy.

          In some varieties they are an indication the spuds are ready- but not all!
          I think earlies are generally ready once the plants have flowered, about the end of June, but maincrops should be left until the foliage dies down, in late summer or early autumn. I've just noticed some buds on my 'Rocket', which are first earlies, and exceptionally early at that - described by Wilco, where I bought them, as 'Very First Early'.
          Tour of my back garden mini-orchard.

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          • #6
            Arran Pilot are an early variety and will normally be ready between 10 and 12 weeks from planting.

            Desiree are maincrop and will normally need 20 to 24 weeks.

            Early spuds are generally harvested before flowers have time to form and the foliage often still looks healthy. Maincrops have time to flower and are ready when the foliage starts to die.
            The proof of the growing is in the eating.
            Leave Rotten Fruit.
            Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potasium - potash.
            Autant de têtes, autant d'avis!!!!!
            Il n'est si méchant pot qui ne trouve son couvercle.

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            • #7
              I've got some flowers starting to show on my British Queen in Morrisons buckets in the greenhouse. they were planted on 4 April so 10 weeks will be 13 June, 12 weeks the 27 June. As second earlies I guess the 27th is probably more realistic. I might have to have a poke around before then though, just in case...

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              • #8
                Two of my Vales emeralds (the ones grown in the GH but now outside) have flowers forming. They were planted around the 4th April so I'm guessing another week or 2 before they're ready.

                Two of my King Edwards which have also been in the GH but are now outside also have the start of flowers forming.

                Very exciting

                Reet
                x

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                • #9
                  Being new to potato growing, I have to say thought that the following 2 conflicting messages have now confused me some more

                  Originally posted by StephenH View Post
                  I think earlies are generally ready once the plants have flowered, about the end of June.


                  Originally posted by teakdesk View Post
                  Early spuds are generally harvested before flowers have time to form and the foliage often still looks healthy
                  Which one is it please? Before or after flowering . Or is it during ?

                  Thankyou
                  Reet
                  x
                  Last edited by reetnproper; 01-06-2010, 03:26 PM. Reason: Added more text

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                  • #10
                    Some earlies don't even flower at all. I find it best to go by the length of time they've been in the ground. I reckon 12 - 14 weeks for 1st and 2nd earlies.
                    Whoever plants a garden believes in the future.

                    www.vegheaven.blogspot.com Updated March 9th - Spring

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                    • #11
                      i can never remember when i out them in , so generally rely on a quick furtle.

                      Every year I say i will write it al down in a boook and every year i forget

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                      • #12
                        I have epicure and dunluce growing in containers and not a flower to be seen but they both have many egg-sized potatoes in the compost. Get your hands dirty and have a good furtle...that's the only way to know for sure.

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                        • #13
                          Originally posted by hamsterqueen View Post
                          i can never remember when i out them in , so generally rely on a quick furtle.

                          Every year I say i will write it al down in a boook and every year i forget
                          That's why I keep a blog!
                          Whoever plants a garden believes in the future.

                          www.vegheaven.blogspot.com Updated March 9th - Spring

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                          • #14
                            desiree are lates and are far from ready so leave them well alone until at least early august. Arran pilot are earlies,but they wont be ready just yet,but try pulling some soil away from one of your arran plants,this will give you some idea as to their readiness. i think it will be anther three or four weeks before you will be eating your earlies.

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                            • #15
                              Farmers don't pull off the flowers.
                              Neither do I.
                              Whoever plants a garden believes in the future.

                              www.vegheaven.blogspot.com Updated March 9th - Spring

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