Flowers cut off my potatoes?!?!

[Mintygreen]

Went to the lottie last night, when watering I noticed almost all the flowers had been cut off of my early spuds, save for about 5 acutal flowers. My other 2 types of earlies and mains are all fine!

This is my first year growing anything in the ground so im not sure if i should have done this for myself? If someone has done it trying to be helpful as it needed to be done? Or for some other reason? Im at a loss really!!!

[chris]

There's two schools of thought on it.

Some people will say that by taking the flower heads off you save the plant energy, rather than it putting energy into flowering/creating seeds it should be pushing energy into swelling / forming tubers.

Others (myself included - I did an experiment to compare by taking some off and leaving some on) don't - I've not noticed any difference personally. I collected the seed, hoping to grow my own "strain" of cross.

[chris]

..oh just to add - flowering in them is a sign that tubers are starting to form Could be an "oldie" giving you a helping hand? I'd ask them why, personally though.

[Mintygreen]

thanks chris, I had read that that was the case so was going to do the same as you, try cutting some off and leaving some on to compare the diff. But surely they would have taken them all off if they were to do any at all!!!
Im hoping it was someone being nice as i do appreciate the help, I Just do know who it would have been!!

[Florence Fennel]

I'd be annoyed if someone cut the flowers off my plants, that's trespassing as well as interference. Advice yes, action no thank you.

[chris]

Indeed, it may be worth politely explaining that you would rather them not touch your plot. I had one person "help" me, by cuting down a really nicely shaped sloe bush - when I wanted it. This person may "help" you out in the future.

If they scoff at you, simply explain that you wanted the flowers left on [for whatever reason - new strain?] -- most people are decent and they were probably honsetly trying to help. Some though (*cough* my plot neighbours on one I'm leaving) are dead set in their ways.

[rustylady]

I agree with Flo regarding interference. I have a "helpful" lady on the next plot to mine - she is a really nice person and we get on well but she doesn't grow things the same way as I do. I have explained to her that I am happy for her to help herself to salad leaves (I have loads), but I really do not want her to water my crops.

[Suky]

Are you sure they were cut off as when they drop the little stem sticks up and can look like it was cut. Not all potatoes set seed.

[Flummery]

They sometimes just snap off. I find it hard to get set seeds because of this. Might just be a natural phenomenon.

[Snadger]

I thought it was only Morticia Adams that cut the heads off flowers?

[Mintygreen]

Well now im not sure, although they were all there on monday evening, then most of them gone tuesday, would they all have dropped off that quick?
the stems that are left are sticking up as you said Suky but all exactly the same height, i know nature can be bewildering but maybe not that much!!!
and just to top it off went to the lottie last night to find some has stolen most of the greenhouse frame i have been waiting to put up!!!!

[Aberdeenplotter]

They sometimes just snap off. I find it hard to get set seeds because of this. Might just be a natural phenomenon.

Yups, the flower stems are quite brittle and they can just drop.

[Jardiniere]

my potato flowers are dropping off too leaving a little stem and nobody has been on my plot to do that! I'm assuming its a natural phenomenon (love that word)

[Maccabee]

..oh just to add - flowering in them is a sign that tubers are starting to form

Not to start a row or anything, and not really 'on-topic', but i thought the two weren't connected.

[Aberdeenplotter]

Not to start a row or anything, and not really 'on-topic', but i thought the two weren't connected.

they aren't, it's just a sign of how far the plant has developed and spuds are usually ready shortly after the flowers. Nobody rows on here, we just have exchanges of of ideas