Should I feed my potatoes?

[little boomey]

Last year grew some Vivaldi lates in a bag but they were v small, would feeding help and if so with what?

[Pies]

Ive done lates in a bag before and found they need plenty of food as the compost usually will only last about 6 weeks before the nutrients are used up so add vitax Q4 or similar.Also they dry out very quickly so water often, the top of the bag might be wet but the bottom could easily be ery dry


hth

[little boomey]

Thanks Pies, will file the advice away for later in the year!

[Potstubsdustbins]

This time of year I like to give them some Miracle Grow high in nitrogen so helps with the green growth.

Later when the tubers are maturing I change to tomorite high in potash to feed the tubers.

As Pies says as they mature give them plenty of water in hot weather I give my dustbins at least 2 gallons every other day. That is 2 gallons all at once to ensure the compost is thoroughly wet.

Colin

[sewer rat]

I'm growing tatties in polypots this year. I quarter fill the bag with sieved / shredded compost, then add some Vitax Q4 and some Calcified seaweed and give it a swirl round. Place seed tuber in centre of bag and fill bag with more seived / shredded compost to about an inch of the top.
I then dig a 4" deep trench in my bed, sprinkle Growmore and slug pellets along the bottom of the trench, place the filled polypots in the trench and draw the soil back around the bags to support them. The theory is that there is sufficient fertiliser in the pot to feed the plant til the roots grow down through the holes in the bottom, at which point the growmore fed soil will continue to feed the plant.

[Mantha81]

I grew potatoes in three last year to disastrous affect, however I think that was more to do with watering than anything else! This year I've got them in a planter approx 60 - 70 cm high and have earthed up twice, given generous water and will feed soon. They are growing with vigour and hope that this year will be much better! Noted the advice from the grapes on here, good thread :-P

[scarletrunner]

As other posts say,plenty of water is vital,but also is adequate drainage.

[Chef_uk]

Should a grow bag be cut a little ie poked with a penknife in a couple of places or will the growbag on its own provide plenty of drainage holes?