A Potato Query!

[clive]

We have never grown potatoes and wanted to check a couple of things with more seasoned allotment growers.

I have planted Jersey Royals but they have not flowered yet will they be ok?

Also our second early potato is Maris Peer now these are flowering but the leaves at the bottom are going yellow is this something I should worry about?

Many thanks!

Clive

[Jaxom]

Bumping this question ion the hope that some one can answer.

[poultrychat]

I have first earlies which still haven't flowered whereas my second earlies charlotte have started! On the leaves yellowing I can't really help I'm afraid but if I was going to guess I would say yellowing leaves normally means a deficiency of some sort but I'm afraid I can't remember which one

[LindaS]

Hi not sure about yellowing leaves, try the following website - hope it helps!
http://www.hbci.com/~wenonah/min-def/potato.htm
I am growing Wilja (second earlies) in pots for the first time, have been told they don't always flower - I have not seen any flowering but have got some really nice potatos from it - good luck and I hope the more experienced can help with your query
Linda

[Doggler]

Some of my Maris Peer in pots have had a few yellow leaves recently. Near the bottom of the plant where I've earthed up. Looking at the link I'm wondering if it is a nitrogen deficiency or if it's just that they've got trapped under the soil. Should I be worried? They haven't flowered yet but I did plant them rather late and they do still seem to be growing.

[KGB]

Dont worry about the yellowing leaves if they are at the bottom of the stems. Just is a sign of age and possibly lack of water.

As for flowers, I remove them from all that I grow, currently 5 types, 1st, 2nd, main and salad. Read years ago in a book by an 'old timer' who said that if you leave the flowers on, the plant is using energy to make the flowers instead of growing larger spuds. Makes sense to me and only in very dry years have I had low volume of crops.

Good luckwith your growing.

[Sunbeam]

My king eds maincrop are starting to flower - at what point are they ready to dig up?

[Alice]

I don't know Sunbeam but why not have a poke around one shaw and see what the crop is like. If you're happy dig them all up. If not, leave them a while and try again. Hope they're wonderful.

[Lesley Jay]

Sunbeam main crop potatoes are ready for lifting about 22 weeks after planting.

[JennieAtkinson]

I don't think I have ever had flowers on my potato plants and I grow salads, first earlies and maincrop. My problem at the moment is blackened leaves and stalks. I assume it has been because of the wind this last week - 7 days of rather gusty wind and a Force 8 on Tuesday. Wondered whether I should scrape back a bit of soil and see how things are doing. But I only planted at the beginning of April, so probably too soon really to see anything. The first earlies seem to be the worst. Others in the bags seemed to have survived the wind (if that is the problem) better.

Any ideas of anything else that might be causing it?

[sewer rat]

Jennie
Given your situation, I too would go with wind as the cause of your blackened leaves.

[Alice]

Hello Jennie, I think the problem is probably wind and salt spray. One of my sisters lives on the Mull of Kintyre (yes, you who are old enough will remember that terrible dirge by Paul McCartney, chiels amang us willnae ken his ken). On the west coast of Scotland It's an absolutely beautiful spot - miles of sandy beach facing due west, gorgeous sunsets, first class golf course , very mild climate and wind and salt! Almost impossible to grow a garden. Even the windows are permanently salt encrusted. You might be able to nurse your potatoes along until the shaws give in (I think they call them Haulms on the forum. Never heard the word before.) Whatever, I hope you manage to rescue something of the crop.

[Lorna]

Hmm Alice,

Sounds as though your sister lives at the opposite end of that long sandy beach to where I live! We're having quite some success here with most of our fruit and veg, but our Nadine first early potatoes aren't doing a lot yet. They're about 9 inches tall and no sign of flower.

[JennieAtkinson]

Good news - everything seems to be picking up quite nicely. I picked off the black bits and now a few days later everything looks good. Although more strong winds forecast this week (had lots of wind this last 2/3 weeks). Thankfully we don't get too much salt in the wind as we are about 2 miles from the sea, but it will be in the air.

Very impressed with the potatoes I have planted in bags. They are doing very well judging by the tops.

[Alice]

Glad to hear your potatoes are ok Jennie and the bags doing well. I planted Charlotte in buckets and a dustbin. They are looking absolutely great and the ones in the dustbin are flowering. They should be ready mid July and I can't wait to see what the crop is like.