Potatoes in grow bags - help!

[veggiewomble]

I hope someone here can help me. I'm completely new to growing potatoes, and I bought 5 potato grow bags from an online retailer that was having a special offer; a bit silly, really, considering that I barely have space for them now on my terrace! But anyway, I received the order several weeks late, and planted them according to the instructions that came along with the pack. None of the seed potatoes looked like they were sprouting yet when they arrived, and I planted all of them in the bags in early March.

It's now the first week of April and I have seen no sign of any shoots from the soil... is this normal, or has something gone wrong?

The potato varieties are Charlotte, King Edward, Swift... I think.

vw

[Sweepster]

How deep did you plant them? If they weren't chitted first I guess they might take a while to get going.

[veggiewomble]

No, they weren't chitted... I just followed the instructions, which said to fill the grow bag with 4" of soil, and then place the seed potato, and cover with a further 3-4" of soil.

[Sweepster]

I'd be tempted to have a furtle... just to see if they're starting to grow... but then I'm impatient

[greendean]

dont worry veggie they will soon catch up. gently dig down with your fingers to see what the potatoes are up to, be careful not to disturb any shoots.

[Rossa]

I planted my charlotte seed potatoes in plastic buckets on 15 March. Only now showing through. Takes at least 3 weeks and if you've had frost can delay them.

Is your terrace south facing? If not and they're in shade they will be cooler than in the light and getting a bit of warmth. That'll delay 'em a bit too!

[gojiberry]

Charlotte are fairly quick to sprout even without chitting so I would think that there would be a shoot fairly near the surface by now. You don't want them showing to soon as there is still a chance of frost even in London. Make sure the soil is moist and just be patient. Some I planted out 5 weeks ago and still not through yet. I have never known potatoes not to grow initially though the final crop is the important success factor. Good luck Im sure you will be enjoying a crop of potatoes in a couple of months time.

Ian

[cupcake]

Mine took nearly 3 weeks in the GH. It's been cold, they'll be ok.

[veggiewomble]

I was too impatient, I had a furtle around, and yes, the Swift potatoes ARE sprouting and doing the best of all my potatoes planted. The Charlotte is only just starting to sprout and it'll probably be a few more weeks before I see them poking through the soil. We've had a wonderful week of sunny weather in London - no more frost, fingers crossed!