Potato Problem

[New_Potato]

Hello all, I'm new here and thought now is a good time to ask my first question, since I've already introduced my self in the 'welcome' section.

I have a slight problem with some of the spuds I'm growing. I've had my first earlies in large pots for eight weeks today and they are growing like mad! They have loads of foliage and are looking very healthy.

Last week I noticed several clusters of buds on the plants. I went to check if any of them had opened today and most of the buds had fallen off. It hasn't been particularly windy etc so I can't figure out why they have dropped off without flowering, any ideas?

The variety is Maris Bard, I've read that this is a flowering variety?

Many thanks for any help.

[SarzWix]

It's not something I've come across before but, potatoes don't need the flowers to produce potatoes, so hopefully it's nothing to worry about. If the plant has flowered, the potatoes will be swelling now, so make sure they don't dry out too much

[zazen999]

Hi

Whereabouts are you - lucky you not being anywhere near the wind....it's been windy for about 2 weeks here. If you pop your location into your profile it will help when asking questions.

And welcome to the Vine.

[New_Potato]

Hi everyone, thank you very much for your speedy replies.

I'm on the North West (Cheshire), it has been windy, but the buds only appeared last week and the wind had died down by then. Plus the potatoes are fairly sheltered where they are.

I've just been for another look and I can see new tiney buds appearing. I'll try and get some pictures up to show you...

Thank you again.

[New_Potato]

Me again, I've just gone and attempted to take some pics of the flower buds, but my camera isn't too good.
Anyway, I took some pitures of the spuds anyway, I compared them to the pictures I took last week, and is it just me, or do the plants look less healthy? They've been well watered etc...
Do you think they may be dying? I can never remember if first earlies take ten or twelve weeks...

Taken last week:



Taken today:

[tattieman]

I think your potatoes have got to the final canopy stage where the growth slows down and the plant puts its energy into producing flowers and tubers. It is maybe a good thing that the flowers have fell off as this will make the plant put more energy into the tubers. They are still a healthy green colour and I see no sign of disease.
You might have to have a furtle in a pot and see what you can find.