Polytunnel spuds in pots not flowering

[redser]

Hi, I planted up pots of earlies in the tunnel in early January. Reading around I should be able to harvest some now. But I haven't got any flowers yet. Has anyone got flowers that did it similar?
Thanks

[rustylady]

Not all spuds produce flowers. If they have grown well then have a furtle.

[redser]

Really!? I didn't know that, thanks. I'll get furtling so

[scarletrunner]

Not all spuds produce flowers. If they have grown well then have a furtle.

That is correct,not all varieties flower.

[Alison]

What variety are they? I grow Ulster Classic as an early and they don't really flower - mine won't be ready until the start of next month though

[gojiberry]

No sign of flowers on any of mine but they should be ready soon. Planted 14th Feb so 10 weeks takes me to 24th of this month. Will probably leave for another two weeks just to make sure. One bag got hit by frost last week but survives but will probably be put back a couple of weeks

[redser]

Actually I've forgotten. But it is either Charlotte or Annabelle. It's definately a girl's name So not Homegaurd then. Was waiting for flowers to give them a good water and feed but sure I'll have a rummage, can't wait.

[redser]

No sign of flowers on any of mine but they should be ready soon. Planted 14th Feb so 10 weeks takes me to 24th of this month. Will probably leave for another two weeks just to make sure. One bag got hit by frost last week but survives but will probably be put back a couple of weeks

Thanks. Actually I killed off a few pots. Did 10 altogether. During the heat wave they started to wilt. So I gave them all a good (REALLY GOOD) water. Some pots only had one seed spud in them. It was too much for them and the stems died. When I tipped them out the seed was mush. Pity, there were tons of tiny baby spuds ready to take off. Lesson learned ... very hot = wilting, not thirsty! The survivors had 2 or 3 seed spuds in the pots so they seem to have been able to suck up the excess water.
If I get one dinner out of them I'll be happy.

[Potstubsdustbins]

If you planted in early Jan in MPC then you should have fed them before now. MPC contain's enough nutrients to last between 5 & 6 weeks. Whack some tomorite or other high potash feed at them this will help grow the tubers and don't let them dry out as this will also effect your yield.

Colin

[scarletrunner]

Thanks. Actually I killed off a few pots. Did 10 altogether. During the heat wave they started to wilt. So I gave them all a good (REALLY GOOD) water. Some pots only had one seed spud in them. It was too much for them and the stems died. When I tipped them out the seed was mush. Pity, there were tons of tiny baby spuds ready to take off. Lesson learned ... very hot = wilting, not thirsty! The survivors had 2 or 3 seed spuds in the pots so they seem to have been able to suck up the excess water.
If I get one dinner out of them I'll be happy.

All seed potatoes turn to mush,that is normal when harvesting

[redser]

If you planted in early Jan in MPC then you should have fed them before now. MPC contain's enough nutrients to last between 5 & 6 weeks. Whack some tomorite or other high potash feed at them this will help grow the tubers and don't let them dry out as this will also effect your yield.

Colin

Thanks, I'll do that. I planted and earthed up with home made compost. The initial planting mix had some manure and blood, fish and bone mixed in so i was hoping that would see them through for a good while. Will check the moisture too. Cheers

[redser]

All seed potatoes turn to mush,that is normal when harvesting

Good to know that, thanks. But the stems on these ones had gone to mush also, so they were goners. I gave the compost a good queeze and it was sopping. Definately over-watered them.

[rustylady]

Good to know that, thanks. But the stems on these ones had gone to mush also, so they were goners. I gave the compost a good queeze and it was sopping. Definately over-watered them.

Have you got drainage holes in the pots?

[Two_Sheds]

earlies in the tunnel in early January. .. I should be able to harvest some now.

They could be ready in 9 weeks, but that's with absolutely tip-top optimum conditions ... they wouldn't have done much growing during Jan/Feb I wouldn't have thought

* but am happy to be proved wrong

[Potstubsdustbins]

I used to plant in Jan when I heated the green house, but now without heat I leave it till the back end of Feb as 2Sheds says without heat Jan/Feb is pretty much a waste of time.

This year my Swift went in their buckets on 29/02 and were all showing by the 06/04. They are all doing well (fingers crossed) and I gave them some tomorite today. It will still be mid May before I get any worth while spuds.

Colin