Potato questions?

[sarah_rance]

My poor potatoes have been beaten down by the wind and rain.

They are growing in those potatoe bag thingys and, to be honest, they were reaching triffid proportions ( the top of the foliage was up to my shoulder!). Will they be okay?

Also....

Can you tell the difference between salad spuds and larger ones by the foliage ?
Like the newbie that I am, I lost the labels on 2 of the 4 bags of spuds I have. I know one is Duke of York, and the other is a salad potato, but I have no idea which is which (duh!)

My Roosters are easily recognisable by their leaves and stems - Any ideas?

And Finally....

Do I wait for the foliage to die down before I harvest them all? Salad ones included?

Thanks Guys and apologies for the basic questions.

[Drea]

I won't pretend I know anything by trying to answer your questions. But my Red Duke of York's have snapped in the wind too

[Bigmallly]

Shove yer arm in the bag Sarah & have a furtle.

[Potstubsdustbins]

Providing the foliage has not actually snapped off they should be OK.

Your Red Duke of York are a first early should be ready in 10 to 12 weeks no need for the haulm to die back.

Your salad spuds will depend on the variety.

It is usual to wait for the haulm to die back only on maincrop spuds.


Drea, if your foliage has become detached have a furtle has suggested by BM.

Colin

[sarah_rance]

Thanks Guys

Useful stuff, I'll go rootling about and see what I find!

[cazp]

Can you tell the difference between salad spuds and larger ones by the foliage ?
Like the newbie that I am, I lost the labels on 2 of the 4 bags of spuds I have. I know one is Duke of York, and the other is a salad potato, but I have no idea which is which (duh!)

I have the same problem with two buckets - I think I may have earthed up over the labels but didn't delve down to find out in case I broke the plants.

[Florence Fennel]

Furtling is really the best way to tell if they're ready because you don't damage the stems and if they're not big enough to harvest, they'll carry on growing.

[Peas'n'Kews]

Oooh all this furtling......

Our spuds (well, the OH's) are in bag-thingies too and are definatley pretending to be triffids. We did tip one bag out without furtling and regretted it.

Furtlin is the way forward!

[shona_b]

i was told that once earlies flower they are likely to be ready - any truth in his one? with maincrop I was told to remove any flowers......there is always advice to be had at the allotment.....just not sure if all of it is correct!!

[Two_Sheds]

the other is a salad potato, but I have no idea which

Salad potatoes can be early, 2nd early, maincrop or even late maincrop (Pink Fir Apple)

Save the labels !

[Two_Sheds]

i was told that once earlies flower they are likely to be ready

It's not a good indicator, no. Some varieties don't flower at all

[shona_b]

beter get "furtling" then! Thanks

[Pecora Nera]

I have potatoes growing in clay, well I hope they are growing. They have little white flowers. Can anyone please tell me when to dig them up. Do I wait for the flowers to die?


Many Thanks

Pete
Italy

[shona_b]

I have potatoes growing in clay, well I hope they are growing. They have little white flowers. Can anyone please tell me when to dig them up. Do I wait for the flowers to die?


Many Thanks

Pete
Italy

I don't suppose you know the variety or type of potatoes you are growing and when they were planted? there are generic "weeks" from planting until harvesting for different types of potatoes.