no potatoes :-(

[maisiem]

Hi all

Wonder if you can advise what I have done wrong with my rocket potatoes.

Due to the cold weather I planted 3 potatoes in each potato bag (after chitting) in the greenhouse on 21st April. They have remained in there and have masses of leaves and have flowered. They were planted in fresh compost and had potato fertiliser added.

They are due to be harvested on Friday so I decided to have a nosey yesterday. Aftrr a quick furtile around I couldn't feel any spuds so decided to empty one and see what was going on. I had 5 smsll spuds about the size of cherry toms and absolutely nothing elese, not even any sign that had I left them any longer I would have anything else. There were no tiny spuds at all waiting to form. It was almost like some of the seed potatoss decided to grow foliage but not spuds. The seed potatoes looked fine when I rooted through.

What has gone wrong? I have 3 more bags in the greenhouse and loads outside (rocket, charlotte and desiree) which also look like they are doing great, but given these ones also looked fab by their haulms I am not convinced I am going to get a crop.

[rustylady]

You're trying to harvest way too early. They have only been growing for nine weeks!

[kathyd]

My earlies in the polytunnel were exactly the same maisiem, with pea-sized potatoes and lots of top growth and flowers. I watered them and waited a bit longer, and then found I had potatoes big enough to eat... I planted mine mid-Feb, and only dug up the first 'proper' ones a couple of weeks ago... Don't forget everything's later and slower this year. I bet if you leave them for longer you'll have plenty of spuds. My outside earlies are still exactly that - still outside (but not very early lol )! I've not even tried furtling yet. And half of them haven't grown anyway. It's just (another) one of those years I'm starting to expect...

[maisiem]

Thanks both of you.

Have realised now I counted from 21 march by mistake hence me getting 13-14 weeks, what a ding bat!!!! I shsll leave well alone until the end of July.

Would it be ok to move them outside now as I need the space in my greenhouse for my tomatoes?

[rustylady]

Yes, move them outside. Make sure they have enough water, and it wouldn't hurt to give them a feed.

[Kirk]

I would add either some composted manure or a good helping of chicken pellets. Potato's need a good amount of nutrients and the additions to compost wash out pretty quick.

[maisiem]

I put in potato fertiliser in the original compost and then as I earthed them up I put in some more. Will give them another top dressing of fertiliser, move them outside and let the rain get them tomorrow as forecast. I have been watering them regularly whilst they have been in the greenhouse.

[rustylady]

Even if it rains you may have to water them, as the foliage will deflect a lot of the rainwater.

[darcyvuqua]

Yes, move them outside. Make sure they have enough water, and it wouldn't hurt to give them a feed.

But if there in pot also make sure that there's enough drainage holes too

[Potstubsdustbins]

The haulm of spuds in containers is the best umbrella invented. Do not rely on rain to water them. Also do not rely on whether the top of the compost is wet, water them profusely so that the water runs out of the drainage holes, I use a two gallon bucket for my dustbins.

At this stage of growth a good dose of miracle grow or other high potash fertiliser would be a benefit.

Potty

[mrbadexample]

I also had an impatient furtle yesterday to find 4 small spuds. Mine have been in since 11th April, so about 10½ weeks. Variety is Vanessa. They're just flowering. Any idea how much longer I've got to wait?

[maisiem]

Thanks for all your helpful replies.

I have moved the remaining three bags outside, gave them a good feed and then watered all my potato bags (I have been doing that twice weekly anyway so hopefully they are okay on that front). I will let you know how I get on at the end of July when I unearth one of the bags I moved today.

[Two_Sheds]

I would add either some composted manure or a good helping of chicken pellets. Potato's need a good amount of nutrients

Manure doesn't supply much feed, certainly less than comfrey, and chook pellets are on the alkaline side (not good if your soil is prone to scab).

I think we place far too much emphasis on manure. Beginners are led to believe they must throw masses of manure at their plots.

This is interesting:
"Treatment of soil with 25, 50 and 100% farm yard manure (FYM) significantly retarded the growth and development of the crop while 12.5% significantly enhanced growth" (my emphasis)
http://www.academicjournals.org/ajb/...0and%20Abu.pdf

watered all my potato bags (I have been doing that twice weekly anyway ).

Keep them comfortable, not over-wet. Spuds benefit from a potash feed when they're starting to produce tubers. I use comfrey feed.

[BUFFS]

i grow mine in half dustbins and i give each tub a gallon of water a day,it drains thru and is diverted to the veg patch,so none wasted,but the difference you would not believe,i used to get a sackful from my tubs,more water and time given means i almost double that now..

[Potstubsdustbins]

MBE both my RDoY and LadyC took 13 to 14 weeks this year before I got a decent harvest.

As to fertiliser there is a lot of difference between growing in the ground which can be properly prepared and growing in containers.

All containers will need extra fertiliser as growth proceeds in order to obtain a good crop. Those who don't follow this rule are doomed to failure.

Potty