Odd potato year?

[Jamesy_uk]

So, a query here or rather a ramble I guess.
My first early Rocket spuds did pretty well 2foot plus haulms and produced some nice tasty potato's however everything that came up since has been tiny, my Desiree haulms for example are quite small. It seems everyone else's plants are a good 2ft plus, lush and green and most of mine are barely 1ft and looking the worse for wear with yellowing lower leaves etc.
The seed potatoes were quite small so I think maybe that combined with it being quite dry might have done it but I literally have never watered ground sown potatoes before in my life. Oh well you live and learn I am definitely covering most of my plot with manure this winter as the soil has been like a dust bowl due to the lack of humus in it.

[newboy74]

How often should I be watering second early potatoes in this heat? I was thinking every night but don't want to rot them. Please help. Its hot in Gloucestershire and I am a potato virgin and am nervous about losing my his first crop. Information on the internet is very conflicting.... The potato flowers are out so I want to water them lots to get nice big tubers but don't know how to get the balance right

[polc1410]

Doubt you'll rot them! You'd know the ground was wet enough to do that...

Trying really hard not to water mine. But think I'll have to as the earlies were rubbish

[newboy74]

I don't get why you are trying hard not to water them. what is the advantage of not watering them- apart from rot? - blight? apologies for my ignorance

[Jamesy_uk]

I have since talked to a few old timers on the Allotment and they all say pretty much the same thing that the soil is so light all the nutrients wash away, it turns out the previous plot owner never added anything to the soil either so double whammy.

[rustylady]

How often should I be watering second early potatoes in this heat? I was thinking every night but don't want to rot them. Please help. Its hot in Gloucestershire and I am a potato virgin and am nervous about losing my his first crop. Information on the internet is very conflicting.... The potato flowers are out so I want to water them lots to get nice big tubers but don't know how to get the balance right

Where are you growing your potatoes? If they're in bags then yes you will need to water every day.

If they're in the ground then a good soak once a week is much better for them.

[Martin H]

If they're in the ground then a good soak once a week is much better for them.

That's what I do as well. I just empty buckets of water into the furrows between the earthed-up rows, once a week. This helps the tubers swell, keeps the roots searching downwards and keeps the humidity down six days out of seven.

[newboy74]

Thats great, thank you RustyLady, they are in the ground and have grass clipping mulch so are quite well protected. I almost gave in and went out and watered them just then, but thanks to you I will be brave and hold off for a few days. They are not wilting or anything so should be ok. Its just so hot at the moment. If I was in that sun all day I would fry.