Potatoes

[Gordon D]

A quick question about potatoes as this is the first time I've grown them.

They are 'foremost' and were planted on 3/6/14. Do you think they are ready to harvest yet? I've been on holiday the last week and the stems have started to droop (my brother has been popping round to water everything though).

If they are ready - what would be the best way to store them?



Many thanks


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[Fleurisa]

First earlies require a minimum of 12 weeks from planting before harvesting

[Potstubsdustbins]

I would have a guess they are not getting enough water. Put your hand down into the compost and see if it is as wet down near the roots as it is on the surface. Also by now the compost will be devoid of nutrients they will need a feed.

[teakdesk]

Agree with Pots! When growing in containers it is very, very, VERY easy to let the centre of the compost dry out. Then water runs down the side and out so you (or your brother) mistakenly thinks they have enough water!

Don't forget to feed.

The top growth looks healthy, although too much! I've been known to tie foliage to stakes in the past... you want to ensure a long growing season for the roots by keeping the top healthy.

Lastly, are they shaded? Excess growth could be the plants searching for light?

[Two_Sheds]

the stems have started to droop

probably drought, or maybe overwatering (most plants die of overwatering rather than under-)

Spuds generally take 3 months from seed to dinner plate

[Bill HH]

A tip I as given is to water your potatoes until you think they have had enough, then do it again.

By 3/6/14 do you mean 6th March ? In which case they are probably ready/ but if you mean the 3rd June then they have quite a way to go.

[Gordon D]

Thanks for all the advice!! The soil was completely dry in the middle so I'm assuming the waters just running down the edges like Teakdesk mentioned. Is there a way to avoid this?

What is it best to feed potatoes with?

I knew I had a late start this year but thought I'd planted them earlier than the beginning of June. But that's what I've got on the label so I'll give them a look in just over a month of so.


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[teakdesk]

It happens very commonly.

It is easy to forget that the plant is drawing its water from the centre(ish) of the container and losing it due to respiration.

Damp compost readily soaks up more water but dry compost doesn't; so watering often only waters the damp bits making the dry bits even drier.

Doing as others will suggest is a good method... stand the containers in a tray or box or something and water into this outer container. Water will be drawn up. Keep watering until no more is drawn up.

If you know the rootball is dry then keep watering for much longer...

[Potstubsdustbins]

To kick them of with water. Half fill a 2 gallon bucket and pour it in all in one go. Most of this will run through but at least you will have covered the complete surface of the compost. Leave it for and hour or so and repeat this will start to rehydrate the compost. Leave over night and give it a full two gallon bucket if you can get it in. The next day give them a gallon of tomorite mixture or something similar.

The haulms on all my spuds have been large this year it seems a general trend due to the weather so nothing to really worry about.

[salilah]

As mentioned on another thread, I put my Foremost in on 20 April - the haulms are yellow and floppy (but not being eaten - the slugs / whatever seem to prefer the other varieties!) - dug last night and had some good sized potatoes and a fair number of small ones
I think as mentioned this year has seen the haulms going much faster than previously - mine were flowering a few weeks ago! I do need to water more, and feed probably, as most of the haulms are very floppy now, which is a problem for the main crops....

[Richard Eldritch]

Watering spuds in bags is tricky, If you have some open soil try planting the bags4 inches deep into the ground as the roots will grow out and get extra water and nutrients. I don't have open soil myself so next year I'm putting all the bags into trays so that the waterr can soak up into the bag.