ioan

[ioan]

Hi to everyone, new member first post.
I recently had a delivery of apple trees that came well wrapped in straw
can I place this straw at the bottom of large containers for drainage purposes in my first attempt to grow spuds in pots.
I have a small amount of spuds
first vales emerald second Charlotte and main pink fir apple could you give me some advice on the correct compost to use withaview to quality over quantity.
kind regards
ioan

[veggiechicken]

Hello Ioan and welcome to the Grapevine
The straw will be OK in the bottom of the pots but it will soon start to decompose when it gets wet. You could also use it on top of the pots as a mulch over the emerging potato shoots.
Can't help you on your choice of compost though. The manufacturers seem to change the quality each year.

[Bigmallly]

Hello Ioan & welcome to the jungle. Yes you could put the straw in the bottom of your spud tubs, they are quite forgiving in their growing medium as long as they are well fed & watered.

[alldigging]

I think the straw at the bottom of a tub would be a great place for slugs to live and breed.

[Nicos]

Hi there- and welcome to the Vine!

[cariann88]

Hello and welcome to the vine

[Potstubsdustbins]

I go with alldigging on this one, it would provide a lovely wet/damp place for the little b*****s to hide and very close to a food source. Either use it as a mulch or compost it.

Jack's Magic 'peat based' is a very good compost but as with all other composts you will have to feed after 6/8 weeks. Don't forget at the end of the season keep the compost, it can be revitalised and used again next year.

[Penellype]

Hi and welcome to the vine. I agree with the above especially with regard to the slugs - they really don't need any encouragement!

[rhyswales]

I personally would use straw as a mulch rather than for drainage. I usually put a few stones or crushed pots down the bottom of containers to aid with drainage.

[Bren In Pots]

Hello and welcome to the vine ioan

[Kirk]

For potato's in pots I find that 2 part compost to 1 part manure works well enough or if easier 1 part compost to 1 part manure. Any compost so do not go buying the most expansive as they all tend to be a base mix with added fertiliser and the fertiliser is used or washed out.

Don't go too heavy on the drainage, anything in a pot tends to dry out quickly and potato's tend to be better if the soil does not dry out.

[ioan]

For potato's in pots I find that 2 part compost to 1 part manure works well enough or if easier 1 part compost to 1 part manure. Any compost so do not go buying the most expansive as they all tend to be a base mix with added fertiliser and the fertiliser is used or washed out.

Don't go too heavy on the drainage, anything in a pot tends to dry out quickly and potato's tend to be better if the soil does not dry out.

I tend to agree with kirk, cos I had in mind two parts john innes no3 and one part john innes
farmyard manure, I am trying not so much for big spuds that might be watery, but a smaller spud
with a better consistencie for taste.
the slugs I hadn't considered so thanks for pointing that out.
I am going to grow this crop, the earlies at least in the greenhouse, so my thinking for the straw
was on the lines of crop not trying out to quickly ounce it becomes compressed at the bottom
of the pots that will sit on a gravel bed.
so should I go with this formula, and find away to deal with the slugs.
or am I doomed to failure from the outset.
I wuold be interested to know your thoughts.
kind regards
ioan

[Greenleaves]

Welcome to the vine, enjoy the benefits of the advice and humour

[ancee]

A warm welcome from me too ��

[noviceveggrower]

Hello there. Welcome to the Vine