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Post by Moonlight on Jun 23, 2013 0:06:24 GMT
Back from the Wedding Reception. Girls are in bed. Been down to the greenhouse and I back up again noticed the wind has blown the fence panel down.
Show day tomorrow (or today depending on how precise I need to be).
My potatoes are not dug and so are not washed. Could be a bit of a problem time wise? I don't know.
Girls have made scones and taken pictures of Little Legs and Minstrel. The potato pots at the ready.
We have started the kites but if they don't get done then so be it.
That's it one the updates, time for bed. I need an early night because we have the show to get ready and go to in the morning.
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Post by Tel on Jun 23, 2013 6:00:50 GMT
Have a lovely family day, at the show.  |
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Post by Cherry on Jun 23, 2013 6:11:06 GMT
Tell us the good news as soon as you return and while having your cuppa.
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Post by Moonlight on Jun 23, 2013 6:36:16 GMT
I am up and I've been out. Everyone else are soundo. I have 5 pick able sweet peas, (Always a long shot) lots of pansys, some Sweet Williams and fuchsias. I am nervous being outside with the fence panel down with next doors big dog potentially outside at any moment. Hanging baskets don't have enough flower on for me.
I want to tip my potatoes but I did want to share the moment with the rest of the family. Last night I was reminded emphatically not to tip the potatoes onto the lawn.
I'm ok, very thirsty food from last night was really salty. Maybe I should have my 1st cuppa now.
Doors to the show open at 9, the kites are not by any stretch of the imagination finished, last time for registration is 11 and all out of the hall for 11.30.
Betta crack on with the 
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Post by Moonlight on Jun 23, 2013 8:31:46 GMT
Girls have been helping me with the potatoes. 2 potato bags x2 tiny potatoes and 2 very angry ants nests.
 We have left them to it for a bit. They look like salad potatoes and the Maris Piper are a nicer looking variety than the Golden Wonder which in my opinion look a bit manky.
Next year I will put only 2 seed potatoes in. Ideally I would put 1 but maybe they won't grow. Logic 1 plant = more room to grow bigger than 4. More room to grow = potantially bigger potatoes next year.
Once the ants calm down I'll have another look at the Maris Piper.
Yes I am disappointed but still very much a beginner but live and learn. Tiny Steps.
Next year.
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Post by markb on Jun 23, 2013 10:07:32 GMT
Hi Moonlight, good luck at the show today.
This is my first try at growing potatoes for show and the information I was given is as follows:
Use a 17-litre 'polybag' or an equivalent size pot (about 14in wide and deep).
Place 1-2in of multi-purpose compost in the bottom of the bag and add a small handful of a general fertiliser (Growmore, Vitax Q4, or blood, fish & bone, etc) and mix into the compost.
Place one seed potato on top of this compost making sure it has no more than three growing shoots. (The more shoots the smaller the potatoes). Then fill the bag/pot right to the top with more multi-purpose compost and water well.
Place the bag into a shallow trench in the garden which has also had some fertiliser applied to it. Cover the base of the bag with soil around the outside, the idea being that the roots grow out of the bottom of the bag and into the soil beneath.
Allow at least 12 weeks for most show spuds - possibly longer in a dull year like this - and cut down the tops about two weeks before your show and move the bags somewhere dry. This is to allow the skins to harden, making them easier to clean.
My first show is not until August 10th so the potatoes will be left to grow until around mid July.
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Post by Moonlight on Jun 23, 2013 22:47:27 GMT
Bit of a full on day. Major shocker really.
I can't remember the times but when HH came in I was able do a 'tag' and so he took over the encourage the girlies to hurry up and finish decorating their kites. I escaped outside and armed with scissors looked for anything with flowers on it. Anything pretty and it was snipped. 1 Cardinal rose bloom, some Sweet Williams, pansys and of blue lobelia. That was all that I could muster. Didn't have the heart to snip any fuchsias. My hanging baskets looked a bit bashed but we still took 1. It is difficult because I have 2 hanging baskets that are going to be really lovely. They have only just started to come out and I didn't want to waste what will look lovely come September just because I wanted to have an entry in the class.
Ran out of time, kites were considered as good as they were going to get, so we packed up and set off, with me holding my glass with pansys and sweet peas. Kites, photos and scones in with the girls and their potato buckets in the boot with my hanging basket. I had even took some of my Maris Piper potatoes in a bag on the grounds of I may as well. I was not going to enter any classes but excited about the girlies.For some unknown reason his mobile kept playing the ring tone which made the journey stressful but not as stress as it became when there was a thud in the boot where one of the potato buckets had fallen over. I tried to reassure everyone that their roots would hold all the soil packed together and anything that did fall out wouldn't matter because it is only the potatoes that get weighed not the bucket. Then we went over a bump and I spilt water over me from the vase / glass that I was holding.
I was just finishing getting the girls registered when HH came up and said that I might want to put some in after all. There were no vegetables at all. Or roses. So that was it 1 very mad dash and I entered 3 classes. Mine was the only entry in the vegetables Novice class, my rose was 1 of 2 entries and there ended up being three entries to the vase of mixed flowers.
I got a 3rd for the mixed flowers, 2nd for my rose and a Highly Commended for my potatoes (I wasn't expected to get a 1st/2d/3rd because they were so small.) I couldn't add my hanging basket it only had a few flowers on it and 2 of them fell off when the potato bucket had fallen into it.
I'll add photos of mine and the girls tomorrow because I am falling asleep here and need to go to bed.
If you put all the controversy of the Children's Potato challenge to one side, I am really happy and proud of how well we all did. No 1sts but I don't care, I wasn't even going to bother entering. I don't care about the Novice cup at all now but next year. Next Year I will be back big time.
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Post by Cherry on Jun 24, 2013 5:55:20 GMT
Congratulations to you and the girls Moonlight.  You have had your own challenges and success and learnt a lot in the process. |
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Post by Moonlight on Jun 24, 2013 8:35:55 GMT
Congratulations to you and the girls Moonlight. You have had your own challenges and success and learnt a lot in the process.
Thanks Cherry, totally right there and it isn't just me on the learning front.   |
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Post by sweetpea on Jun 24, 2013 8:52:52 GMT
I did do a lengthy response to your controversy post last night but I think I was too tired and pressed the wrong button and it disappeared into cyberspace.  You are gaining experience all the time and come next year you will make your mark I am sure. The girls too. One of the secrets (well not a secret really) is to plan as far ahead as possible. Sometimes the schedules don't get published early enough but the previous year's schedule is uaually a good guide as they don't tend to vary much. Anyway, well done to you all. |
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Post by Moonlight on Jun 24, 2013 9:30:27 GMT
Thanks Markb, so we are on similar potato show paths.
These are the things that I have learnt / decided to try next year. A lot of what I have done is had a go with what I have. I don't have a big garden or allotment (which for me is a good thing) and I don't have a plan. I haven't got a clue and I am making it up as I go along. Live and learn, I think must become my motto.
I don't recall what size my polybag grow bags are bought I bought them because I need the flexibility of being able to move them into better positions. Inside my unheated greenhouse when the weather was pants and outside when it warmed up a bit. They were also moved a couple of times in the garden itself when they needed to be. I didn't give them any fertilizer at the beginning but they have been in a mixture of general purpose compost and well rotted manure. It wasn't until they had grown tall and leafy that I gave them a sprinkle with potato feed granules and a bit of a water with maxi crop seaweed fertiliser.
I worried about quantities, timings and what to use re. feeding.
Chitting I found quite stressful because only 2 of my varieties chitted the 3rd did eventually but they didn't get planted until much later. I didn't cut them down until the morning of the show and my Golden Wonder looked rubbish compared with my Maris Piper. If they hadn't been so tiny I would have been very happy with them. I found the array of boxes and the different varieties quite stressful because I don't get the whole main crop / earlies business. Next year I am going to grow Maris Piper again but probably Kestrel and Winston because Derrick mentions them in his Show master class articles. I'd grow Desiree because it is a variety that I have heard of but if it is prone to scab disease then I am not going to risk it.
I like the idea about planting the bag in soil to give the root roots the opportunity to grow with more space. I am not sure if I can do this yet because I don't know what is going to grow and where yet.
The timing of the chop back bit is something that I need to think about nearer the time.
My 3rd variety that I have still growing for the dedicated potato Novice class (this time it was my entry for the vegetable class, next time there is a veggie and potato class) is Pink Fir Apple. Party because Steve suggested it, partly because of the name and partly because it is quirky. I quirky bit like me, really.
My next show is 8th September. Good luck again on yours, I'll read your updates with great interest.
Positive thoughts all round really.
Hi Moonlight, good luck at the show today.
This is my first try at growing potatoes for show and the information I was given is as follows:
Use a 17-litre 'polybag' or an equivalent size pot (about 14in wide and deep).
Place 1-2in of multi-purpose compost in the bottom of the bag and add a small handful of a general fertiliser (Growmore, Vitax Q4, or blood, fish & bone, etc) and mix into the compost.
Place one seed potato on top of this compost making sure it has no more than three growing shoots. (The more shoots the smaller the potatoes). Then fill the bag/pot right to the top with more multi-purpose compost and water well.
Place the bag into a shallow trench in the garden which has also had some fertiliser applied to it. Cover the base of the bag with soil around the outside, the idea being that the roots grow out of the bottom of the bag and into the soil beneath.
Allow at least 12 weeks for most show spuds - possibly longer in a dull year like this - and cut down the tops about two weeks before your show and move the bags somewhere dry. This is to allow the skins to harden, making them easier to clean.
My first show is not until August 10th so the potatoes will be left to grow until around mid July. No 4 POTATOES
This is the fourth article in a series intended to help newcomers to the show bench.
The articles are not only about showing but they give beginners the basic knowledge to grow vegetables to a high standard.
PREPARING THE GROUND
For those who missed the first article in this series I would say that I grow most of my vegetables on a 4 year crop rotation.Potatoes are grown on their own because they prefer a lower pH than other crops[about 5-6].No lime therefore should be added to the potato plot because this will raise the pH.A high pH also encourages the fungal disease scab.Potatoes infected by scab which only affects the skin can be used in the kitchen but they are no use on the show bench.
The plot is dug over in the winter and I incorporate as much manure as I can spare.Just before plantinga dressing of 4 oz per square yard[100 grams per square metre]of general fertiluser such as growmore or fish,blood and bone is raked in unless the soil test tells me otherwise.
BUYING AND CHITTING THE "SEED"
It is important that you buy your potatoes from a reliable supplier.They will have been grown specially for planting and be free from virus.Most garden centres have a reasonable selection and several seed merchants supply them.Many horticultural societies also sell them to their members.
Buy them as soon as they are available,usually in January.You need to start them into growth byby standing them in shallow trays or egg boxes with the end with most eyes around it uppermost.This is called "chitting"The trays should be put in a light ,frost free place.I put them on the top shelf in the greenhouse or on the windowsill in the spare bedroom.
PLANTING OUT
I usually plant mine towards the end of April.By this time there should be several short sturdy shoots on each tuber.I think that for exhibition purposes these shoots should be reduced to 3 or 4.The more shoots you have the more potatoes you get but the smaller they will be.
The tubers are planted one foot apart[300mm.]in rows 2 feet[600 mm ]apart .I take out a trench a spades depth and put a layer of lawn mowings in the bottomand place the potatoes on top.This helps to keep the skins clean.When filling in the trenches add as much organic matter as you can -old potting compost or growbag compost before putting back the soil.Don,t use mushroom compost because this contains lime.I also scatter slug pellets along the trenches.
GROWING IN BUCKETS AND POLYTHENE BAGS
The reason for adding so much organic matter is that it improves the texture of the skin.One method of growing them in entirely organic matter is to grow them in tubs,buckets or polythene bags.I find that the skins are definately smoother using this method.I have some 5 gallon[23 litre]plastic buckets but if you have no large buckets, polythene bags[made from thick black polythene]can be used.I usually make my own compost to fill the buckets by using old potting compost and adding 12 oz.per bushel[8 gals]of vitax Q4.On potato is planted in each bucket.Leave about 6 inches from the top for adding more compost later.
GROWING ON
Within a few weeks the shoots will be seen pushing through the soil or compost.As they grow it is usual to draw the soil round the shoots to support them and ensure that the potatoes do not go green.If growing in buchets,add more compost.
The next thing we have to worry about is potato blight.This is the most serious potato disease.It starts as brown patches on the leaves in damp weather.If it is not contoled it spreads down the stems and infects the tubers.If this happens it is difficult to control so prevention is better than cure.For many years I grew my potatoes in someone elses garden and never saw the disease at all.When I lost this garden I got an allotment and the first year the disease struck while I was on holiday in July.Imagine my shock when I returned to find the leaves all going brown.Now I spray with copper fungicide or dithane 945 in June and again in July and this usually does the trick.
It is important to keep the ground watered in dry weatherand I give 2 or 3 feeds with maxicrop during the growing season.I also remove the flowers as I want the energy of the plant to go to develop the tubers and not flowers and fruit.I occasionally sprinkle more slug pellets between the plants.
HARVESTING
I normally enter my first show in the third week in August.I cut down the haulms and dig them up about a week before the show.This gives time for the skins to harden their skins.This makes them easier to wash without damaging them.
Lift them with a forktrying to get right under the plant so that all the potatoes are lifted at once.Putting the fork in too near the plant increases the chance of piercing the best tubers.I always manage to pierce some in spite of being careful.You need to dig enough up to get a matching set for the show.Some people dig fresh potatoes for each show and this is probably the best way.However I dont grow enough to do this so I dig them all up at once in order to have as many as possible to choose from when matching them into sets.
When they are all dug up I dig the ground over again because I always miss some
When they are all harvested I sort out the potential show specimens and put them in a bucket of water and carefully wash them with a soft sponge and dry with a towel.It is important to get rid of any soil from the eyes.It is also important not to expose the tubers to light any longer than necessary or they will turn green making them usless for showing.If you cant sort them immediately keep them in the dark.
SORTING AND STAGING
Points are awarded for condition,size,shape,eyes and uniformity.Size does not mean"the bigger the bettr".The recommended size is about6 oz.[170 grams]and that is a medium sized tuber.Uniformity refers to colour and shape as well as size.The judge will be looking for a uniform set of medium sized,shapely,clear skinned tubers with eyes few and shallow.
The number of tubers required for an exhibitis usually 4 or 5.When selecting a matching set I put them all on the kitchen table.Any that are damaged in any way,have rough skins or deep eyes ,a bad shape,too big or too small are used in the kitchen[keeps the wife happy!]
Some shows have a class for the "heaviest potato".It is only weight that counts in this case so it doesn,t matter about the other qualities.If you have one that may qualify it is worth keeping.
When the sets have been selected,each potato is wrapped in kitchen paper and each set is wrapped in aluminium foil to exclude light.As an added precaution I put the sets in boxes and keedp them in a dark place until the show.I take them to the show in these boxes.Once I reach the show I put the potatoes on a white plate with the eyes pointing outwards and put a card in front with the name of the cultivar.Some shows insist that cultivars are named and I was once disqualified for forgetting to do this.It is a good idea to place a sheet of foil or paper over the exhibit till just before judging,then disappear while the judge is at work and just hope you get the red card.
AFTER THE SHOW
It is better if you can dig fresh tubers for each show but I have to make the same tubers last all season.When I bring them home I wrap them up as before and keep them in the darkuntil the next show.I then have to examine and sort them out again because the number required for an exhibit may not be the same.Kept cool and dark the same tubers last all season.
CULTIVARS
Not every cultivar of potato is suitable for exhibition but there are a few "bankers"that are seen time and time agaun.Potatoes are classed as first earlies,second earlies and main crops.Most of those used for showing are first or second earlies.They are also classified as white or coloured,Coloured cultivars are sometimes uniformly pink like "desiree" or "maxine".Sometimes it is only the eyes that are coloured as in "cara"or "kestrel".If there is any colour round the eyes the cultivar is classified as "coloured"for show purposes.Nearly all shows have seperate classes for white and coloured.Some shows have a class for 2 plates,one white and coloured or for dishes of different cultivars.
Because I have limited space I only grow 3 cultivars.My 3 "bankers"are Winston[white],Maxine and Kestrel[both coloured.Other ones I have had success with in the past are Nadine and Pentland javelin[both white] and Desiree and Vanessa[both coloured].Desiree is prone to scab disease so it is better grown in buckets of compost.
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Post by Moonlight on Jun 24, 2013 9:34:03 GMT
I did do a lengthy response to your controversy post last night but I think I was too tired and pressed the wrong button and it disappeared into cyberspace. You are gaining experience all the time and come next year you will make your mark I am sure. The girls too. One of the secrets (well not a secret really) is to plan as far ahead as possible. Sometimes the schedules don't get published early enough but the previous year's schedule is uaually a good guide as they don't tend to vary much. Anyway, well done to you all. |
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Post by sweetpea on Jun 24, 2013 10:01:51 GMT
I think my aim now is to get you up to show standard ML There is a lot of good advice in derek's article that you could utilise but as with everything you can amend various bits to suit your particular circumstances. One thing I would ask you to do is put QUALITY over QUANTITY every time. This also means that you don't need a massive garden or allotment to do well as you concentrate your efforts on less items so they get more individual attention. More on that later. |
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Post by markb on Jun 24, 2013 12:18:13 GMT
Well done, Moonlight. Every show you enter is more experience which you can take forward to your next show. One of the hardest things I found when I first started - apart from stressing over what I could enter! - was allowing enough time to stage. Now, whenever possible I stage the night before and return on the show day to check things over.
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Post by Moonlight on Jun 24, 2013 12:29:40 GMT
I did do a lengthy response to your controversy post last night but I think I was too tired and pressed the wrong button and it disappeared into cyberspace. You are gaining experience all the time and come next year you will make your mark I am sure. The girls too. One of the secrets (well not a secret really) is to plan as far ahead as possible. Sometimes the schedules don't get published early enough but the previous year's schedule is uaually a good guide as they don't tend to vary much. Anyway, well done to you all.  I'm lucky Spring show 2014 6th April, Summer show 29th June and Autumn 7th September....... all Sundays.
So really I have no excuses for being late on the planting. |
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You have had your own challenges and success and learnt a lot in the process. 
