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Post by Deleted on Sept 24, 2015 16:26:00 GMT
Just a suggestion Roofie. When I grow my potatoes, I reduce the number of growth eyes on the seed potato. In open ground I bring it down to 3 per seed and 2 for the show spuds in 17 litre poly bags. I literally gouge them out (sounds nasty I know) as the little shoots regrow if you just rub them off the surface. This concentrates all the growth into the remaining shoots and you will get bigger potatoes as a result. Gradual topping up of the bags is a good idea too as you'll get a better crop that way. Proper seed potatoes (certified disease free are always a better bet too.
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Post by Cherry on Sept 24, 2015 16:51:08 GMT
The farmer is planting some potatoes in the middle field, but there is no irrigation, so we don't usually grow these here. I think these are a test crop for potatoes which don't need watering.
The farm was ploughed very deeply, more deeply than ever before. I was told this was to help get rid of 'black grass' which was a worry when growing cereal.
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Post by dianthus on Sept 24, 2015 17:24:42 GMT
Is he growing Carlingford for Christmas new potatoes, Cherry ?
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Post by Cherry on Sept 24, 2015 19:16:39 GMT
I will ask tomorrow dianthus. He usually gets new varieties to try. |
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Post by dianthus on Sept 24, 2015 20:41:29 GMT
ooh, let me know if he finds some good ones, Cherry |
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Post by roofgardener on Sept 24, 2015 21:06:18 GMT
Just a suggestion Roofie. When I grow my potatoes, I reduce the number of growth eyes on the seed potato. In open ground I bring it down to 3 per seed and 2 for the show spuds in 17 litre poly bags. I literally gouge them out (sounds nasty I know) as the little shoots regrow if you just rub them off the surface. This concentrates all the growth into the remaining shoots and you will get bigger potatoes as a result. Gradual topping up of the bags is a good idea too as you'll get a better crop that way. Proper seed potatoes (certified disease free are always a better bet too. I appreciate your advice @davidv. I'm not sure I fully understand it (you have to recall that I am VERY new to all this). I may tap you for information closer to the point of seeding the "next generation". Thanks again  Bear in mind that I am not planting in 'open ground' (I'm growing on an asphalt roof-terrace), but in kitchen bins. (around 3' tall, and perhaps 18 inches wide at the top) |
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Post by daisy on Aug 31, 2016 22:19:38 GMT
Planted in bags, early potatoes about 14/16 weeks ago which still haven't produced any flowers - the type is 'Jazzy'. Can anyone tell me if I should leave them or will they not flower now?
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Post by roofgardener on Sept 1, 2016 6:51:50 GMT
I can't help I'm afraid daisy. Non of my potato plants have EVER produced flowers. (they've produced lots of potato's, mind you. ) |
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Post by SueA on Sept 1, 2016 8:00:56 GMT
My potatoes rarely flower either daisy & roofgardener & I always get lots of potatoes, perhaps it's because we grow them in bags & containers. I'd have a feel around in the bag daisy & see what the potatoes feel like, if they're a nice size then lift them, I think 'Jazzy' are a salad/second early type aren't they so they should be ready, I think it's more 'maincrop' which you wait until they've flowered. My potatoes didn't get a chance to flower this year anyway mainly because the foliage was hit by blight but the potatoes are still lovely. |
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Post by daisy on Sept 1, 2016 21:33:09 GMT
Thanks roofgardener & SueA - the earlies and 2nds have in the past, had lots of flowers and a small number of potatoes - maybe it'll be opposite the opposite this time |
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Post by Rosie on Sept 2, 2016 8:06:27 GMT
My main crop haven't had that many flowers this year either, and they got blight too, I've cut the haulms off as far down as I can and have earthed them up so nothing shows above ground, should be ready to harvest in a weeks time  |
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Post by roofgardener on Sept 2, 2016 13:43:49 GMT
I'm guessing (and it IS only a guess ? ) that if the spudlink plant is busy producing flowers, then less 'energy' is going into growing the actual potatoes, and they could be smaller as a result ?
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Post by Rosie on Sept 2, 2016 18:17:37 GMT
I have heard of people cutting the flowers off spud plants to increase yield, I've never done it and generally get good crops.
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Post by daitheplant on Sept 2, 2016 19:21:03 GMT
Daisy, as Roofus says, you don`t want flowers appearing, if they do, then remove them.  You want decent spuds not seedpods.  |
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Post by dianthus on Sept 2, 2016 21:07:17 GMT
I'm guessing (and it IS only a guess ? ) that if the spudlink plant is busy producing flowers, then less 'energy' is going into growing the actual potatoes, and they could be smaller as a result ? It's not a guess, I remember talking to you about this when we saw some potatoes in flower, whilst we were at Dai's allotment site.... not in Dai's plots, of course! |
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You want decent spuds not seedpods. 
