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Potatoes - Too much water or another issue?

DorsetMarkDorsetMark Posts: 39
in Fruit & veg
Hi All,

New to veg growing, but I thought I was doing okay with my potatoes... however now I'm concerned.
I'll put a photo below, the some of the leaves have now started turning yellow? I planted them mid-march, so I think it's too early to harvest... is the problem too much water, or another issue?

Posts

  • mrtjformanmrtjforman Posts: 331
    well the dandelion below is thriving so doubt it is too little water. I would go with too little plant feed but most likely too small a pot so the plant is rootbound. I can't see from the photo so only you would know most likely what is troubling your plant. The dandelion is not helping btw and is 'stealing' all the nutrients from the potato.
  • mrtjformanmrtjforman Posts: 331
    you will still get a decent harvest but a bit of chicken manure of high nitrogen fertilizer should help
  • DorsetMarkDorsetMark Posts: 39
    mrtjforman said:
    well the dandelion below is thriving so doubt it is too little water. I would go with too little plant feed but most likely too small a pot so the plant is rootbound. I can't see from the photo so only you would know most likely what is troubling your plant. The dandelion is not helping btw and is 'stealing' all the nutrients from the potato.
    Ahhhh sorry, I think I should have put a better photo on. The potatoe is in a grow bag, on it's own. The dandelion is on the ground on its own! The bag is quite big so shouldn't be rootbound (i hope)
    mrtjforman said:
    you will still get a decent harvest but a bit of chicken manure of high nitrogen fertilizer should help
    I will look at getting some fertilizer this weekend.
    Any idea on why hte leaves would be yellow?
  • nultyphilip224nultyphilip224 Posts: 923
    @DorsetMark,..there are many potato diseases and viruses that cause leaves to go yellow or mottled but one of the most common  is just a touch of frost,..a high possibility as you sowed in mid March,..touch wood its that simple as others are more lethal and attack potatoes not just the foliage.
    glengarry23 - YouTube
  • ShepsSheps Posts: 2,236
    @DorsetMark I agree with Nulty, it looks like a touch of frost burn, mine had the same last year.
  • DorsetMarkDorsetMark Posts: 39
    Thanks Nulty and Sheps...

    Qucik question then... I see ont he news it's meant to be a frosty b/h this weekend...

    Is there anything I could/should do in this instance? Last year was my first year growing, and I started late so cold weather wasn't an issue?

    Thanks
  • nultyphilip224nultyphilip224 Posts: 923
    @DorsetMark,..if you only have a small area of potatoes you can cover them,..not easy with a plastic covering as it needs to be propped up so it wont flatten the foliage,..there is a very lightweight gauze which is ideal,..however if you have lots of potatoes down then there isn't a lot you can do but hold your breath,..everyone who put down 'First Early Potatoes in March',..is in the same boat.

    Plant 'Second Early',..next year,.. sow in Mid April and you could well avoid the frost.

    Even better is the 'Main Crop,..sow in Mid Late April',..for a crop in August/Sept/Oct,..that's when i used to do mine,..half an Acre of them,..fit for immediate use in August but leave alone for storage by lifting in Aug/Sept

    Potatoes do require watering often,..when they are protruding above the ground they will turn green so make sure you build up the soil around them,..spray against Potato  Blight,..other than that just let them grow,..best of luck with your crop.
    glengarry23 - YouTube
  • derbyduckderbyduck Posts: 137
    nultyphilip224 said:
    @DorsetMark,..if you only have a small area of potatoes you can cover them,..not easy with a plastic covering as it needs to be propped up so it wont flatten the foliage,..there is a very lightweight gauze which is ideal,..however if you have lots of potatoes down then there isn't a lot you can do but hold your breath,..everyone who put down 'First Early Potatoes in March',..is in the same boat.

    Plant 'Second Early',..next year,.. sow in Mid April and you could well avoid the frost.

    Even better is the 'Main Crop,..sow in Mid Late April',..for a crop in August/Sept/Oct,..that's when i used to do mine,..half an Acre of them,..fit for immediate use in August but leave alone for storage by lifting in Aug/Sept

    Potatoes do require watering often,..when they are protruding above the ground they will turn green so make sure you build up the soil around them,..spray against Potato  Blight,..other than that just let them grow,..best of luck with your crop.
    can I ask what you use to spray against  potato blight  please ?  atb DD
  • DorsetMarkDorsetMark Posts: 39
    derbyduck said:
    nultyphilip224 said:
    @DorsetMark,..if you only have a small area of potatoes you can cover them,..not easy with a plastic covering as it needs to be propped up so it wont flatten the foliage,..there is a very lightweight gauze which is ideal,..however if you have lots of potatoes down then there isn't a lot you can do but hold your breath,..everyone who put down 'First Early Potatoes in March',..is in the same boat.

    Plant 'Second Early',..next year,.. sow in Mid April and you could well avoid the frost.

    Even better is the 'Main Crop,..sow in Mid Late April',..for a crop in August/Sept/Oct,..that's when i used to do mine,..half an Acre of them,..fit for immediate use in August but leave alone for storage by lifting in Aug/Sept

    Potatoes do require watering often,..when they are protruding above the ground they will turn green so make sure you build up the soil around them,..spray against Potato  Blight,..other than that just let them grow,..best of luck with your crop.
    can I ask what you use to spray against  potato blight  please ?  atb DD
    Ermmmm..... Well, I haven't. I was told by someone else how to grow potatoes easily in grow bags, and it worked okay last year, but I haven't looked into it properly in terms of... what to spray, when to plant what (i am aware there are first, second and main crop), but my research it lacking at the moment.

    They seem to be growing okay atm... well the greenery is tall and dark green?
  • derbyduckderbyduck Posts: 137
    Mark I thougt you had a found the holly grail ! atb DD.
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