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potatoes

Gerry 3Gerry 3 Posts: 4
in Fruit & veg
Type your message I'm growing some potatoes in a large pot, I've got flowers coming on few gone over, leaves are green so when do I harvest them? I'm a bit confused as some say whele flowers are out some say when flowers are gone over, Thanks Gerry 

Posts

  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 17,618
    What type of potato are they? Earlies would not normally be ready yet. I would cut the flowers off to divert energy to the tubers. keep feeding and watering, in another month I would expect earlies to be ready.
  • SkandiSkandi Posts: 1,723
    edited June 2019
    It depends what type you want (and have planted) I'm harvesting new potatoes now (solist), but the plants have not even begun to think about flowering, if you want small potatoes with flake off skins no need to wait for even a hint of a flower, ferret around once they get about 40cm tall and see how big they are. Unless you want to store them stick your hand down and see if you think they are big enough to eat, if you want to store them let the plant start to die down (or get frosted whichever comes first) then pull them.
  • cornellycornelly Posts: 970
    It is normal to wait until the flowers have gone over, if the potatoes are to be stored, if little potatoes are the desire then lift now, ours are just coming into flower.
  • Womble54Womble54 Posts: 348
    I’ve just pulled up my first tub of 1st earlies. (My first attempt at growing potatoes). The flowers had just opened. Disappointing crop from the size of tub. There’s a few decent size and some tiny ones. Quite a few near the bottom had rotted. The tops looked healthy and got pretty big.



    I’ve got one more tub of 1st earlies. And 2 of 2nd earlies. If I had rotten ones in this tub, should I pull up the other tub sooner rather than later? Have I watered too much?

    Any other potato tips much appreciated.


  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    How many rotten ones? 
    The ones you planted are usually rotten by now. Could it be them?

    I think that’s a reasonable haul from one tub ... it’s just they’re a bit small ... if you leave the others growing a bit longer you should get a heavier crop. 

    As as long as the tubs have plenty of drainage holes overwatering shouldn’t be a problem ... they need a fair bit of water at this stage but don’t let the compost get boggy. 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • Womble54Womble54 Posts: 348
    Thanks. Maybe they could have been the seed potatoes that rotted. I’ll leave the other tub and see how they go. I’m guessing the 2nd earlies need a lot longer.
  • DovefromaboveDovefromabove Posts: 88,147
    Yep 👍 

    Gardening in Central Norfolk on improved gritty moraine over chalk ... free-draining.





  • BenCottoBenCotto Posts: 4,718
    Did you note when you planted the potatoes, Gerry? Earlies are harvestable after 10 to 11 weeks, second earlies need at least two weeks more and maincrop potatoes should be given as a minimum two further weeks.
    Rutland, England
  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 17,618
    Has that red tub got plenty of drainage holes in it?
  • Gerry 3Gerry 3 Posts: 4
    Gerry 3 said:
    Type your message I'm growing some potatoes in a large pot, I've got flowers coming on few gone over, leaves are green so when do I harvest them? I'm a bit confused as some say whele flowers are out some say when flowers are gone over, Thanks Gerry 

    I've not go a clue as to what the Potatoes are having got rid of the instructions, Just been having a look at them, The flowers are all out plants are looking really healthy, If ready to Harvest no probs But I thought the flowers had to die off first?  But it seems they don't, Gerry 

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