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Tatties

Brycey DBrycey D Posts: 53
in Fruit & veg

Hi

have been growing chitted potatoes since March ( first earlies- no idea of variety) The haulms look strong and healthy as do the leaves, however, bit concerned that its now July and no sign of flowers apart from one or two plants out of about 20....is it still early, should I have a careful rummage around to see whats happening, or is nature telling me I'm rubbish. Thanks

 

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  • sotongeoffsotongeoff Posts: 9,802

    Some do not flower-what is the variety?-I would dig up one and see what you have

  • NetherfieldNetherfield Posts: 120

    Have a look, if in the ground pull away some soil and see whats there, if in tubs put your hand in and feel down below, if you can find some decent sized ones pull them out and try to leave the rest to grow on a little longer.

  • daituomdaituom Posts: 83

    I agree with the said advice Brycey, rummage around and find out what`s under them.

  • flowergirl4flowergirl4 Posts: 60

    Netherfield....I didnt know you could just take out the ones that are a good size and leave the rest to grow some more..mine are in bags and they are charlottes but they really didnt flower much but dug up 2 and got enough potatoes for tea but there were loads of teeny weeny ones... they tasted beautiful..

    I also have some maris piper for sept/oct can I pull them up before that and store them..if so what is the best way to store them ?

     

  • BobTheGardenerBobTheGardener Posts: 11,391

    Hi flowergirl, to store potatoes, dig them up, and leave them somewhere to dry (normally just leave them on the surface of the soil for a few hours on a sunny day, but given the weather, perhaps on a table in a shed etc would be better!)  Brush loose soil from them with your fingers, but do not be tempted to wash them as this will affect their storage life.  Store them in paper or hessian sacks, never plastic bags (they will quickly rot in those.)

    A trowel in the hand is worth a thousand lost under a bush.
  • flowergirl4flowergirl4 Posts: 60

    Thanks BobtheGardener...thats brill  image

  • NetherfieldNetherfield Posts: 120

    Maris piper is an early maincrop, so should be ready about 15/16 weeks,it's advisable to cut the haulms off and leave the spuds in the ground for 2 weeks for the skins to set and then store as above.

    Alternatively you can pick them without the 2 week wait, they can be prone to slug damage,but be careful not to damage the skins.

    After storage it's a good idea to check them after a fortnight, some times a bad spud can get through and spoil the rest of them.

    And enjoy the Charlottes I've been taking a few out of each tub for the last fortnight and it's only today when I've completely emptied one,mainly because the haulm has started to die back.

  • flowergirl4flowergirl4 Posts: 60

    Can I take it that the haulms are the storks and leaves..

    Thanks Netherfield

  • NetherfieldNetherfield Posts: 120

    flowergirl14... Yes thats right 'Haulm' is the stems of Peas,Beans Potatoes and Grasses.

  • Brycey DBrycey D Posts: 53

    Aye,,,I had a look and found a couple of marbles!! Will keep feeding and see what happens.....

     

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