peep
Sprout
Posts: 3 
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Post by peep on Aug 2, 2015 14:14:41 GMT -5
Seeking some feedback on the sad state of my potato harvest. Plants went in the 2nd week of April in Southern Mass. Buried 4" in well composted soil and mounded throughout growth; later covered with hay for water retention. They were fed bi-monthly and watered. The greens died off and harvested. The end result was disappointing. Few potatoes per plant ranging in size from a nickel to cue ball size. The harvested potatoes are not green. Other than singing these spuds a lullaby each night, I'm at a loss on how to boost output. This is the 3rd year with similar results.  |
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Post by James on Aug 2, 2015 15:06:39 GMT -5
Hmmmmm, You might try another variety?
What did you plant? You said plants. Did you buy started plants?
Best to get seed potatoes and cut them to one or two eyes per piece then plant them 2 inches deep.
When the plants are good sized hill the plant only one time, Just need to cover the existing ground
2 or three inches deep with more soil. You don't want to cover any more leaves than necessary to
get this cover. The only reason for the hilling is to protect the developing tubers from seeing the
sun and turning green.
Feeding and watering? If in the ground, not containers, feed at the beginning of the season, then plant
and water deeply once weekly.
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Post by mrsk on Aug 2, 2015 15:46:56 GMT -5
What seed potatoes did you use? When I bought certified seed potatoes, I got better yields than when I just planted sprouting potatoes from my bin.
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Post by lilolpeapicker on Aug 2, 2015 17:49:31 GMT -5
James,what do you feed your potatoes and when? What variety you grow?
For the first time I grew a variety called Purple Majesty potatoes. And for the first time I have seed pods that grew on the plant. Why would this happen? Is it supposed to happen? I have grown other varieties and never had this occurred!
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Post by Mumsey on Aug 2, 2015 18:29:10 GMT -5
Pea, it happens from time to time. Never seemed to bother my production.
Peep, what were you feeding them? Maybe too much and they grew tops and nothing else. What is the natural condition of your soil? I have never fertilized or fed potatoes. They seemed to thrive on just the soil that is there, amended with organic matter that is the mulch and was turned under every year. Potatoes even do well in clay soil and they help to break it up.
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Post by James on Aug 2, 2015 23:22:36 GMT -5
"James,what do you feed your potatoes and when? What variety you grow? "
In the fall leaves get put on the garden, then that along with all the garden refuse is
tilled in. In the spring I will apply ammonium nitrate one time only to the whole area.
That is all the "feeding" I do. I do not add additional fertilizers during the season.
I have grown Russets and Red Pontiac mostly. This year I am trying some purple potatoes
a friend gave me.
Yes, potatoes often flower and then produce a small fruit that looks like a green tomato.
Doesn't seem to bother the formation of tubers.
I am going to add, it is best to go buy certified potato sets for planting. They are certified to
be disease free. This is important as potatoes often suffer from various diseases that
drastically reduce yields.
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Post by brownrexx on Aug 3, 2015 9:17:08 GMT -5
Planting potatoes too close together can lead to smaller potatoes too.
I also do not feed my potato plants.
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Post by OregonRed on Aug 3, 2015 11:41:25 GMT -5
my CG neighbor grows potatos every year, and they don't fertilize or even use compost, I don't think, they just use whatever soil the CG provides for us once a year. they get potatoes every year. in fact this year, he said they're not going to grow them anymore, getting sick of digging them! hahahha
brown did hers all in straw this year, yes?
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Post by brownrexx on Aug 3, 2015 15:23:48 GMT -5
brown did hers all in straw this year, yes? Yes, but the plants are still green so I have not harvested all of them yet, just the early red ones and they were good sized. |
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