Topic: How many seed potatoes should I sow.

[supersprout]

I never water my potatoes!!!
This I consider is the ideal trap for floating 'blight' spores, wheras had they been dry the spores might have blown off again.
Well that my thinking!!!  ::)

I never water mine either TeeGee, and have a long-running verbal duel every summer with the regulars who say it's essential (occupying the tap for several hours at a time). I'm sure the potatoes taste potatoier without, although they do get a good mulch. Now I've got a scientific sounding line to take, thank you ;)

[mc55]

hmm, I didn't know they needed to be watered, so didn't ! 

Maybe thats why my pentland javelin were so 'floury' when boiled.

[Barnowl]

We watered the bed and the Pentland Javelin were floury anyway - which is why I'm trying some different earlies this year.

PS Presumably if they are in a container watering is essential?

[supersprout]

I would presume so too Barnowl - I've not grown in containers - yet ;)

[Larkspur]

Once spuds in a container get going you will find out if they need watering ;D, it's a  full time job :D ;D

[Tee Gee]

As I recall we had a relatively dry summer last year yet I think I had my best crop both for size & quantity ever.

Could it be the haulms ( in dry weather) send out shoots to get every drop of water available but in wet seasons don't need to so the crop is smaller ??? ??? ???

[cornykev]

I think I'll water one row and not the other, once they get going and see which row has done the best. ::) ::) ;D ;D ;D

[Blue Bird]

potatoes across the country had a hard time of it - the cost to the catering industry has been devastated but not a lot of publicity has been given to it - not sure why but the cost to the caterers has risen by 40 - 50%

So although I only grew in containers last year and it was poor I am sure the forcasted weather will effect the growing again this year. ???