Topic: Flowers on potatoes

[bridgehouse]

The other day I was walking around the Allotment when I stopped to speak to a plot holder, I asked him why he was removing the flowers off his potato crop, he said he was doing it so all the energy will go  into the tubers is this so, can anyone answer this for me .
     Bridgehouse

[manicscousers]

I've heard of it for mains but never actually pinched them out, our crops seem ok without  ;D

[ceres]

I do it because logically it sounds right but I've no idea if it does actually make a difference!

[OllieC]

Sounds a bit OCD to me, but each to their own!

[bridgehouse]

Thanks Manicscousers. Thanks ceres.
I think  will leave the flowers on my potatoes alone .
its the first year I have ever grown potatoes
            Bridgehouse

[Robert_Brenchley]

It's not usually flowers that use up the energy, but fruit. Potato berries are pretty small, and you don't get large numbers, so I can't see it making a significant difference.

[ceres]

Well, given what the spuds have had to put up with and that I'll be lucky if they crop at at all, if they flower I think I'll still take them off this year.  They need all the help they can get.

[growmore]

It is done to prevent potatoes from wasting energy forming the tomato like fruits.  Supposedly it keeps  the plant growing that little bit longer too if you prevent it fruiting.  So you get bigger potatoes nipping the flowers out.
Some years potatoes seem to have an abundance of fruit form.  Other years very little.

[tim]

I just love the flowers!