Topic: potato confusion

[tim]

Yes - but it would be a bit similar and close in time to Anya??  I've only just realised that Anya  can be ready as early as July, as opposed to Pink Fir (its parent) which is October. I shall still put a few PF in, I think. = Tim

[Steve__C]

We always dig PF in August and then they are ready to eat with salads. Think if I left in the ground for much longer, the slugs would have a "field-day".
Problem I have is, I always plant too many. This year I am sharing a bag.

[tim]

How different we all are!

Since PF are a late maincrop, we don't lift for store till end Sep - mid Oct. Maybe we're lucky, but never any slug damage. Yes, we scuff a few little ones out earlier if needed, but we still have salads at this time of the year.

And, of course, they sauté well and even bake! You will see the ones in our 'album' are the size of a banana. = Tim

[Ceri]

Mine arrived from organic catalogue yesterday - I got the 'cook's choice' selection - I've got 1kg of 5 different varieties.  Some were already sprouting well so I've put them in the egg boxes I've been skanking for weeks - they are on a big shelf next to a window in a coldish room - would put them in the shed but worried might be too cold - snowing yesterday.  As some of the shoot are already over an inch long I was concerned about how long I can keep them before planting - I read not to plant until March - is that right - and how long is too long in a shoot - and what if they get too long before planting time.  What a lot of questions - you can tell i've been away!!

[tim]

That's very naughty of Chase to send them out like that?

You'll get lot's of advice on this but, if the 1" shoots are yellow/white, I would be tempted to rub them off -  unless they are first earlies, which could go in as soon as the shoots have greened up a bit and the ground is OK. Ideally the shoots should be 1/2-1" and dark green at the time of planting. If they go in a bit early, your only problem is protecting the emerging leaf-shoots from frost by earthing up, and up!, or with fleece.

But the pots don't have to be chitted - it just speeds up the process - so don't worry. = Tim

[Ceri]

Thanks Tim - they are white and spindly on the Duke of Yorks.  The Charlottes etc. just have white buds on rather than full shoots - so I'll rub the long ones off and wait and see.

Cheers

Ceri

[tim]

- can you bear another??

Sorry wiped it from the album!

[Ceri]

thanks for that Tim.  Interested in the nicking of the potato detering slugs - wouldn't logical thought be that if slugs like the taste, you are just putting out a 'come and get me' signal - does anyone know the sciencey bit of why doing this deters slugs?

[philcooper]

Rubbing out sprouts is NOT a good idea.

The first (apical - I think it's called) is the strongest - Which Gardening magazine had its readers run a trial some years ago with very long sprouts (over 12") and discovered there was no difference in yield (but that it was easier to break off the sprouts when they are long)

As I said earlier, varieties vary, some respond well to the removal of sprouts and produce fewer but larger tubers, others object and give a lower yield, and if you want lots of small new potatoes then lots of stems is to be encouraged.

The "expert" who advised cutting the seed may get away with it in a warm dry Spring but in a cold wet one (have you noticed how the weather changes the instant you plant something  :() there is a strong danger of it rotting off before the sprouts have taken hold.

I work with a Welshman who grows over 300 varieties and is part of the team in the Guiness Book of Records for potato displays - he doesn't rub out sprouts or nick his seeds

Phil

[tim]

Interesting, Phil - it was largely the breakablity that I had in mind - especially if they had to wait a month for planting. But would  they not also be more open to disease or attack? =  Tim

[philcooper]

Tim,

The only problem with long white shoots (apart from the breaking bit) is that they provide more of a traget for aphids which seem to spring from nowhere at this time of year

Phil

[tim]

Okeydoke! = Tim

[Hot_Potato]

Got a potato question and not quite sure where to put it....but as I'm definitely confused - think here will be as good as anywhere...

When I got to allotment today after not being able to get there for a week or so cos of a bad back (yes did it digging)....found to my amazement, loads of potatoes coming thru the ground I'd 'rough dug'
over earlier in the year.....I knew there were some left in the ground but thought I'd dug most up but I know a lot got 'sliced' when digging...have these new ones grown from those slices and what should I do...I need the ground for other things really so do I just dig them up now.....as they're so higgle-de-piggledy...it would be difficult to 'earth them up' and make use of them but it does seem a shame - H.P.

[johcharly]

Yes Hot Potato they are almost certainly grown from the 'slices', and dig them up the next time you are down as they may be harbouring diseases from last year. Then the time after that dig up the new entrants etc etc (you never get them all!)

[philcooper]

JC,

You're absolutely right  :) - dig em up to prevent the possible spread of disease.

Phil

[Hot_Potato]

oh thanks very much for that advice.....and there was me feeling guilty at the thought of digging them up....it hadn't occurred to me about possible disease  :o  H.P.