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Produce => Edible Plants => Topic started by: earlypea on May 28, 2010, 16:38:06

Title: Why else do potatoes flower?
Post by: earlypea on May 28, 2010, 16:38:06

....was thrilled to find a couple of my first earlies with flower buds on.  Had a rummage around and couldn't find anything then got the fork out and lifted one of them because I planted extra deep this year, still no signs of even micro-potatoes.

So, what does it mean?  Are they sort of bolting due to a lack of moisture or the freaky hot spell, they look extremely lush and healthy.  Or do potatoes just do that sometimes?

Thanks

Title: Re: Why else do potatoes flower?
Post by: Robert_Brenchley on May 28, 2010, 16:40:15

They do it like any other plant. A lot of varieties don't bother much, but you can save the seeds and grow your own new varieties with a bit of perseverance.

Title: Re: Why else do potatoes flower?
Post by: Sinbad7 on May 28, 2010, 17:33:43

You should start watering them now.  The tats are at the marble stage when you see the flowers.

Title: Re: Why else do potatoes flower?
Post by: realfood on May 28, 2010, 20:30:28

The maximum crop occurs when the foliage starts to die down.

Title: Re: Why else do potatoes flower?
Post by: earlypea on May 29, 2010, 09:39:03

I don't think I made my question very clear.

I thought flowers indicated baby potatoes, but there's not a sign of anything down below - seriously nothing, but a couple of pips.  So, don't flowers indicate baby potatoes?  

Last year none of my earlies flowered so I didn't realise until they were quite sizeable that there were any there.

I sometimes dip in to Tom Wagner's TPS forum and had planned to do that if I have time and/or berries.

P.S. I water like crazy because my soil's like gravel already this year despite spending a fortune on an entire pallet of reclaimed peat and digging it in.  Grrrrr  :-\

Title: Re: Why else do potatoes flower?
Post by: goodlife on May 29, 2010, 10:32:27

I would not worry...they will produce...I don't  think that potatoes does 'bolt' as unions and such...flowering is just 'rule of thumb'..I'm sure the potato nodules are formed and just waiting for right weather to jump into action..as we are now getting the long waited rain things start moving again...patience is needed.. ;D

Title: Re: Why else do potatoes flower?
Post by: davyw1 on May 29, 2010, 14:12:16

Potatoes come into flower when the plant is coming to its best  ( just like a women ) its about two weeks after flowering that the potato has grown after that well its just goes down hill doesn't it

INCOMING

Title: Re: Why else do potatoes flower?
Post by: earlypea on May 30, 2010, 07:50:33

Quote from: goodlife on May 29, 2010, 10:32:27

...patience is needed.. ;D

That tends to be the missing ingredient in my scheme - thanks for the reminder

Heavy rain predicted Tuesday  :)