Potato growth above ground too much?

[finchy]

Novice pot grower question:

Planted my pots (Maris Piper) in two different areas of the garden. One set in the properly cultivated plot and the others in a border which has been hardly prepared.

The ones in the plot have grown so rapid with the rain/sun/rain spurts we have been having, that the leaves and stems above ground are in the region of 2.5 foot high! The others in the border are only 1ft high at the most and nowhere near as bushy.

Have earthed up best I can a couple of times, but the questions is: Is this green growth okay/usual for the ones in the plot?

I dont want the plants to be putting all their effort in to growing foliage and not tuber. Would you crop them back?

Earthing up has reached about 8" above ground level and will probably leave it at that.

What do you guys think?? ???

[finchy]

[Fork]

No need to crop back the foliage.Just earth up as much as you can.You can use straw and grass mowings to earth up with too if you like.

[Rhubarb Thrasher]

we had a similar thing happen with one of our early tubs of Kestrel potatoes this year - lots of top growth. I put it down to too much general fertiliser in the mix. Next year we'll feed with a high potash (ie lower nitrogen) feed to try to avoid this happening again. We still had potatoes from it though. Maybe you have a similar situation, or maybe you're growing them in a more shady position. I'd just leave them too it, and see what you get

[saddad]

Unless you have been feeding them urea then shouldn't be a problem... some varieties like PFA can produce 6' of top growth..
;D

[finchy]

No need to crop back the foliage.Just earth up as much as you can.You can use straw and grass mowings to earth up with too if you like.

With grass clippings I take it they should be kept away from the stems to avoid them rotting?

[Robert_Brenchley]

Spuds grow straight up through them, but less tough plants will rot.