Pink Fir Apple

[plot51A]

My PFA spuds are coming into flower. Seems very early to me as they are going to be in the ground so long. Is this normal?

Anne

[plot51A]

[lolabelle]

Mine too I wondered as well , no doubt there will be help at hand soon  :)

[Barnowl]

Last year my PFA's  were finishing flowering by mid July, but not sure when they actually started. I didn't harvest them until mid-October.

[1066]

I seem to remember them flowering fairly early last year, but didn't start harvesting them till August. Mine I guess are still a good month off being anywhere near ready to eat  :)

1066

[Robert_Brenchley]

Mine got murdered by slugs, while all the other spuds were left alone as usual. They seem to be recovering a bit now.

[Kepouros]

Plot51A  -   The flowering and tuberisation are two independent processes and neither affects the other. Regardless of the flowering your plants will still crop at their usual time.

Robert - There is now a slug specific nematode which works underground, and is effective for about 6 weeks from application.  One treatment at the approximate time of tuber initiation should see the crop more or less protected until harvest. Let me know if you want details

[plot51A]

Thanks Kepouros didn't know that before.

[Robert_Brenchley]

Thanks, if I continue to get problems I may try it. On the other hand, since I've grown PFA before without problems, it may be a one-off. Or since it is just the one variety, it may be best to avoid it and grow something else. I'm puzzled, though.

[adeymoo]

plot51A

PFA are late maincrop and need 24 weeks in the ground - they do not form tubers until very late. First earlies are said to be ready on flowering.