2nd crop potatoes.... challenge maybe, or at least camaraderie.

[Jeannine]

I got shoots!!! XX Jeannine

[Jeannine]

[GRACELAND]

 ::) ::) ::)

[calendula]

mine have been earthed up twice now  :o

[Jeannine]

Oh your just showing off ;D ;D

Mine have poked through again after earthing up and are obviously reaching for the light as they are in shade. Can I put just peat over them. It is not endangered here and I have a big bale but have run out of potting soil.

XX Jeannine

[gwynnethmary]

sorry to report that I missed the planting date, but have finally got round to it today!  I'm also unsure whether I've planted a Dadine or a Charlotte as I dug some from both sides of the bed and they got mixed up in the carrier bag!  I'm not enough of an expert to be able to tell them apart yet, but I guess I'll learn.  I've just planted one, in a black sack in ericaceous compost, and popped it straight into the greenhouse.

[Jeannine]

Charlotte are oval and white, not round . I don't know the other oneXX Jeannine

[gwynnethmary]

Charlotte are oval and white, not round . I don't know the other oneXX Jeannine

Nadine are also oval and white.  They have purple eyes, and they have a lovely texture and taste.  I bought them from Wilkinsons.  Being a newbie to all this, I'd never actually heard of most of the varieties until this year, and had no idea there were so many!

[davyw1]

With pink eyes they could be Kestrel

[calendula]

Oh your just showing off ;D ;D

Mine have poked through again after earthing up and are obviously reaching for the light as they are in shade. Can I put just peat over them. It is not endangered here and I have a big bale but have run out of potting soil.

XX Jeannine

;D but will have to plant more cos these are going to be far too early and could be like a slightly late maincrop - regarding peat - I would use what you've got that is compatible, seems silly to waste it

[ipt8]

I have bought the Browns second cropping selection which just arrived, I was late placing an oreer.
Instructions say plant straight away and do not chit, so I will keep them  in a cool washouse untill can plant.
Just took on the allotment plot you see. All the briars and raspberries cut down and waiting for re growth before spraying, not had any rain to speak of for months, oh and no water supply on allotment, I like a challenge 8)
Nettles just getting big enough to spray so will do so asap and rotovate about a week to ten days after, so I am assuming middle to the end of August planting.

[gwynnethmary]

With pink eyes they could be Kestrel

No, not Kestrel- we've eaten all of those!

[Jayb]

 ::) mine are still waiting for me to get into gear and plant them!
But very encouraging to hear how quickly they are growing.

[Jeannine]

You are being sensible Jay, ours will be ready before Christmas..XX Jeannine

[Manouche]

Just read this thread but want to join in , have got Charlottes dug up this year so do I just plant them or do I have to chit them help please. x

[Jeannine]

No need to chit, Jay did say earlier in the post about a waiting time so I don't know how crucial that is, I have planted them quite fresh in the past and it seemed to be OK but maybe a waiting time  gives a better harvest or something.

XX Jeanni8ne

[Jayb]

Thank you Jeannine but I have to admit if I had had the chance I would have planted them by now, I've found better the quick growth now to produce a better harvest while the weather is still ok. Yes they are ready before Christmas, but keep very well tucked up in their containers, sort of an early Christmas pressie waiting to be unwraped  ;D

Blight seems to be the biggest hazzard, I think we have have had 6 or 7 Full Smith periods in my area in the last fortnight!

I've not tried it before but from the info I've come across potatoes seem to have a dormancy period of about 6 weeks from harest, this can be helped along by keeping tubers in warm conditions before planting them. I've put aside some freshly harvested tubers from this year, some just in a shed and some I've put somewhere warm, but where? I'm sure they will turn up sometime  ;D

Yes there is a link re potato dormancy earlier in the thread.

[Jeannine]

Are you sure you didn't post them to me ;D ;D

They are growing nicely

XX Jeannine

[carolinej]

OK, OK, I know I'm a little late ::), but I fancy some christmas potatoes too  ;D

So, I'm going to plant some tomorrow and see what happens. I dont know what variety yet. I have a few spuds in the fridge waiting to be eaten, so I'll give them a go.

No laughing when mine turn out to be like marbles ::)

c x

[Jeannine]

Growing marbles eh Caroline, well we have a big collection of marbles here John  has all his from being a boy  plus  plus.. so we know a bit about them.I bet mine are smaller than yours

XX Jeannine

[cornykev]

I shall  be planting mine by the weekend in black dustbins that I forgot about and they have soil sieved in them already.    ;D ;D ;D