Potato flowers

[ber77tie]

I seem to remember somebody saying you should remove flowers on potatoes to save the energy .would this be right or is it the seed pods I should remove?

[ber77tie]

[Flighty]

Some people remove the flowers as soon as they start to show. I remove them once they start dying back and well before the green tomato like fruit, which is poisonous, forms.

[BarriedaleNick]

Never removed flowers or fruit - didn't even know it was a thing that people did..

[taurus]

Removing the flowers is said to help the spuds grow bigger as all the goodness is going in to that.  Rather than producing the future seed.  Have no idea as to wether it works or not.  Hopefully someone will be along with the truth of the matter 

[goodlife]

I once read about it that 'removing flowers would result bigger potatoes'...I did remove  some off to trial this claim..but can't remember what the results were. I haven't bother doing it since...so doubt there was any difference to the crop or I would have carried on doing it. Or perharps it only makes difference with varieties that actually make the 'fruit'...perharps those would 'take some energy' from the crop? Not all varieties do make potato fruits..
The flowers are so pretty that is shame to remove them...I rather enjoy them and feed my 'eyes and soul' and chance to get teeny weeny smaller spuds that will fill my tummy equally well than bit bigger ones..and since my waist line haven't shrunk lately with lack of food...I can afford 'smaller' potatoes

Perharps I should trial this 'flower removal claim' again. I've got just a perfect row for it...just 6 plants and just about to flower and with easy access too. I'll remove flowers from 3 and let other 3 carry on what nature does best...

[Digeroo]

I also rather like the flowers.  Mayan Gold are a particular favourite, and Blue Danube are worth growing just for the flowers.   

[cornykev]

Removing them makes no difference whatsoever, a waste of time and energy.   

[ber77tie]

Have you tried it then corny Kev?

[laurieuk]

Some of the newer varieties have been bred so that they do not flower, I tried it once found it a complete waste of effort have never done it again.

[GREGME]

Dug an annabelle root for sunday lunch which was planted on 1st april and triple yum ! - they hadn't flowered - but reasonable yield and good sizes probably my favourite potato of 11 varieties I have ever grown though far more varieties to try. Hope to find a better seed potato supplier for these next year not M&S.

[davyw1]

A lorra lorra years ago test were actualy done on dead ending potatoes and yes, it was found that it did increase your crop. So thems that want to do it dont be put off cos you will get a whole 5 persent more, yes realy that much.
I think it may add up to one small spud per plant.