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Produce => Edible Plants => Topic started by: ermck1 on June 27, 2006, 21:35:13

Title: Pink Fir Apples
Post by: ermck1 on June 27, 2006, 21:35:13
Hello all

When would you think the best time to crop Pink Fir Apple potatoes is? Mine look lovely and are just starting to flower. I have had advice to leave the tops to yellow and die back but I am not sure?

I am concerned re slugs if left in too long.

Thanks

Mike
Title: Re: Pink Fir Apples
Post by: Tin Shed on June 27, 2006, 21:39:07
I always seem to be harvesting them from September onwards and sometimes right through the winter. There is some slug damage then and the odd mushy potato, but they seem to go on forever!
Title: Re: Pink Fir Apples
Post by: Paulines7 on June 27, 2006, 21:42:54
I grew Pink Fir Apples last year and the slugs didn't touch them so maybe they are resistant to slug damage.   ;D    I harvested mine when the tops began to die down in August & September but I also couldn't resist going in with a small trowel to dig up a few early ones without disturbing the roots.    ::)
Title: Re: Pink Fir Apples
Post by: Mrs Ava on June 27, 2006, 22:15:46
I dug up a clump of volunteer pink fur apples last Friday, and altho they were a good size, they weren't as big and knobbly as I know they can be.  Mine will stay put until mid September.  Of all the spuds I grow, I grow PFA every year, and the slugs have never bothered them.  PFA are great storers and we were still eating stored PFA in early spring.
Title: Re: Pink Fir Apples
Post by: supersprout on June 28, 2006, 06:32:39
How did you store them E-J?
Title: Re: Pink Fir Apples
Post by: tim on June 28, 2006, 11:48:15
Boring repeat - Sep-Oct - paper or hessian sacks - but off the floor against mice - so good - wait for them!!

Don't forget that you can cook first & then peel?
Title: Re: Pink Fir Apples
Post by: Paulines7 on June 28, 2006, 13:12:24
I stored mine in polystyrene boxes covered with old duvets.  I had no problems and it was February when we ate the last ones.   ;D
Title: Re: Pink Fir Apples
Post by: tim on June 28, 2006, 13:32:41
Sorry - I had assumed no frost problems.
Title: Re: Pink Fir Apples
Post by: Mrs Ava on June 28, 2006, 16:33:43
Brown paper sacks SS.  In the garage, then when they were all I had left, in the kitchen.  The only spud that didn't got soft or start to chit!
Title: Re: Pink Fir Apples
Post by: tim on June 28, 2006, 16:45:02
I should have said 'excuse me, Emma' - sorry!
Title: Re: Pink Fir Apples
Post by: Curryandchips on June 28, 2006, 19:21:53
I have a lot of volunteers this year, I am leaving the remaining plants in the hope of getting some decent PFA as I hadn't bought any this year. Still the best for chips in my opinion ...
Title: Re: Pink Fir Apples
Post by: flossie on June 28, 2006, 20:22:18
Mine went VERY smelly - dark patches - went mushy - maybe it was blight
hope that you have better luck

Store potatoes very successfully in cardboard boxes from supermarket.