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Produce => Edible Plants => Topic started by: Sprouting out on May 02, 2009, 10:54:45

Title: Newbe!!
Post by: Sprouting out on May 02, 2009, 10:54:45
Hi,
I am very impressed with this website and forum. I was looking for any ideas for growing potatoes in containers and came across yours.
I have recently moved to the "country" and have a lot of land that is just sitting there! I work full time so don't get much time for gardening, but want to grow my own veggies
I have quite a few reusable shopping bags(material) that seem perfect for growing potatoes, so I'm  off to the council compost site to fill them.
Can I grow potatoes from sprouting potatoes ( not seed potatoes)?

Thanks
Title: Re: Newbe!!
Post by: Robert_Brenchley on May 02, 2009, 10:57:56
Yes, the only drawback is that they're not certified disease free. People do it without disaster though.
Title: Re: Newbe!!
Post by: Sprouting out on May 02, 2009, 11:05:38
Thanks, I was told they might be smaller,is this correct?
I am going to try seed potatoes as well and see what happens and which ones are the best!
Title: Re: Newbe!!
Post by: saddad on May 02, 2009, 11:11:12
Welcome to A4A Sprouting...  ;D

When I grew and saved my own seed potatoes from an HSl variety (Aura) the size of tuber and total yield did decline as diseases and virus built up, so that after about 8 years they weren't worth growing..
Title: Re: Newbe!!
Post by: Sprouting out on May 02, 2009, 11:29:30
Thanks,
I think I will give it a go.
Should I mix soil with the compost or use it as it comes?
Title: Re: Newbe!!
Post by: terrier on May 02, 2009, 11:40:23
Hello Sprouting Out, welcome to the forum. Lots of people grow shop bought spuds with perfectly good results. It's unlikely that the ones you buy from the supermarket will be infected with any nasties but it's not a good idea to save your own from year to year and don't reuse the soil/compost mix again for the same type of plants. Buying certified seed potatoes is a way of growing all the varieties you can't buy in the food shops and are guarrenteed disease free.
Title: Re: Newbe!!
Post by: saddad on May 02, 2009, 11:48:59
I'd use the compost as it is... use a bit of growmore unless you are "organic".. if you are a bit of seaweedmeal...  :)
Title: Re: Newbe!!
Post by: Sprouting out on May 02, 2009, 11:52:28
Thanks Terrier,
Gosh, I have so much to learn!
Title: Re: Newbe!!
Post by: Sprouting out on May 02, 2009, 11:55:48

I am trying to be Organic, I am with the livestock (as much as I can be anyway)
Title: Re: Newbe!!
Post by: manicscousers on May 02, 2009, 16:29:04
hiya, sprouting out, welcome to a4a  ;D
Title: Re: Newbe!!
Post by: cornykev on May 02, 2009, 20:18:37
Welcome from me   SO.  ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: Newbe!!
Post by: kt. on May 02, 2009, 22:28:52
Welcome to the site.