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Produce => Edible Plants => Topic started by: davers on May 29, 2012, 20:22:19

Title: peeking on the spuds
Post by: davers on May 29, 2012, 20:22:19
Had a first dig aRound today on the first rooster spuds i planted a very suprised to see a. fat tuber just beliw the surface a good 1half inch round and a few other smaller ones
Very pleased as its my first time growing spuds
Hopefully have some good potatoe eating this year

Anyone else had a feel around there maincrop spuds yet?
Title: Re: peeking on the spuds
Post by: Flighty on May 29, 2012, 20:25:58
It's too early to be firkling, or furtling, for most earlies let alone main crop varieties!
Title: Re: peeking on the spuds
Post by: cornykev on May 29, 2012, 20:34:53
Only firkling my earlies, miles too early to be thinking about maincrop.   ::)
Title: Re: peeking on the spuds
Post by: Flighty on May 29, 2012, 20:43:45
Even if you planted the Roosters in February you shouldn't be lifting them until August so I'd leave them be! 
Title: Re: peeking on the spuds
Post by: RenishawPhil on May 29, 2012, 20:45:16
Had one of our earlies and they were very very tasty!!
Title: Re: peeking on the spuds
Post by: galina on May 29, 2012, 22:59:33
The only firkling going on here is discovering what is under the rogues from last year when weeding them out.  Marble sized to bantam egg at the biggest for our volunteer plants.  Not looking at the planted potates yet either.  Still hoping that all danger of frost has definitely passed.  :)  this area is known for late frosts  :(
Title: Re: peeking on the spuds
Post by: antipodes on May 30, 2012, 09:22:57
I am already eating my earlies!!!  ;D Plenty of time for the mains.

I am growing Vitelotte purple spuds this year, just for a lark really, I was amused to see that not only the spud is purple, but the leaves too are violet-tinged and very pretty! I believe they are a maincrop so won't be digging them up for ages yet.
Title: Re: peeking on the spuds
Post by: chriscross1966 on May 30, 2012, 12:34:00
Quote from: antipodes on May 30, 2012, 09:22:57
I am already eating my earlies!!!  ;D Plenty of time for the mains.

I am growing Vitelotte purple spuds this year, just for a lark really, I was amused to see that not only the spud is purple, but the leaves too are violet-tinged and very pretty! I believe they are a maincrop so won't be digging them up for ages yet.

Vitelotte is quite a late maincrop as are the very similar Negresse and Congo. Russian Blue and Highland Burgundy Red (as well as the aforementioned) also have quite strongly coloured foliage as does my Russian Blue seedling "Jayblu"
Title: Re: peeking on the spuds
Post by: davers on May 30, 2012, 15:09:27
Just seen on another forum a lady has already dug her roosters before flowering and had a great crop.weird. on the packet it says early-maincrop does that mean you can have them early through to main or their an early maincrop? Hmmm
Title: Re: peeking on the spuds
Post by: Flighty on May 30, 2012, 15:29:30
If they were grown in a container, or a polytunnel, then yes it's quite possible but if in the ground my earlier comment stands.

An early main crop variety would normally be lifted in September and a late main crop one in October.
Title: Re: peeking on the spuds
Post by: BarriedaleNick on May 30, 2012, 16:02:40
My earlies are in containers and they have been the small polytunnel I have and I havent taken a thing yet.  Maybe time for a furtle at the weekend!
Title: Re: peeking on the spuds
Post by: antipodes on May 31, 2012, 09:14:20
Quote from: chriscross1966 on May 30, 2012, 12:34:00

Vitelotte is quite a late maincrop as are the very similar Negresse and Congo.
I noticed yesterday that they already have flowers!!!! It would be nice if I could get seed from them! Although waiting two seasons for spuds, not sure if I have that patience...
I plant all of my spuds very early, in March as I don't have time after that period. So I think they would be ready before October in any case...
Title: Re: peeking on the spuds
Post by: Eamon on June 01, 2012, 00:12:34
My first time growing spud in the ground (had them in tubs last year). I planted ten King Edwards, which are flying, and which I've earthed up several times. The foliage is lush, to say the least. They're main crop so I'll not be doing any flutering about until August. Fingers crossed all goes well. :)
Title: Re: peeking on the spuds
Post by: strawberry1 on June 03, 2012, 12:48:38
I had a careful furtle this morning  :) lady christie and in the ground. I got enough for six people from 6 seed spuds. I was as careful as I could be and can rest easy knowing that the remaining ones on the furtled plants will grow bigger with fewer baby spuds to feed. It`s like finding gold  ;D  and not a hint of any insect mark on them. So tender that they cooked in just eight minutes

Some strawberries too today, oh what a simple feast