Potato growing 2021

Discussion in 'Edible Gardening' started by JWK, Jan 5, 2021.

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  1. Scrungee

    Scrungee Well known for it

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    All it took was just over 3 weeks with them under growlights to produce shoots large enough to use for cuttings.

    IMG_20210318_080825191.jpg
     
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    • pete

      pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

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      Are you using the cutting to produce seed for next year?
       
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      • Tinkerbelle61

        Tinkerbelle61 Happiest Outdoors!

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        First time growing (trying to grow) potatoes, have 5 x 30ltr potato buckets and have chitted charlottes ready, but just realised (doh) that I need fertiliser, or do I? If so, I have BF&B only and wanted to get them planted today. Will this be okay or do I need to order fertiliser and wait another couple of weeks before being able to plant them (and will that be too late for charlottes?).

        Also, I have far too many seed potatoes, bought one bag of each Charlottes and maris pipers, but will have to use all 5 buckets for just the chatlottes (some YouTube videos say 3 and some say 4 seed potatoes per bucket) so will have to use the four potato sacks for maris pipers (2 per sack). That will leave me with loads left, do I have to bin the rest?

        Yes I really should have watched the videos before this morning!

        Thanks
        Tink
         
      • JWK

        JWK Gardener Staff Member

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        Don't cram too many seed potatoes, I would only plant two max in buckets that size. Seems a shame to compost your spares but it's for the best.
         
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        • Tinkerbelle61

          Tinkerbelle61 Happiest Outdoors!

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          Thanks @JWK for the advice, will compost spares.
           
        • JWK

          JWK Gardener Staff Member

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          Sorry missed that question, yes it's ok to use that. It's also acceptable to use no fertiliser to begin with and use a liquid feed once the plants poke through.
           
        • FrancescaH

          FrancescaH Gardener

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          What safe temp can I plant potatoes out in felt bags if they're in a plastic greenhouse? Will it be a case that they won't necessarily grow at a lower temp but can sit? I'm putting them in felt bags which will sit on bark chips for now. Aim to move them outside of the greenhouse once the temps are comfortable. Can I put chitted ones out now under the first layer of soil?
           
        • JWK

          JWK Gardener Staff Member

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          I used the last frost date and work back, so that when the potatoes have sprouted and leaves are above ground they won't be damaged by frost. For me in Surrey the last frost is first week in May. Being in a greenhouse gives some protection and so I would risk container planting at the end of March. If a frost is forecast and leaves are there then either: Earth up so the soil covers the leaves or if the plant is too tall cover with fleece. They will grow quickly since greenhouses heat up quickly with a little sun during the day.
           
        • Scrungee

          Scrungee Well known for it

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          We get frosts around the edge of our village right up until June.
           
        • Tinkerbelle61

          Tinkerbelle61 Happiest Outdoors!

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          Thanks @JWK I ended up fluttering my lashes at OH and he ventured out to the nearest garden centre, luckily potato fertiliser was on a stand by the door so it was a quick in and out for him. He didn’t go until late so didn’t get to do the potatoes yesterday in the end.

          Did more youtubing last night and one said equal parts mix of growmore, FBB and potato fertiliser! Specialist grower mind you. Planning on planting the charlottes on Friday (day off work) and popping them in a tomato grow house on the decking that gets sun for about 3 to 4 hours a day atm, would that be ok or should I leave them in the garage once planted for a while longer do you think (Colchester, Essex)?

          Thanks Tink
           
        • JWK

          JWK Gardener Staff Member

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          Until the leaves emerge above the soil there is no need for any sun, so I suggest you keep them in the garage to begin with.
           
        • Tinkerbelle61

          Tinkerbelle61 Happiest Outdoors!

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          Thanks again @JWK have mentioned it to OH, he says he’ll “make some room in the garage” :)
           
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          • Jasmine star

            Jasmine star Super Gardener

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            Got my first earlies in at the allotment today. Cara and Albert Bartlett.
             
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            • Scrungee

              Scrungee Well known for it

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              Cara is a maincrop variety and Albert Bartlett is a wholesaler who sells various different varieties of potato.
               
            • Jasmine star

              Jasmine star Super Gardener

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              Oh well the Cara have gone in and when I got the potatoes from the allotment the second lot are named Albert Bartlett's :rolleyespink:
               
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