When to harvest Potatos

Discussion in 'Edible Gardening' started by martandmichelle, Jun 30, 2008.

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  1. martandmichelle

    martandmichelle Gardener

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    Hi Folks
    Another newbie question from me :D
    I planted my Vivaldi seed potatos about 8 weeks ago and since then they have grown like mad, the plants are now about 3ft tall and begining to flower, so my question is, how much longer before my spuds are ready? :confused:
     
    martandmichelle, Jun 30, 2008
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  2. Prastio

    Prastio Gardener

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    The general rule is about two weeks after flowering. Another indication is when the haulms (ie stalks) start wilting. If you are impatient (like most of us) you can do some gentle mining around the roots to see what is there!
     
    Prastio, Jun 30, 2008
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  3. martandmichelle

    martandmichelle Gardener

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    Thats good not long to wait now then, thanks Prastio :)
     
    martandmichelle, Jun 30, 2008
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  4. JWK

    JWK Gardener Staff Member

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    Theres no harm in carefully digging around one to see whats there. Its best to get your early potatoes when they are small I always think.
     
    JWK, Jun 30, 2008
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  5. hammer

    hammer Gardener

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    also noted on the forum to remove the flowers ,ie nip them off and start watering well and harvest abt 10 days later.
     
    hammer, Jun 30, 2008
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  6. JWK

    JWK Gardener Staff Member

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    call me silly ;) but I do like the flowers, adds a bit of colour to the veg patch (this may not be the best advice for top yield though)
     
    JWK, Jul 1, 2008
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  7. Prastio

    Prastio Gardener

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    JWK - I agree about the flowers! (The variation in colours also helps me to remember which variety I have planted in which row!)
     
    Prastio, Jul 1, 2008
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  8. Smiffy

    Smiffy Gardener

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    If i can just Just hijack a little of this thread :D I have a couple of questions from the replies above....
    I just unearthed my first container bag of potaoes - they taste lovely ! But was a bit dissapointed on the yield.
    Should you pinch the potatoe flowers once they appear - does this improve yield ?
    Should you water more frequently after the flowers appear ?

    TIA
     
    Smiffy, Jul 1, 2008
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  9. hammer

    hammer Gardener

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    yes pinch the flowers out and yes water more often, dont shoot the messenger.
     
    hammer, Jul 1, 2008
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  10. THE MASTER

    THE MASTER Gardener

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    ive been told

    pull up the EARTH around the tatty plants ,
    do not lett any of off the tattys see the light (green is a no go with tattys).

    my portland crowns were not doing very well till i started pulling the earth up around . the few that have come up are now doing very well . i try not to water as i wont the tattys to go down and find the water. a finger poked in to feel the soil should tell you if you need top water. if you have soil thats dry in the top 3 0r 4inch soak well in
     
    THE MASTER, Jul 2, 2008
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  11. JWK

    JWK Gardener Staff Member

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    Sorry hammer I wans't trying to be rude, I think you are correct about the flowers, here is a photo of mine taken last night in full bloom, I'm too soppy to pinch them out as they look so nice:

    [​IMG]
     
    JWK, Jul 3, 2008
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  12. David_Schmavid

    David_Schmavid Gardener

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    there's no flowers on mine yet :(
    what is the actimel bottle for?
     
    David_Schmavid, Jul 3, 2008
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  13. JWK

    JWK Gardener Staff Member

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    hee hee, well spotted, its on the top of a short cane supporting a tomato, the idea is to stop us poking our eyes out.
     
    JWK, Jul 3, 2008
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  14. JWK

    JWK Gardener Staff Member

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    Flowering would depend when you planted and which variety. My earlies have just finished flowering now, the variety in my photo is called "Pink Fir Apple" which I think is a late.
     
    JWK, Jul 3, 2008
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  15. David_Schmavid

    David_Schmavid Gardener

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    further tater question. and how best to phrase it is troubling me.

    why do potatoes produce multiple tubers if the tubers they produce from the one seed potato aren't used to make new potatoes and seeds are instead?
    trivia i guess but im really interested.
     
    David_Schmavid, Jul 10, 2008
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