Potatoes falling over... how to manage?

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Doddy

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Potatoes falling over... how to manage?
« on: June 22, 2011, 21:44 »
My main-crop were looking rather splendid - around 3ft tall; However, I think I've not planted the seed potato deep enough (or earthed up enough... at all) and they've gently fallen over (the haulm is strong, but I think the weight just rolled it down).

Anyway... best way to manage this?, I'm tempted to cut some of the haulm off?, good idea or disaster?, would I be better leaving be?

I did pull up one plant, with lots of medium-sized taters attached, but I think for Maris Pipers I'm hoping for larger tubers to make plates of chips :)

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DD.

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Re: Potatoes falling over... how to manage?
« Reply #1 on: June 22, 2011, 21:49 »
Leave it alone.

If you cut the haulms off, you're cutting off the plant's food factory!
Did it really tell you to do THAT on the packet?

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Trillium

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Re: Potatoes falling over... how to manage?
« Reply #2 on: June 23, 2011, 03:42 »
As DD says, definitely leave them alone!

If you're worried about the flopping over, set some sticks or canes around the potato area, then run string lines all around and 'fence' the halums within. This way they won't snap off or be in the way, yet can finish growing.

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TerryB

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Re: Potatoes falling over... how to manage?
« Reply #3 on: June 23, 2011, 11:12 »
As DD says, definitely leave them alone!

If you're worried about the flopping over, set some sticks or canes around the potato area, then run string lines all around and 'fence' the halums within. This way they won't snap off or be in the way, yet can finish growing.

I did this when mine dropped over the main path up the plot.
Just left the other sides to get on with it.

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sunshineband

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Re: Potatoes falling over... how to manage?
« Reply #4 on: June 23, 2011, 11:53 »
We have to do the sticks and string thing, or we wouldn't be able to walk round the plot  :lol: :lol: :lol:
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