[evie2]

Some of our potatoes have gone bonkers and are growing out of the potato sacks whilst others have hardly grown at all.

I can't give you the names at the moment as OH has covered them with soil really just wanted to know if this is common when growing in sacks

[mumofstig]

It depends on the variety of spud, some grow tall, some don't................it's not the sack's fault

[bigben]

The other "variable" is what if anything they have been fed with. Chicken pellets are meant to lead to leafy green growth.

If they have all had the same treatment then it is likely to just be down to the type. My earlies are very big and in the past have flopped over when grown in bags, while my maincrop are just a couple of inches out of the surface of the soil.

[cooperman]

well the rule is grow first earlies in bags/sacks as it is only worthwhile doing it this way considering the cost of compost.....  maincrop are really a waste of time as its a lot cheaper to just buy the spuds!

[mumofstig]

that's your rule cooperman ............everybody else can do as they please 

If you can get safe manure cheap it's worth doing if you have a small garden or plot

[1st time veg grower]

that's your rule cooperman ............everybody else can do as they please 

If you can get safe manure cheap it's worth doing if you have a small garden or plot

Agree! I grow most of my potatoes in bags or containers because I don't have the space on my limited veg patch. And I grow for fun, rather than trying to save money.

Back to the question about growth, yes, I have noticed quite a difference in some of mine. Like others have said, my first earlies are going a bit bonkers but so are some of my maincrop (yes, shock horror in a container! ). There is a real difference in one bag where I have planted two different varieties - Nicola and Charlotte. The Charlottes have really taken off whereas the Nicolas haven't - earthing up this bag has been interesting! So yes, I think it depends on the variety and perhaps also the quality of the seed potato too.

[evie2]

Had a word with OH, he thinks it could be the Charlottes

They came with a box of potato fertilizer, well 2, OH has lovingly looked after them and assures me they all get the same amount. 

For a scientist he's rather lackadaisical in his gardening