[grenhouse]

PLanted my earlies about 12 weeks ago, they are flowering at the mo. had a 'furtle' and theres literally nothing underneath, one or 2 tiny spuds probably size of peas!

any ideas why?
steve

[Beetroot queen]

I had a few pea sized ones but we also had 6lb worth of not so small ones so I was happy to have a mix, I only planted 5 seed pots and two didnt produce anything (one of the old boys suggested it was because it was in shade) council hedge dont ask 

I was pleased as that was approx 2lb per plant. I was happy didnt help did I but I guess what I am saying is you might be suprised maybe you furtled the wrong bit 

[mumofstig]

Did you suffer a very dry spell, or have you had all the rain that's been about. If you've been dry give them a good soaking and leave for another weekish

[SnooziSuzi]

I agree with Mum

I purposely only watered half of my early crop to speed up growth on these ones and the half I watered are 2' tall just now, whereas the half I didn't water are only 1' tall.  Haven't furtled the smaller one's but the bigger one's are producing proper spud sized, um, spuds! 

[lisa80]

We have been hit and miss also dug 3 plants up yesterday pots at top were quite large for earlies but still had some at bottom of root that were still forming .Oh said was a waste and to leave them but was concerned about what size ones at top would get to if left .Out of 3 plants 1 had 3 pots another had 15!!!! 3rd had a good amount too .

[aelf]

agree with mum - a good soaking and leave them for a week or so. It's amazing how quickly the tubers swell in the right conditions!

[mumofstig]

We have been hit and miss also dug 3 plants up yesterday pots at top were quite large for earlies but still had some at bottom of root that were still forming .Oh said was a waste and to leave them but was concerned about what size ones at top would get to if left .Out of 3 plants 1 had 3 pots another had 15!!!! 3rd had a good amount too .

If you dig them gently, you could just remove the ones that are a decent size and cover the rest back up again. Give em a decent water and they should carry on growing

[lisa80]

Good idea!!!! will try that, just didnt want to end up with new pots the size of a baking spud !!!!! ha ha

[Parsnip]

We have been hit and miss also dug 3 plants up yesterday pots at top were quite large for earlies but still had some at bottom of root that were still forming .Oh said was a waste and to leave them but was concerned about what size ones at top would get to if left .Out of 3 plants 1 had 3 pots another had 15!!!! 3rd had a good amount too .

If you dig them gently, you could just remove the ones that are a decent size and cover the rest back up again. Give em a decent water and they should carry on growing

Oooh, I shall do that Mum..I've dug a few plants now, some really good sized spuds on some and some with tiddlers...so next time I'll take the big ones and leave the baby ones...great tip

[Iain@JBA]

I just lifted one bag of Winston tonight. I planted one potato in a bag with 17litres of compost and I got 4lbs 6oz of potatoes. Result I would say. I wanted them for showing but they are far too big. Biggest one was 10.6oz.

[mumofstig]

Wow! Great yield Is it the variety d'you reckon, or just your good luck this time?
I'm getting nothing like that amount from my tubs

[Iain@JBA]

It is the way they have been grown for sure.
All the info is on my blog about how I grew them in small polybags that were set into a trench in the ground.
The recipe was - 100 litres of compost mixed with 16oz of vitax Q4 and 12oz of calcified seaweed.
Extra holes were made in a 17litre polypot with a paper punch to allow the roots access to the soil below but keep the potatoes in the bag.
The trench had fertilizer scattered along it and was 3" deep before I placed the bags in the trench.
I only allowed 2 chits to remain before I planted the potato in the bag.
Bags were kept moist with extra water at night if need be.
3 feeds of foliar feed were applied during the season. Sprayed for blight once.
Lifted them tonight and will tuck into them tomorrow.
Winston are a large groing variety but I have other varieties that I can feel are the same size.
I wish they had just been 6-8oz as they are too big for showing
Can't wait for the Kestrel and Bonnie to be ready. I had a sneak peak in a bag and they have beautiful colour on them.

[mumofstig]

Sounds an interesting way to grow them, but if it gives yield like that WOW  we may all be trying it:D