[sandygreen]

I was listening to a gardening programme on my local radio and this gentleman said he had cut off all the leaves from his potatoes as they were taking over the garden.  They grew back and he cut them back again and so on.  Well, I'm in the same position - I am growing first earlies and also have a couple of sacks of main crop.  The foliage could become an extra in Quatermass and is taking over the garden.  Can I cut this back and, if so, how far, do you take it back to the soil or just trim it back?

This could well sound really stupid but a couple of the shoots have the dreaded blackfly.  If I do cut them back can I put them in the compost bin with the blackfly on or will the blackfly think they have gone to blackfly heaven and multiply even more!

[mumofstig]

If you want potatoes to form under the soil then you really need potato leaves above the soil.
I cannot see any sense in cutting them back, unless you have decided the potatoes are already as big as you want them and will be lifting them very soon.

[DD.]

I agree with MOS. The leaves are the plant's food factory without them, the plant cannot feed the spuds.

[WirralWally]

. . . . . .  this gentleman said he had cut off all the leaves from his potatoes

He was a saboteur 
 

They grew back  . . . .

They would. That's the plant fighting for survival. 

. . .  can I put them in the compost bin with the blackfly on  . . . .

Yes. The blackfly will disappear before too long; either dead or eaten.

[sunshineband]

Re putting the haulms in the compost

I don't do this as I always worry that I might be furthering diseases, so I burn mine.

PS I don't mena blackfly, they woud be no issue in the bin, I mean more serious systemic diseases (Is that the right word  ?)

[sandygreen]

Thanks for this, will just keep fighting my way through to the bags for now. 

[sunshineband]

That's the spirit