[eazilyled]

I planted some early potatoes in bags / compost this year - I think they were planted some time in April but my memory is all mush at the moment due to new baby related sleep deprivation - I can't even remember the variety name! They were well chitted before planting though.

In June during a hot spell I remember that the leaves started turning yellow and wilting so I watered them well. The leaves stopped wilting but remained yellow. Also I was keeping the bags well topped up with compost initially but haven't done for a month or so.

Yesterday I noticed that one of the plants has started dying down. Does this simply mean that they are ready to harvest? I'm a bit confused as no flowers have appeared at all.

Cheers,
Rick

[seedman]

As early potatoes are pulled up at 10/12 weeks i would empty a bag you may have a nice surprise awaiting you lots of new spuds

[DD.]

Not all spuds flower.

You'll probably find they've even gone past the "new" potato stage. They'll still be eatable though.

[ruthsamuel2]

I had exactly the same problem so thought i'd empty the bag (in case it was a disease that would spread to the other bags). looked on here for similar symptoms and decided it was just natural die back and not the dreaded blight. Had a lovely plateful of fresh new potatoes with butter and pepper for last night's tea.

[1st time veg grower]

One of my bags of earlies is now going the same way - think its just the end of its growing life - the other earlies are looking sad but the 2nd earlies are still looking v healthy so don't think its anything to worry about - tip it out and see what you've got!

[eazilyled]

Thanks for all the replies. Will get out and take a look when the current deluge of rain ends.

Cheers,
Rick

[eazilyled]

Just a quick note to say that you were all right!

Harvested a decent amount of potatoes yesterday and had great fun doing so with my 2 year old!

Cheers,
Rick

[Mr Rotavator]

Just a quick note to say that you were all right!

Harvested a decent amount of potatoes yesterday and had great fun doing so with my 2 year old!

Cheers,
Rick

Nothing better than digging plants and finding the fruits of your labour. I hope they taste good.

[topgazza]

Supplementary question if I may...I planted in large bags...quite a crop of new potatoes back in March/April...I pulled a few up yesterday and they were very small...but tasty. The foliage is still green and strong with only a few yellowish leaves. Should I leave them for a few more weeks or dig them out now ? the flowers have just started to wilt...

[mumofstig]

If they're still green and growing they'll still be getting bigger, but won't taste like new ones any more.

[topgazza]

Ah, thanks. Couple of the half dozen or so I dug up were a tiny bit green..so maybe another week ?

[DD.]

If they were green, the light is getting to them. Were they near the surface? If so you may need to throw a bit more compost on them.

[topgazza]

I didn't know that. A couple were near the surface. Most are very deep in the bag which is about 2-3 foot high. I will top up with a bit more compost as you suggest. And then check again no later than this weekend. I must admit i can't wait to eat them but happy to be patient 

Thanks

[DD.]

What you can see as green is chlorophyll, that in turn indicates the presence of a substance call "Solanine" which is toxic. See here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solanine

It's why when grown in open ground, spuds are hilled up, or other techniques used to exclude light.

[topgazza]

I wondered why that was...cheers.