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Potatoes in containers - what difference does size of container make?

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  • #1

    Potatoes in containers - what difference does size of container make?

    Bigger is better. Right?

    I'm wondering what difference it makes to the yield if the container is bigger. Bigger means that you can grow more potato seeds in them, and therefore should get more tubers come harvest time. But I wonder how things work in practice.

    If you grew potatoes in one 50L container, woudl you end up with the same as if you grew the same number of potato seeds in two containers, each 25L?
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  • #2
    Without doing a trial, I would imagine it is difficult to answer. As is would you get bigger spuds/larger harvest if you planted less seed..........Do an experiment Snow & see how you get on.
    Last edited by Bigmallly; 01-02-2015, 10:06 PM.
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    • #3
      I don't think anyone has a definitive answer to be honest. Last year I grew potatoes in 40 litre bags and planted 5 tubers as per the supplier's advice. But this year they have changed that advice to growing individual tubers in 8 litre bags. I suppose the idea is that you give the potatoes the most room to grow and thereby get bigger potatoes, but personally I think the amount of growing space is only part of the equation. Either way, I'll follow the advice to plant in 8 litre bags this year and see what difference it makes!

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      • #4
        I suppose in the soil they grow roots in an area about 18in in diameter by about 12ins deep, by the time they're earthed up - so as long as you supply this in a pot, then you should get a fair yield.
        You have to be careful to supply as much feed and water as they would get in the soil though.

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        • #5
          I always thought rule of thumb was 10 litre per tattie but then again I could have dreamt it, it wouldn't be the first time..............
          sigpic“Gorillas are very intelligent, but they don't have to be as delicate as chimps -- they can just smash open the termite nest,”
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          Official Member Of The Nutters Club - Rwanda Branch.
          -------------------------------------------------------------------
          Sent from my ZX Spectrum with no predictive text..........
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          • #6
            Yeah looks like I'm gonna have to run some tests this year I think. At least at the end we should have a better idea and it'll be some fun to do. I'll have a think.

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            • #7
              18L compost per seed potato.

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              • #8
                I think one issue with smaller containers is that they are harder to keep watered, and potatoes need plenty of water. I would suspect that 2 1/2 size containers would give a smaller total than 1 full sized one unless you had a good watering system, particularly in hot weather. Just guessing though.
                A life is like a garden. Perfect moments can be had, but not preserved, except in memory. LLAP. - Leonard Nimoy

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                • #9
                  #3 I think that might just be T & M advice, take it with a pinch of salt. I used 10/12lt buckets 1 seed per container and just get away with it.

                  Same thing with 5 seeds per 40lt container, just to much to get the most from your crop. I plant 4 per 80lt dustbin and find that is about as many as will grow well.
                  Last edited by Potstubsdustbins; 02-02-2015, 01:36 PM.
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                  • #10
                    I've got far too many Rocket seed potatoes so I might experiment with them and see what happens. I intend to grow them in either bags or 30l pots and might try 2, 3 and 4 to a container instead of my intended 3 each. Will report back if I do this (if I remember!).
                    A life is like a garden. Perfect moments can be had, but not preserved, except in memory. LLAP. - Leonard Nimoy

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                    • #11
                      I am probably too generous with space (i use 45 ltr containers with 3 or 4 spuds in) but I do think you can grow them closer if they are first earlies because they dont get very big anyway.As has been said growing in small pots makes it harder to ensure consistent watering.
                      photo album of my garden in my profile http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...my+garden.html

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                      • #12
                        when I did container spuds. I used containers twice that size Bill HH and only one plant per container.

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                        • #13
                          Watering isn't too much of a problem for me as I am home in the day each day and get into a routine of watering everyday when it's warm. I've got some plans now, just need to put them into action!

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                          • #14
                            Originally posted by heirloomsquash View Post
                            when I did container spuds. I used containers twice that size Bill HH and only one plant per container.
                            Blimey I would need a bigger garden.
                            photo album of my garden in my profile http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...my+garden.html

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                            • #15
                              I only grow first earlies and salad spuds in 10/12 litre containers because what I want there is relatively small tubers. Seconds and maincrops get 15/17 litres and if I was growing multiples in single containers I'd still aim for 12/15 litres per seed. One useful trick if you're growing multiples in a large bag is to put two seeds at opposite corners, cover them with a couple of inches of compost then plant another two at diagonally opposite corners.

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