Too much leaf on my spuds

[annacruachan]

I'm growing potatoes in containers and am horrified to find that they are growing like mad - all up and out of the containers. I can no longer earth them up! What am I doing wrong? They are in dustbin size bins, have a layer of seaweed at the bottom with compost on top. I have used no fertiliser of any kind on them. They do not even have flowers yet, so it can't be that they are ready to pick.
I'd be really grateful for some help on this, please: what is making it happen and what I can do about it.

[zazen999]

Just earth up as much as you can, make sure they don't get too dry and leave them to it.

It usually happens when their light is a bit limited, but when the foliage starts dying down they will be ready. Or you can furtle a bit to see if there are any of picking size.

If they topple over, they can be cut back but only do this if absolutely necessary.

[annacruachan]

Thanks, Zazen. I have loaded some seaweed between the plants on a couple of the earlies, but don't know if the salt on the stems will affect it adversely. At least the seaweed can be piled up without falling off like compost.

[SarzWix]

The top growth is often quite big Mine usually ends up flopping all over the place from the ones in containers, and they are in full sun here. They do need some decent top growth to photosynthesize and feed the crop below ground - it probably wouldn't look so massive if they weren't already so high up...

If you've reached the top of the container, don't earth up any more, you need a bit of space for watering

[annacruachan]

Not much chance of their getting dry here!

[quark1]

Would advise you place a cane at the extreme side/edges of the bins - if in a group - so you can offer some support to the growth above ground. Do it now before any bad, windy weather if poss. Just place in as carefully as you can to avoid any damage to your hidden treasures beneath the surface.

I lost some top growth last year at a time when wind was about - but still had a good crop.

Just cane-up next year, when you plant, so that when the growth exceeds expectations you can keep the 'triffids' tidy and safe with a little string! And ENJOY your spuds.

[gojiberry]

The more top the more you are likely to have a good crop underneath. It is the top growth that generates the energy for the potatoes to form. One row I had last year grew up and got so top heavy they toppled over , but continued growing in a horizontal fashion and ended up with the top of the plant about 3' to the left of the original tuber. I had one of the best crops ever.

Ian

[coreopsis]

The more top the more you are likely to have a good crop underneath. It is the top growth that generates the energy for the potatoes to form. One row I had last year grew up and got so top heavy they toppled over , but continued growing in a horizontal fashion and ended up with the top of the plant about 3' to the left of the original tuber. I had one of the best crops ever.

Ian

3' away from the original one???What spuds were you growing?

[annacruachan]

Thanks peeps! I have stopped panicking!

[toastie]

The ones we have planted in pots are doing much the same - they've been earthed up as much as they can be now and just plan to keep them watered and let them grow. As its the first time we've tried them in pots will see how well they do. The potatoes in the allotment look like they're doing well too - here's hoping.

[selfraising]

Yep mine are about 8 inches above the top of their grow bags now but I did notice what looks like the start of a flower bud so am getting really excited!

[baggyman]

Are they ready when the flower dies?

[teakdesk]

Are they ready when the flower dies?

Depends on variety.

I always take as a general rule, 1st and 2nd earlies are harvested as immature tubers (ie small salad potatoes and before they get as big as they would if left). The flowers won't have come by this immature stage.

Maincrop are left until the tubers are mature and this occurs after they have flowered and the foliage died back.

[Two_Sheds]

I have a couple of pots of spuds on my patio as an experiment - the topgrowth is now 2' tall.
The lotty ones are much shorter and stronger looking ... only about 8" tall, but bushy.

[Mac]

Depends on variety.

I always take as a general rule, 1st and 2nd earlies are harvested as immature tubers (ie small salad potatoes and before they get as big as they would if left). The flowers won't have come by this immature stage.

Maincrop are left until the tubers are mature and this occurs after they have flowered and the foliage died back.

Hi

This is my first year growing anything and have got tatties in ground and in grow bags. The ones in the ground (rocket) have started to flower so we had a furtle yesterday - and nothing! Well, a couple of tiny tubers but I had thought (after reading various books and confusing myself) that there would be a bit more than that now. Any ideas?