Potato height

[baggyman]

Is the height of the foliage any indication of the potential crop?

My potatoes aren't exactly towering at the moment probably coz I earthed them up too soon and I think they have been severely knocked back!

[Potstubsdustbins]

Earthing up should not knock them back, have you had plenty of rain where you are?

Colin

[Croila]

This is only my second year growing tatties but last year I had some pretty rampant foliage and not a massive yield. So, maybe not?

[baggyman]

hardly any rain to speak of until the last few days so that may be a factor but there are some people on the allotment that have huge foliage.

[maggiethomas]

Our spuds are looking much bigger foliage-wise than the neighbour's on our allotment, but we've been watering them every week as it's been very dry here. No idea whether their's have been watered or not, though I suspect not.

Maggie

[solway cropper]

Some varieties produce much more top than others and if you have too much nitrogen in the soil you're likely to get a lot of soft luxuriant growth. You won't know what sort of crop you've got till you dig em up.

[Potstubsdustbins]

Potatoes require lots of water and seem to do best in wet years.

As to the amount of haulm they say that with main crops as the haulm dies back it feeds the tubers not sure if its true.

As the tubers form I like to feed with a high potash feed such as Tomorite others will suggest an organic version I am sure so you will be able to choose.

Colin

[Flummery]

It could be down to variety but also, as people have said, amount of water and nitrogen. If you can water, particularly in the few weeks before harvesting is due, you will improve your yield.

[Snadger]

I aree with flum! There are big differences in foliage height depending on variety. The tallest spuds I ever grew were Pink Fir Apple who's foliage towered about 5 foot high!
In that case I had a tremedous crop, but sometrimes tall lush foliage caused by too much nitrogen/overwatering or shade can have a detremental effect on the tuber crop!

[Aberdeenplotter]

height doesn't indicate anything, however if the haulms or shaws as we call them up here are strong and thick there is a good likelihood of a decent crop.