Big tatties

[Guykp57]

How can I get my potatoes to grow bigger than tennis ball size?


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[sammy_roser]

What method and variety have you tried so far?

[Guykp57]

Maris piper in the allotment.


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[Potstubsdustbins]

Maris Piper are a well recommended main crop spud.

They will need good fertile ground or supplementary feeding. Loads of water as the tubers form and 20 to 24 weeks in the ground.

Wait until the haulm is brown and shrivelled before harvesting, that way you should get some good chippers.

Potty

[Guykp57]

When do I put in my first earlies in..no is not time yet but?


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[WendyC]

March or April next year.

[Snadger]

You've basically got to do your own potato trials and ascertain what does well in your plot. Find out which varieties produces spuds that are the right size, have the right qualities (chippers,boilers, bakers etc) for you.
For instance, after many years trialing many varieties I have found that Kestrel do well for me. Big tatties, big croppers,multi functional, slug resistance, do well in my soil,very few small tatties,NO green tatties even though they are grown on the flat, (lifes to short for eathing up!)
The best alternative to experimentation is to ask the plot holders ether side of you what they grow regularily and that fit into your criteria.
Plenty of organic matter in the soil with a couple of handfuls of old potting compost or similar around each seed potato should ensure they get off to a good start and are not short of water or nutrients.

[Snadger]

Forgot to mention the most important thing in the above post..............and that is taste and texture!

[redser]

Apart from variety and good watering and feeding, I believe the number of chits affects how many spuds you get and the size of them. For example, a small number of chits results in fewer haulms, few spuds but bigger spuds. That's the theory anyway and I think I have noticed that to be true. So if you chit your spuds you can rub out or cut out some chits leaving just 3 or 4.

[Martin H]

I agree with redser. If you can persuade your potatoes to just put up one or two main shoots you get fewer, bigger potatoes. I don't do it with early potatoes, I think they need multiple shoots as an insurance policy against frost, slugs etc. but I usually chit my maincrop potatoes and rub out all but the two strongest chits.

I did that this year with maincrop "cara". The spuds from plants with two or three stems are pretty big, but those from plants with just one stem are huge baking potato sized ones. I'm really pleased with them.

I did the same with some other varieties that I haven't started harvesting yet, will see how they do as well.

I might try a proper experiment next year though, it might just be that this has been a really good season for potatoes in this neck of the woods.

[bearded bloke]

When do I put in my first earlies in..no is not time yet but?

Actually now is a good time to plant some in containers in a warm place,fresh "dug" new potatoes for Ch****mad Day dinner

[Greenfingerpaula]

Are there any 'big' potatoes that can be planted now, I know Charlotte and Maris Peer can be grown but I want jackets

[Kirk]

No idea how applicable this is:
Program on TV - may have been Harvest - that included potatoes.
The farmer explained that they wait for the greenery to start fading.
Then burnt them and left the potatoes in to bulk up, also to harden the skin a bit to lessen bruising/damage.

Either didn't catch or they didn't say how long the potatoes remained in without greenery, guess 2 or 3 weeks. If anyone has/uses iPlayer worth a check.

The aspect that caught me was they actively wiped out the hulms and then left the tubers in the ground for a reasonable sounding period.

My problem is mine are still a good dark green and growing happily, at this rate I will harvest them next year.

[Nicos]

Hey- Kirk...I too have a question about the same programme- so I've started a new thread for us....

http://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gra...one_75070.html

[Aberdeenplotter]

Apart from variety and good watering and feeding, I believe the number of chits affects how many spuds you get and the size of them. For example, a small number of chits results in fewer haulms, few spuds but bigger spuds. That's the theory anyway and I think I have noticed that to be true. So if you chit your spuds you can rub out or cut out some chits leaving just 3 or 4.

Spot on but it is best to cut out or gouge out the surplus sprouts otherwise they may re grow.