Charlotte potatoes, is this normal?

[SusieG]

Seems a bit of a silly question. ... I planted 5 Charlotte tubers each into 3 grow bags(first week of August) - earthing them up as the green tops grow. They have now reached the top of the bags and obviously no space left for more compost. I wasn't expecting this rate of growth yet, is this normal?

[Potstubsdustbins]

Yes the haulm will be well over the top of the bag.

Now is the time to watch your watering regime ignore the rain it will do very little good as the haulm will act as an umbrella and they will need plenty of water and a feed as the tubers will start to swell.

[SusieG]

Thanks Potstubsdustbins! Wasn't sure re watering as I thought if the haulms were very wet it encourages blight ... Or am I totally barking up the wrong tree ...?
What feed to use, please?

[Snow]

Potatoes started in the summer obviously grow a bit quicker than those in the spring due to the greater warmth. Sounds like yours are doing great.

Always best to water potatoes at the base of the plants so as not to get the leaves unnecesarily wet and
encourage blight.

[WendyC]

When do you generally get your first frost. By my reckoning they won't be ready until the end of October to mid November. Have you somewhere to move them under cover?

[SusieG]

When do you generally get your first frost. By my reckoning they won't be ready until the end of October to mid November. Have you somewhere to move them under cover?

Hi Wendy, first frost October - and I have plenty of space for them to be moved into the GH.

[Potstubsdustbins]

About week 6 I would give them a dose of Tomorite and then repeat once a fortnight.