Temperatures are unseasonably warm, upper 80's and lower 90's during the day.
Lots of rain recently
Mulch and soil mix in each level
Fed organic fertilizer on occasion
I read by using the tires and forcing the plants to grow taller, you'd get a bigger harvest. Potatoes in all the levels, not just the base from where they started.
I pulled the tires apart, and we had 7 potatoes in one, only 3-4 are of decent size, and in the other maybe 10 potatoes, again 3-4 are decent size. The others would be considered new potatoes. Smaller than a golf ball..
Any words of wisdom? This is new to me, and I'm frankly happy we got anything at all. We tried them a few years ago, and they basically rotted in the soil, so we tried this method instead.
Help?
Izzy,
ReplyDeleteIt could be your location (climate) which is causing them not to grow. Notice most potato companies are in the cooler climates. I've been told by friends to keep the potato seeds and greens very cool at all times. I'm trying to keep mine cool, have tires around them, and the seeds were planted in soil mixed with compost. Right now the greens are about 3 to 4 feet tall. I'm hoping for a nice harvest but probably won't.
Have you tried growing sweet potatoes, there a bit easier and produce very well.
We will be trying Sweet Potatoes. Our friends are having great success with them.
DeleteMy understanding is that there are certain types of potatoes that only have one set of tubers to they don't work well for tires or towers. Others will continue to sprout more tubers as they are covered up so they work better. Could be the type of potatoes that you are planting.
ReplyDeleteWe are planting the typical red potatoes that grow well in south FL. I think we just got too hot, and I may have over fertilized.
DeleteOur past two years have been lousy for potatoes too. Do you think yours are getting blight? Mine look really healthy now; one is blooming! I have my fingers crossed for a better harvest.
ReplyDeleteI'll have to do some research on blight. I wouldn't know what it is or what it looks like. Good luck on your harvest.
Deletethe plant will shut down if the temp gets over 80 degrees. Also from what you have said I think you are not giving them enough fertilizer. Flowers mean that the plant is healthy but really doesn't do anything relating to the amount of spuds. In the field production we are constantly taking soil samples and plant samples to see what the plant is lacking.
ReplyDeleteDamon
I pulled out the remainder of the tires and had the plants done well, we would have had quite a few more spuds. They were there, small marble size, of about 10-15 on each plant. We are going to give them another try this fall.
DeleteHey Izzy. Saw your comment on my blog, WelcometotheHenhouse. I have a whole section on growing potatoes that I am sure you have already read. However, this is what I think your potatoes are doing. First, potatoes like it cool. In your climate I would not use tires. They are probably better for tomatoes but the black is going to just heat everything up to an unbearable temperature. Second because you are in a very hot area, and potatoes are better grown in cooler, northern climes, I would try shading them. Not deep shade. Just out of the sun. Use shade cloth or under a tree that still gets bright light but no sun. Or perhaps only morning sun and shade the rest of the day. Shade cloth will probably give you more control though.
ReplyDeleteYou may do better in ground around there where it is easier to keep the soil cool. Use deep trenches that you can hill up as you go. DO NOT FERTILIZE! Use moderately fertile soil and add bone meal. Too much nitrogen promotes green top growth which will wilt in the heat and collapse. Water only as needed. That means when they pretty much dry out. I am guessing in Florida that would mean when the top 4 to 6 inches of soil gets dry. Not desert dry and I am assuming well drained soil here. To over water is to promote rot and fungus. Bone meal is very very important. Hope this helps but if you have more questions just let me know. I get abundant potatoes every year but I do live in Washington.
Thank you, I'll check out your link again. We're going to try them again this fall, and see what happens when cooler weather finally hits.
DeleteP.S. Izzy,
ReplyDeleteIf you haven't read my post here it is.
http://welcometothehenhouse.blogspot.com/2012/09/potato-harvest.html