EARTHING UP
Earthing up (sometimes call hilling) will allow the
production of more potatoes in a tall container. We
discussed the pros and cons of earthing up in this
previous page.
If you have decided to earth up you potatoes then first do
it when the shoots of the potato plant are about 10cm / 4in
above the surface of the compost. Simply add more compost
until the shoots are 2cm / ¾in above the compost surface. Repeat
this process whenever the shoots are 10cm / 4in above the
surface of the compost until the compost is 3cm /
1in below the top of the container.
POSITION AND CLIMATE
The primary care need for the plants at their young
stage is to prevent them suffering from frost. If the frost
gets to the leaves they will be blackened and growth will be
severely checked with lower crops and produced later in the
year. If a frost threatens it's best to temporarily move the
container to a frost free position. The potato plants won't
suffer unduly if the have little or no light for a couple of
days but they will be severely damaged if subjected to frost
for only an hour or two.
Another trick with potatoes in containers if a frost
threatens is to add more compost to the container so that
the shoots are just covered. This will protect them from
most frosts and they will easily grow through the compost in
a few days without any ill effects at all. You are, in
effect, earthing up at an earlier stage than you might
normally do.
Frost aside, the best position for growing potatoes in
containers is one in full sunlight and where the air is
moving. Stagnant air, especially in damp conditions is a
sure fire recipe for Potato Blight.
WATERING POTATO PLANTS IN
CONTAINERS
The next essential for potatoes in containers at all stages
of their life is water. Potato plants absorb a lot of water
so be prepared to water your potatoes frequently, daily if
necessary, in hot conditions. The taller the plants become
the more water they will need.
When watering your potato plants try to aim the water at
the base of the plant on the compost rather than the leaves.
This will avoid leaf scorch and will also reduce the risk of
potato blight because the foliage will not become damp.
FEEDING POTATO PLANTS IN CONTAINERS
If you have followed our instructions throughout you will
have added a handful or two of blood, fish and bone when you
planted your seed potatoes. Repeat this in late July working
the blood, fish and bone lightly into the soil with your
hands.
Every two weeks, starting from the first week in May to
the first week in September, feed your potato plants with
tomato feed according to the pack instructions. If you use
general purpose feed it will encourage too much foliage
growth; tomato feed however will encourage potato tuber
growth.
GENERAL CARE OF POTATO PLANTS IN CONTAINERS
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When you are watering or feeding your potato plants keep an
eye out for flowers. Where they appear pinch them off with
your fingers. he reason for this is that the flowers will
soon "set" and start to produce seed.
This takes some small
amount of energy from the potato plants (not much though)
and pinching out the flowers causes all the energy to go
into producing tubers. |
It is worth mentioning at this point that, yes, potato
plants do produce flowers, and sometimes very attractive
ones. The flowers are pollinated and then produce berries.
True potato seed is created in the berries and if left, they
fall to the ground and a small amount of seeds will
germinate and produce new potato plants next year.
NEXT STEPS
Having cared for your potato throughout the growing season
the last task will be to harvest and store your potatoes.
Click that link below or the "NEXT POTATO PAGE" at the
bottom of this page.
HOW TO CHIT / SPROUT
POTATOES
PREPARING TO PLANT YOUR
POTATOES
HOW TO PLANT
POTATOES IN CONTAINERS
HARVESTING POTATOES IN CONTAINERS
HOW TO STORE
POTATOES
GROWING POTATOES
IN CONTAINERS FOR CHRISTMAS
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