Growing Potatoes in a Container

[felly]

I have just planted 5 seed potatoes in compost in a container and according to the instructions and from information on the Internet I understand I am supposed to add more compost as they grow. Do I have to completely cover all growth ie leaves and eventually flowers - this doesn't seem logical but is not clear from any of the articles I have read.

[squarebear]

No, just cover them with a bit more as they grow. You won't be able to cover them all, as they will soon grow quite tall.

[Old_Geezer]

No plant thrives if you go covering the bit that is supposed to be above ground.
Potatoes are deformed roots. My guess is that the instructions were to do with repotting to give the roots more room, or maybe feeding the plant ?

[emeritus]

I usually wait until there is around 3 inch of stem and then fill up to the base of the leaves. You may have to cover some of the leaves when you do this but they will grow through.

You should have filled the container well before they flower so dont worry about that.

Hope that helps

[felly]

Thank you squarebear, Old_Geezer and emeritus for your advice. This is the relevant extract from the instructions - "As the foliage shoots grow through the compost, keep topping up the bag gradually as they grow until the bag is full". Some articles on the Internet advise to "cover" the tubers as they grow with more soil/compost which is why I am confused. However I will follow your advice as it makes more sense.

[Hawkwalk]

the term is called earthing up and it is done to ensure that the growing spuds are covered to prevent them from turning green in the sunlight and also to encourage a higher yield. You will only need to earth up a couple of times as they grow because the foliage will eventually get too tall. You can fully cover the shoots early on but once they really get going there is no need to. In a container you can just plant them deeper and dont bother with any earthing up at all.

[rowanwitch]

I am growing spuds in a dustbin for the third year running now I keep covering to just below the last fully formed leaf until I am right to the top of the dustbin then I let them flower and die back I usually get a really good crop with charlotte . I use old compost from the pots I had the spring bulbs in rather than use fresh, and when Ive had the spuds I put it on the garden and start again.

[slinkycat]

another tip to add to those above, did you rub off all but 2 or 3 chits before you planted them? Found to my cost that if you don't, you will end up with impressive leaves and puny potatoes!

[AlBags]

Yep .. get chitting Felly!

[felly]

Just logged back in to find more answers. Thanks Hawkwalk, rowanwitch, slinkycat and Albags. However now too late to plant deeper or remove unrequired chits - neither of which were mentioned in the sketchy instructions which came with the kit but will bear in mind for next year. I suppose I could dig them up and remove the extra chits but I don't think there were more than four to each potato so am tempted to leave them and see what happens. Thanks everyone for all your advice.

[squarebear]

I wouldn't dig them up now. Let mother nature take her course. I remember when I first planted spuds and was amazed by just how many potatoes one plant could produce.

[felly]

Thanks squarebear - didn't really want to dig them up again so will take your advice.

[slinkycat]

no don't dig them up, just leave them a bit longer and you'll still get really tasty spuds, just not as many or as big (according to my dad, who is a font of knowledge!)

[felly]

OK slinkycat, will do.

[Hawkwalk]

Felly, where did you get your potato kit from?

[felly]

From www.plantoffers.com. If you look at their complete index it's listed as "FREE* Grow Your Own Potatoes Kit". You just pay £4.99 postage. You get a bag, five seed potatoes and also five packets of vegetable seeds.

[rowanwitch]

Thanks for the link...might be doing another batch...

[felly]

Just one thing Hawkwalk and rowanwitch - the bag supplied to grow the potatoes in is not as big as a dustbin - probably around half as big but they must judge it big enough for the 5 seed potatoes they supply with it. It's a good sturdy bag with handles so you can move it if you want. Also as well as the bag, potatoes and vegetable seeds you also get a Thompson and Morgan (who are the suppliers) 60 minute DVD "How to Grow Vegetables".

[rowanwitch]

sounds like a really good promotional offer..

[felly]

My potatoes have been growing for about 8 weeks now and are just a huge mass of leaves about 2 feet high. There are buds but no flowers yet. Is slinkycat right in that I am going to get puny potatoes? Suppose there is nothing to be done :(