There are really very few things that I seem to be able to grow with any success, and to my delight the humble potato seems to be one of those few.
It took 15 days from planting for this particular potato plant to reach these dizzying heights.
I think we'll be eating some home grown potatoes this whenever it is that potatoes are ready!
16 comments:
It's amising, Ali. Looks so healthy. I got some small potatos with eyes and I wonder if it's right time to plant it.
Ali, do you know about hilling the soil up around potatoes? As they grow, you cover up the stalk to the top pair of leaves...and keep going as they grow. I don;t know when you stop....but I am sure someone will tell you. The tatties grow up the stem and you get more. That is why some people grow them in containers...they plant them at the bottom of the container and either add soil or straw as the potato grows.
Oh thank you Hazel :) I do know about the hilling, although I don't really know when to stop either - I think you just keep on hilling. And I did hill them up after the photo, I wanted to impress everyone with how quickly they had grown first :)
MsB, I don't wait for them to chit, I just pop them in the ground and hope they know what to do... I am a lazy gardener :)
I'm certainly impressed. Are the potatoes actually the variety called "Rocket"? Mine are growing nicely now, but not at the speed of yours.
Re "hilling" (which I call "earthing-up"): I grow my spuds in containers, so I have to stop earthing-up when the rim of the container is reached. In open soil I suppose the only constraining factor is how much soil you have!
Aww thanks Mark. They aren't exciting potatoes unfortunately, just boring shop bought ones. I wanted to get something fancy at the markets but they didn't have any. I'll try again next month; they have a whole big bed to themselves so I can plant quite a few more.
And no, they aren't rocket potatoes... I was trying to be funny... you know, the potatoes were taking off.
Ali that is a fast growing potato I am at the moment nodding my head and looking very impressed
How many plants have you got?
When is your season or do you have two seasons?
Potatoes grow well here in the winter to spring time
Well first of all, you do yourself an injustice saying there aren't many things you can grow with success; you've had lots of successes.
It's a fine looking potato plant indeed.
Hey Cathy, I think I have around ten potato plants, and I have lots of space for more. I'd like to try to get a hold of a few different varieties. Where I live is a subtropical climate, with super harsh sun in the summertime, and I am learning that a lot of things you would grow in the summertime in a temperate climate are our winter crops. It's really very hot here in summer and only the hardiest things survive.
LBM if you knew how many things die in my care! I have a bit of a brown thumb.
But thank you :)
Home grown potatoes are the best - hope you have time to take a photo - I have never posted on blf about my potatoes as I am too excited to cook and eat them. I think about it after there are none left. Please post yours - although I won't blame you if you don't - yum!
Lol, okay, I will... everyone there has such wonderful produce though, I feel very inadequate!
Ali, Yes, I did understand the play on words... But I am actually growing a variety called "Rocket". Unsurprisingly it is a First Early, that matures very quickly. As does another one I am growing this year, called "Swift".
Mark asked the question I was thinking of, and coincidentally I am growing Swift too. (Today I mounded them to protect them from any late frosts.) I was thinking that you were growing them at the wrong time being down under Ali, but as you are in a warmer zone it makes sense to grow them in you winter! Their natural habitat is half way up the Andes in Chile. I would worry about blight growing them in a warmer climate. Time to compare notes with other gardeners in your zone.
Last year I earthed up my potatoes with grass clippings as well as soil. Seemed to work well. Good luck with your rocket science!
Oh that's fabulous, I had no idea there really was a rocket variety! Or a swift, in fact I don't know many varieties at all. I'm going to have to do some potato research. What's your favourite for mashing?
Kelli my dad hills his with sugar cane mulch, and that is what I will try this year, easier than dirt.
Mal we grow lots of things here at the same time as you, despite our opposing seasons. Our summers are really very harsh, while winter is a lovely mild time; lots of sun but not too strong.
I can't believe the speed of your tattie growth. We planted ours nearly 2 weeks ago, and we'll be lucky if there's any growth showing above ground. Sighs with envy!
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