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 Post subject: Growing potatoes
PostPosted: Thu Jun 15, 2017 3:14 pm 
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I am not much of a gardener but I am trying. I planted a potato in a pot and the plant is looking very nice. I noticed that there is a "fruit" looking thing near where the blossoms have fallen off. Should I prune this? Also, how many days until harvest? I planted from an actual potato so I don't have a seed packet or anything from a pot to go by.

Thanks. planosmith


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 Post subject: Re: Growing potatoes
PostPosted: Fri Jun 16, 2017 8:58 am 
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Location: Fort Worth,TEXAS
When did you plant the potato, how large is the pot? What variety is it and where are you?

Here in Fort Worth I didn't get my potatoes planted early this year, except for a few tiny buds that stuck around from last year's crop. I missed watering and pest control in a timely manner and the tops died off but I am finding small potatoes when I work in that garden now. Typically you would plant potatoes in the winter and they would be harvested by now, though I've heard Howard talk about leaving potatoes in the ground until you want to use them (if you can find them).

Poke around in the soil under the plant and see how it looks. You can pick a few of the new potatoes and not harm the plant if you're not ready to harvest the entire thing yet. The tops tend to get pretty ragged looking when it's time to harvest. You don't need to do anything about flowers or seeds on the plant. I have better luck with red lasoda than other varieties.

I hope this helps.

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 Post subject: Re: Growing potatoes
PostPosted: Fri Jun 16, 2017 10:17 am 
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Thanks for the info. I live in SW Arkansas.

I planted Yukon gold from a bag of organic ones from the grocery store. I bought 2 fairly large (20 gallon?) pots and cut most of the sides out of one. I put that inside the other one and then planted in the top one. I am supposed to be able to lift the top pot out to check on the development but have not done that yet. Will wait another month or so since I think I started it early April.

I will try to post again with results in about a month.

planosmith


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 Post subject: Re: Growing potatoes
PostPosted: Fri Jun 16, 2017 11:17 am 
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Location: Fort Worth,TEXAS
How large is the plant on top? You can gently push away dirt from the roots and see if you have potatoes, you can even pick a couple to use now. If they start to push through the soil into the light be sure to cover the potatoes again - if they grow in the light an have a green patch you need to cut off that green bit before eating it, they apparently can make you a bit ill. I don't have any more information than that cautionary remark I've heard from gardeners over the years.

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