Expert: Richard Clark - 5/7/2008

Question
QUESTION: I have potato's growing in deep barrels and large plant pots which I have filled with compost and top soil; watered and covered so they have recieved little light. 3 weeks on and they have grown large shooting stems up to 300mm tall. The stems have buds at the end. They are now in the light but are they still going to produce? If so what should I do?

ANSWER: Ben
Expose them to sun light for short periods of time until they get use to the sun, then leave them outside. Keep them watered it would be difficult to tell how much fertilizer they might need. They should produce leaves that will help to produce potatoes. Wait for the tops to dry before digging to see what kind of crop you have.
Good luck,
Richard

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I had been told to cover up the shoots with compost as they appear to aid growth. this is impossible now as the shoots have over exceeded the top of the pots. What should i do?

Answer
Ben
The shoots are the stems that the leaves will come from. Just let them grow and produce leaves. The root parts are where the new potatoes will be forming. Just make sure the roots are covered so as not to expose the new tubers.
Good Luck,
Richard














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