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Posted by Paul Hodder (U14288973) on Friday, 9th July 2010
Hello, this afternoon I dug up my crop of rocket earlies. The crop is okay but there were an awful lot of spuds the size of a marble. Any ideas on what I'm doing wrong? Many thanks.
Either dug too early, or lack of water. Or both.
My spuds have been much smaller this year then previously so I think its the dry weather ( the last few summers have been wet and the spuds grew huge).
Caz
I would say it`s due to the dry weather as well.
Rocket are an indeterminate variety which will keep producing small potaotes while there is fertility applying nitrogen to the crop late will encourage this. Strangely being shyort of nitrogen ealry will enocourage high tuber counts as well.
The most likely cause though is a cold spring which discouiraged growth and the recent hot weather which has required very large amounts of water
Rocket is not that good and beware Swift,it is even worse. Stick with a traditional variety -Sharpes Express,Sutton's Foremost,Arran Pilot,D of Y,etc,etc,etc. Taste is subjective of course, but I think you'd find that these old 'un are nicer!
Hello, I have the same problem with my spud's .I just wonder if it is just down to the weather and the dad start we had a lot off late frosts and i dont think the soil took a lot longer to warm up .think thats why my spud's were stunted .thats my Theary ok buddy.(p.s plz let me know what you think) THX.
, in reply to message 7.
Posted by Playingtimeaddedon (U14150224) on Saturday, 10th July 2010
My guess is that it is lack of water. Let's face it, potatoes are 90% water!
Here, in the South East, we have had very little rain for a couple of months, with people comparing it with 1976, so lack of water would certainly be a reason in this area.
With regard a food first early potato. I have grown Lady Christi and they have been excellent in taste, quality and quantity. Have now dug the last root and it will be on to Nadine next week.
Time matters.
I think back to youthful days of potato-picking. The first couple of weeks were always the hardest - small potatoes, it took forever to fill a bag.
As the weeks went on the potatoes got bigger, and the job of filling the bags got easier.
Unfortunately the price paid per bag dropped.
I think back to youthful days of potato-picking. The first couple of weeks were always the hardest
Spud picking??-how that takes me back.
I once managed 13 bags an hour for three hours then the field was cleared.
two bob a bag=£1 six shillings-a small fortune for a school boy back then.
And yes-the price per bag dropped the next time.
Most of those around me were Italian women who pitied this skinny lad and wanted to take him home and feed him.
The fact I now not skinny and did learn how to speak passable Italian must be in those days somewhere
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