02-20-2017, 01:29 PM
We just harvested our first batch of experimental container potatoes.
We planted two 10-gallon containers with blue potatoes (bought as seed potatoes) and 1 container with russet from the store. Both performed similarly. We harvested early for new potatoes because we wanted to see if the experiment was working. It was. The yield was just over 4 times the potatoes out versus seed potatoes in (using the non-scientific "eyeballed" method). Both varieties were determinate, so the potatoes were only at the bottom of the container. Yield may have been higher if we let them continue to grow.
We have a 4th container ready to check but we didn't harvest yet. Feeling around we can tell it contains an indeterminate type and the potatoes on the top are big, however we brought it inside so that it can start drying out for harvest in a week or two (or else we'll have way too many potatoes).
We have other container potato experiments running with different varieties and I will update when we find out what's happening beneath the surface.
We planted two 10-gallon containers with blue potatoes (bought as seed potatoes) and 1 container with russet from the store. Both performed similarly. We harvested early for new potatoes because we wanted to see if the experiment was working. It was. The yield was just over 4 times the potatoes out versus seed potatoes in (using the non-scientific "eyeballed" method). Both varieties were determinate, so the potatoes were only at the bottom of the container. Yield may have been higher if we let them continue to grow.
We have a 4th container ready to check but we didn't harvest yet. Feeling around we can tell it contains an indeterminate type and the potatoes on the top are big, however we brought it inside so that it can start drying out for harvest in a week or two (or else we'll have way too many potatoes).
We have other container potato experiments running with different varieties and I will update when we find out what's happening beneath the surface.