More on Potatoes in Containers
As an experiment this year we are trying out some new containers for growing potatoes. We want a higher yield for less effort. We've decided to use three gallon builders' buckets as our basic containers, which are often available on offer at a pound each in ironmongers and DIY stores.
So - take a pair of buckets, and in at the bottom of the first drill about 30 holes a quarter of an inch in diameter. Cover the base of the container with compost, about three inches deep, and place three large vigorous chitted tubers, main crop or second early, in it. The bucket is filled as the plants grow.
When drilling holes in containers, place a wooden board underneath to drill into, otherwise the plastic will split.
In the second bucket, drill a hole big enough for a jigsaw blade, about one inch from the edge of the base. Invert the bucket and carefully cut out the base with a jigsaw, leaving about an inch at the edge for strength.
When the potatoes in the first bucket have reached the top and the bucket is full,, firm down the soil, put the container where it won't be disturbed and put the second bucket over the top. As the potatoes continue to grow, fill up the second bucket, and water and feed heavily as the plants develop. The potatoes will have about six gallons of compost between them, and should make large, healthy plants. Mine (Golden Wonder, Congo and Maris Piper) are enormous, and all have flowered profusely - an indication that they are full size.
We are hoping for yields in the region of 6 lbs per double container. When we have results they will be posted below.
RESULTS (using three seed tubers)
1. MARIS PIPER
Pots emptied 23 Jul 04; no tubers in top pot; 3lb 12oz tubers all in the
bottom 4 inches of lower pot. All tubers confined to this layer.
Virtually no blight damage, though the
leaves showed early symptoms of blight. All tubers large, and the plants
large and vigorous. It seems that the
top pot has just ensured that the plants prosper- the
tubers formed were about the same size as when grown in the ground.
2. SALAD BLUE
Pots emptied 12 Aug 04; no tubers in top pot.; 3.0 lbs in
bottom 7 inches of lower pot. Tubers large. Leaves
showed mid-symptoms of blight (brown blotches); some trace of blight
smell with a quarter of the tubers. Tubers same size as when grown
in the ground.
3. GOLDEN WONDER
1st pot emptied 12 Aug 04; two small tubers in top pot; the rest
in bottom 9 inches of lower pot. One small blighted tuber; all others
sound. Weight 2lb 6oz. Tubers mainly small. Enormous healthy haulms
which might have grown for another 2-3 weeks but which were showing
secondary symptoms of blight. (brown blotches on a large proportion
of the leaves).
2nd pot emptied 26 Aug; no tubers in top pot; 3lb 14oz distributed through the whole of the lower pot. No blight on tubers. Persistent blight on foliage, but contained. Some of the smallest tubers entirely white.
3rd pot emptied 3 Sep; no tubers in top pot; 3lb 2oz spread throughout the lower pot. No blight on tubers. Persistent blight on foliage, but contained. Some of the smallest tubers entirely white.
SUMMARY
Maris Piper...... 3lb 12oz
Congo............... 3lb 00oz
Golden Wonder 2lb 06oz
Golden Wonder 3lb 14oz
Golden Wonder 3lb 02oz
Three seed tubers per pot.
FOR COMPARISON: SINGLE 3-GALLON POTS, 2005
Sarpo Mira ........(14 weeks) 1lb 2oz; replanted...(another 10 weeks) 0lb 8oz
Majestic ............(15 weeks) 2lb 6oz
Majestic ............(15 weeks) 2lb 1oz
Majestic ............(16 weeks) 2lb 1oz
Majestic ............(16 weeks) 2lb 6oz
Majestic ............(16 weeks) 1lb 12oz
Salad Blue .........(16 weeks) 2lb 2oz
Victoria .............(16 weeks) 2lb 4oz
Golden Wonder (18 weeks) 2lb 4oz
Sarpo Mira........(22 weeks) 1lb 11oz
Sarpo Mira........(22 weeks) 1lb 10oz
Sarpo Mira........(22 weeks) 1lb 10oz
Sarpo Mira........(22 weeks) 1lb 15oz
Sarpo Mira........(22 weeks) 2lb 00oz
Sarpo - one seed tuber per pot. Others - three per pot.
Over the years I've found that the number of seed
tubers has only a small effect on yield.
I might look into this another year.
BOTTOMLESS 3-GALLON POTS, 2005
Very heavy watering throughout. Only Golden Wonder were grown.
These plants all reached 7ft in height
and the haulms were trained up a framework to avoid them collapsing in
wind or rain. Growmore was applied twice; once at the start and again when the
plants reached 5ft.Tubers were as large as a hen's egg or larger;
about a third of the yield was big enough to bake. The plants seemed to
benefit from being able to root into the ground. All tubers
were confined to the pots.
Pot 1 19 weeks 1lb 4oz (shaded)
Pot 2 20 weeks 2lb 4oz (partially shaded)
Pot 3 20 weeks 3lb 3oz (full exposure, in a row)
Pot 4 20 weeks 3lb 2oz (full exposure, in a row)
Pot 5 20 weeks 3lb 8oz (full exposure, in a row)
Three seed tubers per pot.
Nigel Deacon / Diversity website
