chickweed Posted July 13, 2010 Share Posted July 13, 2010 A few flowers appeared on some of my potatoes and then disappeared. In fact nearly all the potatoes in my garden appear to have been nipped in the bud. I presume that birds are to blame. The plants look healthy and there is no sign of any pests, diseases or dying back. Does anyone know if losing these buds will affect the yield? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted July 13, 2010 Share Posted July 13, 2010 not all potatoes flower some produce flower buds but drop them before they flower I work to 10 12 weeks for first earlies 14-16 weeks for secound earlies the 2 weeks after the plants die off for main crop this lets the skin set for storage I grow about 70 varieties 30 modern the rest heritage/conservation about half flowered this year none of the first earlies did Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C&T Posted July 13, 2010 Share Posted July 13, 2010 The bloomin chooks have got hold of my potatoes when I wasn't looking They are now somewhat pruned... I am hoping that they recover sufficiently to give me some good potatoes, otherwise the chooks will be going into room 101!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted July 13, 2010 Share Posted July 13, 2010 The bloomin chooks have got hold of my potatoes when I wasn't looking They are now somewhat pruned... I am hoping that they recover sufficiently to give me some good potatoes, otherwise the chooks will be going into room 101!! I thourght it was only my lot that had a taste for potato leaves I've lost 3 pots to them ones been re planted twice as soon as the shoots appeared the got pecked Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chickweed Posted July 13, 2010 Author Share Posted July 13, 2010 I can't blame the chickens. Maybe I have a variety that drops its buds before they flower. Thanks sjp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
