The potato barrel thing

[JonFrum]

I've been growing potatoes in trenches for three years now, and I've just learned about the spuds-in-a-barrel concept. From what I've put together online, this is how I understand it. The idea is that if you keep mounding up soil or mulch, the plant keeps putting out stolons up the underground portion of the stem, which results in more tubers.

I also see online that many people fail to generate extra tubers in the upper portion of the barrel. I've seen this explained by the difference between determinate and indeterminate varieties. Supposedly, determinate (short season) varieties don't produce new stolons up the stem, whereas indeterminate (long season) varieties do. So people who stick random (often determinate) potatoes in to a barrel end up unhappy.

Does this make any sense? I've stuck a few russets ( supposedly indeterminate) into a barrel to see, but the results will take a while.

[RebelRidin]

Hi Jon,

I beleive you have this just right. With potatoes it is the stolons at issue rather than the meristem.

[Tracydr]

So, I'm growing some sort of red potato. I can't remember what the guy told me they are. A fairly common red variety. Would these be a type that is determinate or indeterminate?
And, how much leaf do you need to keep sticking up above the mulch? I assume they need some leaf showing so as to be able to continue to photosynthesize? Is there a point where you need to stop mounding and let the plant start concentrating on top growth?

[JonFrum]

Tracy - the standard practice is to plant in trenches about 5-6 inches deep, and fill in and hill up as they grow. You're really just covering the plant to make sure no sunlight gets to the tubers and turns them green (poisonous). I generally don't cover them until they're about eight inches high, and then I go about halfway up at a time. If you're growing in a trench, you'll only have enough soil to go about eight inches up the stems - after that, you just let them grow. I use stakes and string to keep the stems upright and save space for other crops.

Both Red Norland and Red Pontiac are determinate.

[Medbury Gardens]

Hi Jon,ive never tryed growing in barrels with the idea of mounding up as the potato grows taller but i think i really should have a go because i recon ive got just the right spud for the job.'Moie moie' this indeterminate variety can grow stolons above ground half way out to the end of its stems

[Tracydr]

Thanks Jon! These might be red Pontiac, I really don't remember. Came from somebody in West TX. I think they're supposed to be early?
I planted 4-6" deep in a raised bed NE have been mulching with straw.
It's getting really hot but so far they look healthy. This is my first time with potatoes. I'm concerned that my pH is probably way too high, plus weather is not optimal.
Might try a fall crop in some improved soil, maybe using a big container or lots of sulpher.