potato experiment

[wingnut]

I purchased thisfor $0.27. Inside were...four sprouted ones and a dead shriveled one.I placed them on some potting soil in a pot with the shoot tips about even, and filled up until just tips of shoots showed. Useing a couple of techniques over the next week or two I will get rooted sprouts and such then plant everything in one row and see how much I get from 27 cents worth of old seed taters! Any guesses?

[wmontanez]

I say average 2.5lb per tuber/plant....I guess about 10-12lbs total

[wingnut]

Well I'm gonna say 20# plus.... but I'm being optimistic!

[wingnut]

After four days of cloudy/sunny days with intermittent showers I have theseSnapped off six sproutsplanted them all on hereSam and I hope for 20+pounds.These will be hilled once only, as I feel it is a little late start....or is it?

[Rainforest Tom]

If these spuds grow well it will be a real inexpensive harvest! I tried to grow potatoe here in the Rainforest but they only get 4-6" high then die...maybe I should try higher hills!

[Rainforest Tom]

Will the black soil clumps with the fine root systems also shoot a potatoe plant? Interesting...

[wingnut]

Rf tom those black clumps of soil with roots sticking out are the original shoots you see in photo #3 above. that was the point of putting them in the pot of soil was so I could plant them seperated after rooting from the main tuber which will make more shoots.

[wmontanez]

Wingnut,
Keep the pics flowing. I think the best picture is the gardener in pajamas that has a smile that says it all! Good luck and plenty harvest.

[Rainforest Tom]

Yes very interesting experiment! Keep us posted on progress...

[wingnut]

Wendy, that little man spent six hours with Tom and I planting potatoes. He had to stay out of our hair the whole time, and never complained or whined once. He just turned 3 last sunday and truly is a joy to be around.......except when he's not!LOL I will keep taking pics and we will see what happens!