question about my potatoes

Lidspinner · September 12, 2011

emptied my bags this weekend and I had TONS of potato skins and no potatoes...they were like big ole puff ball mushrooms that looked deflated....this was ny first year using the bags and I used a mix of composted soil and straw....I think my composted soil was a little hot and not composted enough....not sure if that made a difference or not....not to mention I watered them OFTEN, maybe to much....I really was hoping to net some potatoes but I only got like a bushel out of 12 of the big bags and 10 5 gallon buckets worth....If just half the deflated ones would have produced, I would have had 5 bushels for sure....if not more. what happened?

fortyonenorth · September 12, 2011

I'm not an expert on potatoes, but I'll offer my opinion anyway

If the compost had been too hot, the seed pieces that you initially planted would have been killed and not produced above ground growth and new tubers - but from your description, that's clearly not the case. So, I'm guessing maybe the over-watering had an impact. I used bags for the first time this year and, although I'm sure bags different from manufacturer to manufacturer, I was surprised how much moisture they retained. Even though my mix was extremely porous, they never dried out this summer - even in the dog days. Of course, I watered frequently, but still, I'm used to traditional pots drying out completely on the hottest days.

Hopefully, some of the more experienced potato heads will chime in here. in any event, don't be discouraged. Hope you get to the bottom of your problem and have a bountiful 2012!

wmontanez · September 13, 2011

I am sorry can't offer any explanation. I searched a bit and only got a post from IDigmyGarden with the same situation.

Let's see if any other potato grower knows why this happens.

wmontanez · September 18, 2011

I had about 6 plants in a box and also found "skins" like you describe...about 1/4 of them

see picture below

Lidspinner · September 19, 2011

thats it....exactly like mine...some were almost so deflated that you almost could not tell it was a potato...thanks for the pic...hope someone chimes in with a solution.

September 12, 2011	#1
Lidspinner Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2011 Location: Southern Ohio Posts: 22	question about my potatoes emptied my bags this weekend and I had TONS of potato skins and no potatoes...they were like big ole puff ball mushrooms that looked deflated....this was ny first year using the bags and I used a mix of composted soil and straw....I think my composted soil was a little hot and not composted enough....not sure if that made a difference or not....not to mention I watered them OFTEN, maybe to much....I really was hoping to net some potatoes but I only got like a bushel out of 12 of the big bags and 10 5 gallon buckets worth....If just half the deflated ones would have produced, I would have had 5 bushels for sure....if not more. what happened?

September 13, 2011	#3
wmontanez Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: MA Posts: 776	I am sorry can't offer any explanation. I searched a bit and only got a post from IDigmyGarden with the same situation. Let's see if any other potato grower knows why this happens. __________________ Wendy

September 18, 2011	#4
wmontanez Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: MA Posts: 776	I had about 6 plants in a box and also found "skins" like you describe...about 1/4 of them see picture below __________________ Wendy

September 12, 2011	#2
fortyonenorth Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: NW Indiana Posts: 1,150	I'm not an expert on potatoes, but I'll offer my opinion anyway If the compost had been too hot, the seed pieces that you initially planted would have been killed and not produced above ground growth and new tubers - but from your description, that's clearly not the case. So, I'm guessing maybe the over-watering had an impact. I used bags for the first time this year and, although I'm sure bags different from manufacturer to manufacturer, I was surprised how much moisture they retained. Even though my mix was extremely porous, they never dried out this summer - even in the dog days. Of course, I watered frequently, but still, I'm used to traditional pots drying out completely on the hottest days. Hopefully, some of the more experienced potato heads will chime in here. in any event, don't be discouraged. Hope you get to the bottom of your problem and have a bountiful 2012!

September 19, 2011	#5
Lidspinner Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2011 Location: Southern Ohio Posts: 22	thats it....exactly like mine...some were almost so deflated that you almost could not tell it was a potato...thanks for the pic...hope someone chimes in with a solution.