A few random questions I can't find answers to

mr_gentleman · March 22, 2012

I am growing some potatoes and they are doing quite nicely...that is, as long as I keep DE around to keep the earwigs from feasting on them. So on to the questions...

All of the information I read online about adding more soil to get more potatoes growing from the stem show plants that are somewhat tall and lanky, but my potatoes are very bushy and stout. I would like to try to keep building up the soil around them and try to get more potatoes. Here are my questions, and if one is a definite no it probably isn't worth answering the next one.

1) Would it be a bad idea to cut the bottom shoots from the plant, cover and let them heal, and then add more soil?

2) If I cut the lowest shoots from my potato plants, is it possible to "clone" them like other plants?

3) Would these clones, if they take, produce tubers, or should I put them elsewhere and try to get seed from them.

wingnut · March 23, 2012

Yes, yes, and yes. But I think you would be better off just pulling an inch or two up around the plant two or three times over six weeks or so. Do you have pics of your plants?

Medbury Gardens · March 24, 2012

Could even be a idea instead of adding soil to mound up,maybe you could add a mulch like hay,straw or something similar around them.

Duets · April 3, 2012

Yes!!!! Straw works great, no need to use soil. Just leave approx 3" of stem sticking up from top.

March 22, 2012	#1
mr_gentleman Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Corona, CA Posts: 29	A few random questions I can't find answers to I am growing some potatoes and they are doing quite nicely...that is, as long as I keep DE around to keep the earwigs from feasting on them. So on to the questions... All of the information I read online about adding more soil to get more potatoes growing from the stem show plants that are somewhat tall and lanky, but my potatoes are very bushy and stout. I would like to try to keep building up the soil around them and try to get more potatoes. Here are my questions, and if one is a definite no it probably isn't worth answering the next one. 1) Would it be a bad idea to cut the bottom shoots from the plant, cover and let them heal, and then add more soil? 2) If I cut the lowest shoots from my potato plants, is it possible to "clone" them like other plants? 3) Would these clones, if they take, produce tubers, or should I put them elsewhere and try to get seed from them. __________________ "A man's interest in a single bluebird is worth more than a complete but dry list of the fauna and flora of a town. "

March 24, 2012	#3
Medbury Gardens Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Medbury, New Zealand Posts: 1,881	Could even be a idea instead of adding soil to mound up,maybe you could add a mulch like hay,straw or something similar around them. __________________ Richard

March 23, 2012	#2
wingnut Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2011 Location: bald hill area thurston county washington Posts: 312	Yes, yes, and yes. But I think you would be better off just pulling an inch or two up around the plant two or three times over six weeks or so. Do you have pics of your plants?

April 3, 2012	#4
Duets Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: NV Posts: 36	Yes!!!! Straw works great, no need to use soil. Just leave approx 3" of stem sticking up from top.