Potatoes

[jinman]

Now then back on topic.....the farmers out here will tell you this....you can't have a big potato plant without a big potato. They have been growing potato's on some of this ground longer than most of you have been alive......so if that is what they do...that is what I will do.

I am certain that if that is the way everyone around me did, I'd be doing the same. The only reason I cut my potatoes is that's what my daddy told me to do when I was a kid. He was a child of the depression and I am his child. There's no surprise that's the only way I knew to do it. I'm starting to question that.

 

[WarrenF]

I am certain that if that is the way everyone around me did, I'd be doing the same. The only reason I cut my potatoes is that's what my daddy told me to do when I was a kid. He was a child of the depression and I am his child. There's no surprise that's the only way I knew to do it. I'm starting to question that.

Please don't change because of what I say. The reason God made horse races is because everyone has a different opinion...... If I was taught to cut potato's then I would probably still be cutting potato's....there is certainly nothing wrong with that. Matter of fact, last year I had about ten feet of row left to plant and did not want to go to town and buy more potato's.....so I went back and picked some big ones I had all ready planted....and cut them.

I was simply bringing a different thought to the thread.

 

[Stimw]

Well I dug three plants today and the pic of the pan is what I got.
In the pic of the plant you can see the cut tater piece. looks almost good enough to eat. I replanted it to see if it will still grow. It did produce taters.
The tater size varries quit a bit.

 

[WayneB]

I only plant certified potato seed and always buy them from the same source that I trust. Maybe could get away with cheaper seed potatoes but to date I have not had any problems with this approach and will continue.

I plant three types, Norland Reds, Yukon Gold and Superior Whites. All three are good growers in my area.

We are mainly organic (if there is such a thing) and I do you cow manure on the field (s). I do not spray my crops. Figure I can control the bugs manually and to date we have not had a major problem so I stick with the no spray approach. Keep in mind if things should change I just might too.

We plant about 1 1/2 acres of potatoes and I find the key for a heavy crop is to keep the weeds down early and to hill the rows early and often. Watering is important for proper growth as well. I never have counted the amount we are getting out of the field, but it does pay the bills so I guess we are doing okay? One thing for sure when you figure the labor and cost of everything it is not a major income business fro us.

Normally I do not cut the seed potatoes unless there are really large ones and time permitting I will half cut. If so I let them sit for a day or two to dry and heal the cut.

In our area we start digging a few potatoes in mid August for our use and then do the main digging toward September timeframe for sale.

 

[DocHeb]

I only plant certified potato seed and always buy them from the same source that I trust. Maybe could get away with cheaper seed potatoes but to date I have not had any problems with this approach and will continue.

Where do you purchase your potato seed? I looked on Burpee Seed and they want $17.85 for 10 "mini-tubers." That just seems like a lot of money for potatoes.

 

[WayneB]

Where do you purchase your potato seed? I looked on Burpee Seed and they want $17.85 for 10 "mini-tubers." That just seems like a lot of money for potatoes.

Wow that is a lot of money for potatoes. I buy mine from Blue Seal Feeds and last year they were just around $17.20 for 50 lb bag. These are Maine certified potato seeds. You can also order them from mainepotatolady.com if you want to buy on line.

Her price for Superior is: (Conventional)

2.5 lb $4.25
5 Lb $7.50
10 Lb $11.25
20 Lb $14.75
50 lb $19.75

Yukon gold

Organic 50 Lb $52.00
Conventional 50 Lb $19.75

Dark Red Norland

Organic 50 Lb $52.00
Conventional 50 LB $19.75

http://www.mainepotatolady.com

 

[CDsdad]

I am certain that if that is the way everyone around me did, I'd be doing the same. The only reason I cut my potatoes is that's what my daddy told me to do when I was a kid. He was a child of the depression and I am his child. There's no surprise that's the only way I knew to do it. I'm starting to question that.

My grandfather taught his son to cut up his seed potatoes. That son taught me to cut up mine. And my 4 year old helped me cut up ours last week. If Pop had've planted them whole, I'd of had my boy help me plant them whole I guess.

I might try a few whole just to see what happens, though.

 

[Stimw]

Docheb- those taters in the pan, post 23, were grown from potatoes bought at the grocery store. I cut them and let them dry for a day before planting. If you are not growing commercially they should be OK. I read the store bought are treated not to start growing but that doesn't seem to be the case.
You can wash them good, I would think anything that would stop growth would not be edible.