Information and discussion for successfully cultivating potatoes, the world's fourth largest crop.
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#1 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Arkansas
Posts: 134
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i all. I've had limited success with container potatoes. In fact, I'm really new at it. In my greenhouse, I've had successes (and failures) growing all kinds of veggies in containers for 2 years now. Before that, outside in containers. Before that, traditional gardening. I started vertical gardening with some of the containers in the greenhouse, to save space, and had some success and failure there as well making adjustments as I go. Ok, enough of the background. What I've done is create a potato tower, attempting to grow potatoes and sweet potatoes, vertically. I have 40 containers in a 2' x 10' space--24 potatoes and 16 sweets. I'd welcome any feedback based on your experience with container-grown potatoes. And, the reason is because I've just completed it and can make adjustments now if needed. I don't mind feedback here or on the YouTube channel. Thank you.
Here's the video: https://youtu.be/-iCA_Lk7BgA Brent Last edited by Brent M; June 27, 2016 at 09:12 PM. |
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#2 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: MA
Posts: 778
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Depends on the potatoes you select to grow. Anything commercially available is just wasting dirt to get towers. By commercial available I am talking Yukon Gold, Red Norland, Russet Burbank and the like. From other container growers I found that going above 16in depth also does not produce much difference.
Sweet potatoes: Growing vertically means trellising the greens upwards. I suppose a depth of 12in or so is more than enough to the roots to develop. If possible select a bush type. The vines of sweet potato that tend to sprawl have to be secured (tied) to the trellis because it does not have tendrils like cucumbers/peas/watermelon. Is worth mentioning that sweet potato greens are edible too. For the both types of potatoes, mulching helps with moisture retention.
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Wendy |
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#3 | |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Arkansas
Posts: 134
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Brent |
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#4 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Rhode Island
Posts: 163
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Brent - what varieties are you using in the towers? Success with planting deeply will require staying away from determinate potatoes. And Wendy is correct, stay away from commercial potatoes if you are planting anywhere over 16-18" deep.
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#5 | |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Arkansas
Posts: 134
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I have two potatoes growing--an indeterminate and a determinate. And, sweet potatoes. Every little detail is in the video including the varieties. Hope this clears things up a little. I think folks see "growing vertically" and automatically go to all the assumptions where folks keep stacking structure/dirt on top of the same plant. In my situation, this isn't the case. Still would love to hear your thoughts after. Brent |
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#6 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: MA
Posts: 778
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Brent
You are making use of vertical space that is a good concept for people that don't have enough land as long as the have the resources to built the infrastructure. I grow climbing crops that have tendrils as a way to maximize my plot area (watermelon, peas, cucumber etc) Two things come to mind: when you re-plant your harvested crop, I found that by chilling the potato tuber for 2-3 weeks then planting it, the tuber breaks dormancy and grows. If planted right away sometimes it rots. Secondly, the sweet potato growing tips can be eaten stir fry
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Wendy |
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#7 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Rhode Island
Posts: 163
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Brent, for someone doing something similar, check on this. This is from a member of the Kenosha Potato Project living in Japan.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...type=3&theater |
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#8 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: earth
Posts: 35,997
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I watched the video it looks nice.
Have you considered jut taking the sweet potato vine without cutting it and pegging it in more containers? Worth
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Happy Fermenting. ![]() I ![]() Worth |
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#9 | |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Arkansas
Posts: 134
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Brent |
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#10 | |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Arkansas
Posts: 134
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Brent |
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#11 | |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Arkansas
Posts: 134
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Brent |
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#12 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: St. Louis
Posts: 79
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I recycled recycling bins from the last waste hauler that did not want them back to be my sweet potato containers. I picked up the slips so late on a whim as I bought strawberries at a local farm/market. In 5 weeks, they are super healthy with the vine streaming down on the patio. I can't wait to harvest them in late Oct.
I added small bag of humus & manure and a large bag of black kow compost to the soil already in the bins. The compost has really recharged the bins. Time to give them a little fertilizer 0-0-22. And I'll steep a little Black Strap. Saw another YouTube video that finally show how to grow white potatoes in basic of terms. So it got me thinking about try them next year. I picked up 3 tubtrugs. Or maybe I'll get some those garden plant bags to be able to plant both. Your vertical idea is so very interest. More work than I can do by myself. Did you have a video of the size of your harvest? My sister is so wonderful to give me the space on her patio for all these containers. She says nothing about the extra water useage during the summer. She even will helps me dump over containers to find the tubers. She even let me plant blueberries and blackberries at her house. We all enjoy the bountiful harvest. This year it should be good! |
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#13 | |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Arkansas
Posts: 134
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You sister sounds amazing and I'm glad you have an avenue to grow some food! I sure hope you have a bumper crop. Post back if you like. Love hearing grow stories. Brent |
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#14 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Laurinburg, North Carolina, zone 7
Posts: 3,084
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#15 |
Tomatovillian™
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: NJ, zone 7
Posts: 3,162
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Thanks for sharing. It is interesting concept. Definitely worth trying. Many good points.
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