From

Location

Message

Date Posted

Follansbee, Wv

Who cuts their seed potatoes? I usually do and then let them dry for a day or two before planting. Today, I cut my potatoes, but because of bad weather coming I went ahead and planted them. Anyone have any thoughts on this?

4/1/2005 5:51:41 PM

New Hampshire

They will be fine

4/1/2005 9:39:30 PM

Benton Ky

My grandpa always dipped them in sulfur before planting

4/1/2005 10:08:15 PM

The Garden State

They should be fine. I do this every year and I have had no problems. In fact I planted mine last Thursday.

4/1/2005 10:09:27 PM

Mill Creek West by god Virginia

monty i both cut my potatoes and also ive planted the peels that have eyes on em they also grow fine! yours will do well hey have ya ever planted em in a ash pile (coal) or wood, mine goes in the coal ashes each year grow like wild fire always get huge solid taters ummmmn!

4/1/2005 11:52:23 PM

Follansbee, Wv

Thanks guys. I figured they would be OK, just wanted to make sure. I don't have an ash pile Keith, but I did till in the ashes from the BBQ cooker (mostly Hickory and Oak ashes), along with a good layer of compost.
I have heard of dipping seed potatoes in sulfur based products (potassium sulfate). I think it helps fight scab in higher pH (above 6.0) soils. I keep my potatoe patch around 5.0-5.5 which isn't hard to do since the normal pH of the surrounding soil is 4.9.

4/2/2005 9:03:28 AM

New Brunswick

Now I always was told that ashes make scabby potatoes. Some of mine were scabby...and I did not use ashes. Any one know what causes this?

4/5/2005 10:57:37 PM

Mill Creek West by god Virginia

ive never had scabs on mine i always plant in coal ashes check out my 04 diary they grow wild there end up good and solid!

4/6/2005 2:11:08 AM

Follansbee, Wv

Scab on potatoes comes from pathogens in the soil. Most scab can be reduced by keeping your pH below 5.4

4/6/2005 5:01:41 PM

New Brunswick

I noticed that my Fundy potatoes had the scabs and the Yukon golds were fine...maybe the type of potatoes?? Our ground is rich in horse manure also. I was also told that planting an onion in between each potato plant would ward off potato bugs...anyone ever try this?

4/7/2005 3:12:38 PM

Menomonie, WI (mail@gr8pumpkin.net)

Straw Mulch will keep Potato Beetles at Bay.

4/7/2005 3:38:03 PM

Follansbee, Wv

Hmmm, funny coincidence. I have always planted my onions along side my potatoes and never had potato Beetles. Perhaps this is a wives tale that works? I was not aware of this until now.

4/7/2005 8:47:48 PM

Montoursville, PA

I always mulched my spuds. Rarely had any beetles. I nearly always used ground leaves.

4/7/2005 10:52:45 PM

New Brunswick

I did mulch with straw. It worked fine for weeds but not the potato bugs. I picked the little buggars daily. The mulch also prevented sunburn.

4/9/2005 10:35:53 PM

Picton,ON (j.vincent@xplornet.ca)

Scab is caused by a bacteria in the soil. Once it is there its there for good. The only way to manage it is to grow a resistant variety. To varietys that are resisitant are Gold Rush ... a late storage variety and Superior... an early summer potatoe. Be careful to despose of peelings from potatoes infected with scab. The should not be composted and spread back into the garden this will only increase the infection rate!

4/9/2005 10:55:38 PM