Lost track of my spuds

frivolous_fay

Hi all,

I have three bags of spuds on the patio:

Maris peer
King Edwards
Random M&S waxy potato (might be called golden something?)

Although I planted them at different times, and they initially grew at very different rates, I now can't remember which bags the frist two are planted in. (The M&S ones have gone a bit yellow and straggly lately so identifying those is not a problem.)
The mystery bags are both thriving - almost as tall as me, healthy looking, and both have flowered (I know which one flowered first if that's any help)

Any foolproof indicators?
Or suggestions of when to dig? Because I'm itching to

kazwookie

Get your hand in there and have a feel!!!!!

Optimisticpair

I think you could tell by the skin colour. You could Google images of the two varieties for comparison or find the Potato Council website which has descriptions as well.

robat

Hi, probably the one that flowered first is Maris Peer, because it's an early maturing variety. Once it's flowered it may well have tubers big enough to use, though I'd leave them longer. You could have a gentle delve down and see how big they are. King Edward is a maincrop and won't be anywhere near ready till end of August/September. The tubers are splashed with red on white. I can't remember what colour the flowers are - I'll check when I go to the allotment, I've got 140 plants of KE there. Regards.

Filey

I planted six potatoes given me by a friend, three of which are earlies and three something else. I can't remember which are which so as a general rule will the ones which flower first be the earlies? Think I'd better follow your advice and have a feel.

I've never grown potatoes before, having the opinion that what time and facilities i have would be better devoted to growing things that are either expensive to buy or take up less space. However I was 'encouraged' to try these potatoes. I was told that having once tasted the deliciousness of newly dug new potatoes I would be convinced to do it more often.

rhiwfield

I've been cropping Maris Peer for 3 weeks but would no doubt get bigger yields if I left them in longer, trouble is the taste of baby new potatoes is irresistible! Flower colour is blue and quite showy if that helps to differentiate.

EDIT: Sorry, Maris Peer flowers are lilac, not blue!!

robat

Hi, I looked at my KEs but although they're flowering the flowers aren't open yet. I'll let you know, when they are, if you like. I used to work at the Plant Breeding Institute which developed all the Maris varieties.
Best regards

Emma_whitnash

I think I may have dug a couple of mine up too early :-(. Got 3 up and very few spuds so far. Will leave them in for another month I think, so far have white flowers and bluey/lilac colours.

I can't remember charlottes flowering previously, may harvest those this week. Onions will not be ready for a while yet.

SallyForth_2

Hi, I have Charlottes, and guess what the flowers are lilac!

Any

Hi,
I am newbie on this specific board so Hello to everyone!

I have potatoes in a barrel and this is my first year of growing potatoes. I bought some early variety, which is supposed to be ready late June, mid July. But I also read somewhere that you should dig AFTER they flowered... Mine are just about to start flowering this week I think.

When do you think I should dig in? I don't really want to go in as I only had 4 seedlings as the barrel is not very big so I don't want to waste any potatoes by going in too early.

Is there such a thing as digging them up too late?

Also is there any variety I can manage to put in after these are out for later on in the year?

Thank you