Hi bumble_doodle,
Maybe I am missing something here (very possible/not too bright ;-)

But you reaped what you sowed ! !

Your first planting was single layered (bottom) and you produced 5 lbs.

Your second planting was double layered and it produced 8 lbs

Unless I am just not getting it, you received 1 lb of Potatoes from every seed you planted ,in both cases...

and secondarily: potatoes grow down from the seed, so the first planting would be at the bottom (naturally) and the second planting would have potatoes higher in the planter, because you planted them higher.

Regardless... good job and enjoy those wonderful looking spuds ;-)

You're absolutely right, jonhughes! I probably should have clarified - I received 8lbs of potatoes (8 seed double layer) in the same amount of space it took to grow 5lbs utilizing a single layer planting method. So more 'taters in less space. So, why would I continue to plant just 5 seed if I could plant 8-10 in the same space and double the yield?

A few years back many people had disappointing results with their potato bins but that was using a single layer method. Granted, eventually the plants would fill the space so adding more layers wouldn't be feasible but perhaps 3 layers might work using the wooden bin method?

Anyway, it was more of an experiment of growing vertically, kind of like trellising cukes, etc...

Jon, IME, the new tubers rarely if ever grow lower than the seed piece, only level with and higher, though usually not much higher. Have you for sure seen them significantly lower than the seed?

I have had just the opposite experience, but I do have really loose soil, so maybe mine are loungers ;-)

{{gwi:114892}}

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But I still Love You ;-)

{{gwi:25365}}

and BTW, I don't think you are wrong ;-)

I really do think they grow away from the seed and if a grower had firm soil, they would naturally choose the path of least resistance, soooooo, that being said, if a grower was to grow them hydroponically or as Disneyworld does (hanging from a pot), it would look like they are growing down away from the seed ...because of gravity,........ but I agree with you that we all "hill them", because they are bustin' a move.

Indeed, there would be little point to hilling if the tubers generally set lower than the seed.

I've always been under the impression that the roots grew down from the seed and the tubers grew off of the stem (which is why we hill). The root system supports the plant and the seed eventually rots away.
{{gwi:114893}}

You are both exactly correct (and that last picture is very precise ;-)
I Love it....and you ;-)

In my experience, potatoes grow equal to and generally above the seed piece. Those of us who grow them in rows know they have to be periodically "hilled" to keep sun off the developing kritters.

Ev

Potatoes separate into 4 types of tissue. The leaves which are above ground are solar collectors producing photosynthate that eventually winds up in the spuds as starch. The stem is the vertical part of the plant that supports the leaves and acts as a conduit for water and nutrients going up and photosynthate going down. The roots collect water and nutrients and bring them into the plant to support growth. The Stolons are stem-like extensions that grow out and slightly down sometimes branching numerous times. At the end of each stolon and stolon branch will be a developing potato. The stolons acts as sinks into which nutrients from the roots and photosynthate from the leaves flow. This is key to understanding potatoes, the leaves are sinks for nutrients from the roots, the roots are sinks for photosynthate from the leaves, and the stolons are sinks to both the roots and the leaves.

Stolons arise only from stem area that is not exposed to light, but with a caveat that some wild species have a trait that produces stolons from any covered part of the stem even if it has greened up. A very few cultivated varieties also have this trait. These varieties are viable for progressively filled containers.

The varieties often mentioned for such container growing produce stolons only in the 6 inches of stem nearest the seed piece. That means growing them in containers and progressively filling the container to the top does not gain any benefit. However, you can increase the number of seed pieces in a given area and from progressive filling of the container you will harvest more spuds.

The key to large spuds is even watering. If you want them big, set up an automated watering system.

DarJones

Thank you DarJones - great explanation!