container potato

10 years ago

hi ive been growing potatoes in containers for the past few years with limited success.. im thinkiny lack of light is the main culprit but nevertherless i want to keep trying since it basically costs me almost nothing. this year i planted a few sprouting potatoes and after the strongest one was established, i put it in a rather large pot thinking that the more earth i use, the more potatoes i can expect (that didnt hold true in the past) ..

but anyway, the real question here i have is that since my city balcony receives very little direct light in the summer months when the sun is high above and the trees around it are full of leaves, i end up with rather leggy plants potatoes included. now, i see a bunch of side 'stems' on the main stem of my potato plant and im tempted to snap the top off the main stem to encourage their growth and a bushier, more leafy plant again in hope of more photosynthesis and better tuber crop.. but im afraid this will hurt the plant or even keep it from growing ever again ..

what do u guys think? here a pic of my plant as of this may 24th

Featured Answer

Need2SeeGreen 10 (SoCal)

10 years ago

I don't know from potato growing, but it's cute as heck!!!

What kind of soil is that? Folks here usually recommend bark based.

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Comments (10)

rina_Ontario,Canada 5a
10 years ago
I am not sure if that's the best container for potato growing? I see wide ones (wide bottom - like the top) being used, even bags. And the potatoes need to be 'hilled' IIRC?
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zzackey
10 years ago
Your soil looks very dense. I would plant them in a looser mix next time.
Paul Roy
Original Author
10 years ago
Zzackey the soil isnt that dense its just that i think i had just watered it maybe?
Ernie
10 years ago
If your balcony receives at least four or five hours of full sun, then, with the proper techniques, you should be able to successfully grow a modest crop of potatoes. If not, then you're almost certainly going to continue being disappointed.
Ernie
10 years ago
As for your question about pruning, that's certainly not common practice, nor have I ever seen it recommended or discussed. Even if it did promote branching and an increase in foliage, I'd be surprised if it made much of a difference in terms of yield. What will almost certainly make a difference are good sun, fertilization, and proper hilling (which is necessary even in a container).
ak_ok
10 years ago
I don't think it will be beneficial to your plant, but I highly doubt it will kill it.
Ohiofem 6a/5b Southwest Ohio
10 years ago
I've grown potatoes in containers for several years. They're not very productive, but they are lots of fun. They are in the same family as tomatoes and need similar conditions. They do need at least a few hours of direct sunlight, and in a container, they need fertilizer and loose soil. The usual practice is to "hill" them. In a deep container I plant them with about 4 inches of mix under them and 4 inches above them. After they grow 4-6 inches tall, I add another 4 inches of mix covering all but the very top leaves. Ideally you would do this one more time. Your container looks too small to me. My potatoes get four feet tall and very bushy. Definitely do not prune them. They get their energy from the sun on their leaves.
Jimmy Salen (SoMD Zone 7b)
10 years ago
It might just be me but it looks like the picture you posted got resized wrong so everything looks more squat. Is that true or is the pot supposed to look wide?
Ohiofem 6a/5b Southwest Ohio
10 years ago
I think it is just Houzz. If you select the photo and choose view image on a desktop computer you will see what the photo should look like.