Potato flower removal

Icemaiden 7/31/2010, 2:15 pm

Hi
I seem to recall a discussion a while back about removing (or not) potato flowers.

I heard on the radio (UK) today that the Victorians studied this and found that removing the flowers boosted the crop per acre from 14 to 15 tons.

Just out of curiosity I worked that out for my measerly 4 square feet (more next year) and that would mean 1.3 kg instead of 1.2 kg. Yippee, and extra 100g (4 oz?) of potatoes potato - Potato flower removal Icon_lol

Mind you, I think, hope, that I will get a better yield than that anyway... They did say that this was for old types of potatoe which flowered and fruited more readily than the modern ones. At best it would be an extra 7%.

(On the otherhand, they did recommend de-flowering if children are around, and said to use cutters as the sap can irritate skin).

Chopper 7/31/2010, 4:24 pm

I think you are right that in the small home garden, it matters not a wit. That is essentially what I read. Opinions on this differ, but I would not sweat it.

Lavender Debs 7/31/2010, 5:06 pm

THANKS FOR BRINGING THIS UP!! I remember Justin and someone talking about it and couldn't remember what was said.

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Potato flower removal

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