Growing potatoes in straw?

[digitS']

True DigitS. I thought a foot of two of exposed foliage would suffice. Do you think I need more foliage exposed?

I really don't know, Wishin'. Older leaves lose their function. However, left alone, a plant is quickly taller than 12". If all of the photosynthesis is only sufficient to grow new leaves, that will be all that will be accomplished.

Potatoes are green plants.

There seems to be plenty of people who try these towers and boxes who do not continue the practice.

Steve

 

[Jared77]

I'd think some of the late producing varieties would do the trick.

Check out this site here. I planned on doing this for my own personal use to see what I could produce. http://henleypotatotower.co.uk

 

[Lavender2]

There are pros and cons to every growing method.

Like many have commented here, my biggest problem with growing potatoes is voles. I have heard success stories with using a vole barrier... mesh or screening 6" below to 12" above ground. I think this would be more effective in a small area, like around a tower/cage.

Another 'pro' for me: With my rather short growing season, and very wet Spring garden, it would be a raised area where I could get them going earlier in a wet year. And it wouldn't take up precious space in my garden, as I could plunk it anywhere in the yard.

I'm not convinced enough that I would expect a monster yield, but a better growing method for me to try to grow some potatoes.

The fun of gardening is sometimes not following the rules, finding out what CAN be done, when you already know what should be done. I say, learn everything you can about the potato, and go for it!

A few more tips I ran across:
Oregon State edu.

Denver Post

 

[Wishin']

Thank you Jared and Lavender, both types of potatoes I used were short season potatoes that explains one of my problems. I think I will make myself the irish eye box.

 

[journey11]

Another 'pro' for me: With my rather short growing season, and very wet Spring garden, it would be a raised area where I could get them going earlier in a wet year. And it wouldn't take up precious space in my garden, as I could plunk it anywhere in the yard.

I'm in the same boat, with red clay mud that can be downright unworkable in a rainy spring. So far, raised beds have worked well for me, but I hate to use up all of that space too...so maybe I'll try the boxes or the bags this year or maybe the above ground/straw thing again and just put my cats out there to camp.

 

[MontyJ]

There seems to be plenty of people who try these towers and boxes who do not continue the practice.
Steve

Exactly. I would love to see photographic evidence of success. I have tried the tire method several times with total failure of the plant to produce tubers above the original root line.

 

[Wishin']

I would love to see photographic evidence of success

Well then, I guess i'll just have to do an experiment. Using the information from the articles provided by Lavender and Jared I'll do one dirt filled potato tower with potatoes planted all the way up, one dirt filled tower with one potato at the bottom and one straw potato tower. All using the same kind of late maturing potato. I'll take pictures and we'll all see if it's possible.

 

[MontyJ]

I would be very excited to see your results! After all, gardening is always an experiment for the adventurous. Please be sure to note the varieties you use.

 

[Wishin']

When I have every thing all set I will post in more detail, and list all variables.

 

[Jared77]

http://henleypotatotower.co.uk/science/ I found this interesting didn't know if anybody else saw this.

The idea is to increase foliage for photosynthesis to make energy to grow potatoes instead of these REALLY long stalks. The plant is putting so much energy into getting it's leaves up & out of the soil there is not enough nutrients to produce potatoes. Look at the long stalks they normally produce.

I think it's a good theory with the openings to increase foliage. Because if you plant potatoes & don't hill theme they grow up & you end up with inedible potatoes due to solanine. So that means your getting potatoes above the initial planted line otherwise they would grow down like a tap root that produced potatoes along it.

I'm going to test it myself with a Henley style potato box of my own construction one of these years to really test the theory.