Non-flowering potatoes

[fliptheswitch]

I planted some potatoes a few months back, the first lot (King Edwards) in March, and the second lot (cannot remember type) early April. They are both now huge but have no flowers? I have been waiting for them to flower, but saw on a news article last night, potatoes being harvested without flowers. Should I wait, even though they are showing no signs of flowering, or is it ok to have a dig around now? They are in containers, so it is very difficult to have a feel, without disturbing it too much. Thanks in advance.

[fliptheswitch]

Yes. I bought some potato sacks online and have been using these. There is no way I can get into them to check, without pulling out the stalks/leaves. They were cheapy ones, so don't have the opening at the front that some have.

[fliptheswitch]

Also, when you say "large", how large do you mean? Just checked, and they are 43 litres capacity.

[ummmm]

Mine have lovely pinki flowers....

[jackthehat]

Are they in a sunny part of your garden ?

They tend to feel better if they are not in the shade or shadow.

[fliptheswitch]

Really? Mine have absolutely nothing. Not even any buds appearing.
They are at the side of the house, so it does get the sun, but not all day. Do you think it's too late to move them now? Thanks.

[ummmm]

They're in sacks....you can move them where you want...

[fliptheswitch]

Yes, my friend has this too. Although it is more of a Violet colour I would say. Unfortunately I do not have a greenhouse I could put them in. I suspect it would be too late to try and move them now though, anyway.

[chelle7272]

I'd appreciate some advice too - planted in sacks also, about 10 weeks ago. They flowered for a few days but the flowers have all disappeared now. They've been in the sunniest part of the garden. Are they ready yet?

[fliptheswitch]

Sorry, I meant would there be any point in moving them now? Would they still have a chance of flowering, or would you think they have not grown properly? Thanks.

[woofgang]

do they have to flower to make potatoes?

[fliptheswitch]

Woofgang, this is what I am now wondering. My father told me they are ready when they flower, though I saw potatoes being harvested on the TV last night, and they had no flowers at all.
Mine have gown to be huge and I don't think they will grow much more, so I was wondering if they are now ready?

[woofgang]

The instructions on mine didn't say anything about flowers, they said lift the spuds when the leaves turn yellow. My varieties are King Ted, Duke of Yorks (earlies) and International Kidney (same as jersies but a late cropper)

[woofgang]

forgot, mine are in sacks too.

[fliptheswitch]

Hmmm. Mine didn't even have any instructions! I just planted them and kept covering with soil when they poked through, until I reached the top.
I may go and try to pull one out when it stops raining, and see what I've got.

[woofgang]

consensus on websites seem to be that earlies are ready when the plant flowers and maincrops when the foliage starts to yellow. King Edward is a maincrop...can't help with the mystery variety....

[ummmm]

My instructions (Monty Don) said they are ready after they flower. Mine have 'Pinki' flowers at the moment....

[fliptheswitch]

That's great, thanks. I don't think any of the leaves are turning Yellow yet, but I will have a closer look when the rain stops.
Thank-you for your help, and to all that answered.

[fliptheswitch]

So, "after they flower", does that mean whilst the flowers are still there, or do they go again? I have no pink flowers, no bluebell flowers, no violet flowers, nothing. Not even any buds. I will have a look later and post an update.
Once again, thanks to all.