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17 Apr 09, Kay (Australia - temperate climate)

Hi all. I have two 60 cm diameter and height wire cages of potatoes that I planted late February. Lined these cages with old newspaper to hold the exta soil/sugar straw in as I'm gradually filling up the cages. Never grown potatoes before, may be too late, but they're growing like crazy and I'm just keep burying them in cow poo, soil and sugar straw, leaving about 10cm of shoots. Had to extend the cages in height as they're growing so quickly. So far going well. Used kipflers that sprouted - not certified. I guess it is too late here to grow any more right now, have some more unusual potatoes (dutch blue?) sprouting in my pantry?

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14 Apr 09, Julian (Australia - cool/mountain climate)

Hi there, everyone. I'm in Ballarat, a famous spud-growing region, and grew up on a spud farm. Here spuds are planted in Oct/Nov and watered at least twice weekly until the plant dies. They are harvested beginning in March, and depending on the weather, harvest can go through until August. As long as the tubers are fully covered by soil (NOT Hay or other mulch), they will keep in the ground for at least 3 months. The hotter it is, the more you will need to water. Once harvested, you can keep them for another month or so in a cool spot, as long as you keep them covered (they'll go green if exposed to sunlight.

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14 Apr 09, Brad (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

Hi Addy, This is the first time I've attempted to grow anything! So a total novice. I bought some kipflers from the markets and put them in the pantry to sprout. I'll be planting them shortly after cutting the tubers in half with an eye to each. The cost is minimal and I may as well have a go.

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12 Apr 09, Addy (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

Brad, I'm also keen to start planting potatoes soon. I planted 2 beds last year and got a disappointing harvest, tried stacking with mulch, got lots of lovely leaves, but not many potatoes! The plantings in traditional soil actually did a bit better. Did you get seed potatoes or eating ones from the shop? (Also a Brisbanite)

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12 Apr 09, Danny (Australia - cool/mountain climate)

Hello from Tamworth, does anyone know can I plant & grow potatos this time of year, get frosts.

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09 Apr 09, Brad (Australia - sub-tropical climate)

Hi from Brissie, I know I'm totally out of sync but am planting some kipflers now in early April as I can't wait until the nominated season. I've kept them in a bag in the pantry and they now have lots of eyes. Can you cut the tubers in half before planting to increase the crop? I've made timber planting boxes which can stack as the plants grow and am using a soil and compost mix. Will anything help considering planting at this time of year?

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20 Mar 09, Deano (Australia - temperate climate)

Hi, I've got a few potato plants in my vegie patch that have come up beautifully. It's flowered, but I didn't want to pull them out to early as the last time I did this it was a very small crop. This time, I've let the plants go, but I've noticed that the plant is developing a little green fruit looking thing! Does anyone have any idea what these are? Should I be pulling my plants out now?

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15 Mar 09, JonoB (Australia - temperate climate)

Katie, RE: potatoes in cage tower - same thing happened to me, potatoes only grew at the bottom where there was potting mix and not in the hay above. I think the cages were too exposed and hence the hay dried out quite quickly. A couple of things I might try next time is to line the wire mesh cage with some plastic, to keep the moisture in, and also to use a mix of hay and soil so it is a bit more dense.

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12 Feb 09, jimbob (Australia - temperate climate)

re late potato plantings, I planted 3 batches, the 1st in mid nov, the 2nd in early dec and the last in mid dec. I am harvesting the 1st batch now - very productive. The 2nd lot have probably only grown to 3/4 size and the last lot have only grown to barely 1/2 size. I expect they'll produce something but maybe not enough to make it worthwhile. Mid-late november will be as late as I'll plant in future. I'm east of melbourne.

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03 Feb 09, Katie (Australia - cool/mountain climate)

Hi there. I did exactly that - cage tower - cool climate, planted around sep/oct. I followed a LOT of instructions of using just hay to build up - and about 3 months into (they grew like mad!) they all just died. We don't know what happened - but someone has said that hay doesnt work. Eventually we decided to pull it apart to find there were NO potatoes at all - except at the very bottom where there had been soil etc. This forum doesnt like links - but if you go to my blog catchthatmountainview dot com and click on the label vege patch you will see our results. We have started again - not sure if it's too late. We'll see :)

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