FORCING POTATOES IN POTS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLI, Issue 5, 29 July 1908, Page 40

FORCING POTATOES IN POTS.

HOW TO OBTAIN EARLY HOMEGROWN TUBERS. Forcing potatoes in pots is one of the simplest methods of obtaining a few early home-grown tubers, three good varieties that lend themselves to forcing being Sharpe’s Victor, Sutton’s May Queen, and Myatt’s Ashleaf. Seed potatoes for growing in pots must be carefully selected, whole, medium-sized tubers being the best; and these must be placed on end, broad end upwards, in a shallow box, having the bottom covered with leaf-soil, and be stood in gentle warmth on a greenhouse shelf exposed to the light as much as possible, to induce them to sprout before they are planted. Potatoes with only one or two sprouts or shoots are the best for the purpose in question, and all sprouts, with the exception of one or two of the strongest, should be rubbed out, and as soon as the retained shoots are about three-quarters of an inch in length, the tubers may be planted. Ten and twelve-inch pots are suitable, the former being large enough to take two tubers amd the latter three. The

pots must be well drained with broken crocks and rough compost siftings, and the soil, which should be of a loamy nature, have some old hotbed manure and road scrapings mixed with it. The soil should be placed in the greenhouse for a few days before required for planting, in order that its temperature may be*’ the same as that in which the tubers have been sprouted. The seed must be planted so that the shoots are about •three-quarters of an inch below the surface of the soil, and those in the large pots are best planted low down, so that the surface of the soil is some three inches below the pot rim, this providing space for top-dressing or earthing-up when the plants require it. A temperature of 55 degrees will be suitable, and quickly cause growth to make its appearance above the surface, after which the plants should be liberally supplied with tepid water, to keep them growing nicely. As soon as they are of sufficient size a top-dressing or earthingup of rich soil should be given. The large pots should be filled to within an inch of the rims, whilst the smaller pots will require a zinc collar fitting to each rim, as shown in the sketch, to provide space for the top-dressing. After the plants have been earthed-up, weak liquid manure may be given twice 'a week until the haulms commence to turn yellow, when stimulants must cease, and also water be gradually withheld, and in a short time the tubers will Ite ready for use. ORTUS.