On Wed, 18 Jun 2008 19:17:48 +0100, Ashley Argile
wrote:


Hi,

Earlier this year I chitted and set a mixture of First Early, Second
Early and Main Crop potatoes. I made a pencil sketch of the bed in
which I planted them, marking on it what each row was. Unfortunately,
my partner went on a spring cleaning mission and threw away everything
that wasn't bolted down including my sketch. Is there anyway of
distinguishing the different types of plants? I planted Desiree, Wilja,
King Edwards, Duke of York & Estima. One of the rows is much bigger than
the rest and another has started to flower. Does that give any clues?
Can I assume that the flowing row is a first early? Some of the really
big plants are inclined to collapse, is this normal?

Thanks

Ashley

Well, Desiree have a light red skin. King Edwards have pink patches
on an ordinary coloured skin.
I've grown Red Duke of York but not the basic one, so can't comment on
that one.
I always take off the flowers as "they" say that once you let them set
fruit, which are the poisonous, tomato-like fruits which form, then
they will stop producing tubers underground.
I would guess that the first to flower are the earliest, but I'm no
potato expert.

Pam in Bristol