So I've been persauded to have a go at the "heaviest crop of potatos
grown from a single tuber in a 12" internal diameter pot" class in the
village show in the first week of September. I come from a vegetable
growing family - my Dad will also be entering - and as I'm using one
of his pre-chitted seed potatoes (he grows lots so won't miss one) it
would be most amusing to beat him......

Here's the plan.

Put about 4 to 5 inches of soil based potting compost (JI no 2
probably) in said pot (more like a bucket actually!). Cut potato
(Wilja apparently) into two bits and put cut sides down, shoots facing
up. Put in compost to just cover. Add scattering of pelleted chicken
manure. Water. Place in frost free conservatory - no greenhouse yet
Earth up as it grows, put outside when risk of frost past, water a
lot, support green stuff with canes and string. Spray with copper
fungicide in late June to avoid blight.

During first w/e in Sept take to show and win prize.....

Your thoughts appreciated and I will keep you up to date on progress
(and maybe the eventual result if it's not TOO embarassing)

Heather

(the blanket weed is coming out a treat BTW - oddly satisfying job
twirling it out........)

What a great idea. I am chairing the inaugural meeting of a massive fund
raising campaign at the end of the month. THAT one is a must.

Mike

"Heather" wrote in message
m...
So I've been persauded to have a go at the "heaviest crop of potatos
grown from a single tuber in a 12" internal diameter pot" class in the
village show in the first week of September. I come from a vegetable
growing family - my Dad will also be entering - and as I'm using one
of his pre-chitted seed potatoes (he grows lots so won't miss one) it
would be most amusing to beat him......

Here's the plan.

Put about 4 to 5 inches of soil based potting compost (JI no 2
probably) in said pot (more like a bucket actually!). Cut potato
(Wilja apparently) into two bits and put cut sides down, shoots facing
up. Put in compost to just cover. Add scattering of pelleted chicken
manure. Water. Place in frost free conservatory - no greenhouse yet
Earth up as it grows, put outside when risk of frost past, water a
lot, support green stuff with canes and string. Spray with copper
fungicide in late June to avoid blight.

During first w/e in Sept take to show and win prize.....

Your thoughts appreciated and I will keep you up to date on progress
(and maybe the eventual result if it's not TOO embarassing)

Heather

(the blanket weed is coming out a treat BTW - oddly satisfying job
twirling it out........)

What a good idea, think I'll have a go myself.
Good luck.
Chris S

"..........What a great idea. I am chairing the inaugural meeting of a
massive fund raising campaign at the end of the month. THAT one is a must.
Mike ........"

Why not also try a sponsored Sunflower comp.
One person raises the plants for the comp then everyone entering pays say
50p or £1.00 per plant as their entry fee.
This entry fee goes to pay for the prizes to the winners.
Or everyone raises their own plants but still pay an entry fee,.
Each person then gets sponsorship for their sunflower at so much per inch,
so 1p per inch would give 60p for a 5ft plant.
You can then have an official measuring day at the end of Sept,or earlier.


--
David Hill
Abacus nurseries
www.abacus-nurseries.co.uk

"David Hill" wrote in message
...
"..........What a great idea. I am chairing the inaugural meeting of a
massive fund raising campaign at the end of the month. THAT one is a must.
Mike ........"

Why not also try a sponsored Sunflower comp.
One person raises the plants for the comp then everyone entering pays say
50p or £1.00 per plant as their entry fee.
This entry fee goes to pay for the prizes to the winners.
Or everyone raises their own plants but still pay an entry fee,.
Each person then gets sponsorship for their sunflower at so much per inch,
so 1p per inch would give 60p for a 5ft plant.
You can then have an official measuring day at the end of Sept,or earlier.


--
David Hill
Abacus nurseries
www.abacus-nurseries.co.uk



I like that one too David and will be taking it to the launch. We are after
£500,000.00 and whilst it may seem a lot of money, every little helps. OK so
60p for the height of just one Sunflower is an insignificant amount, but
that, along with many other ideas already in the pot, ADD to the publicity.
We have already secured £34,000.00. so there is a good chunk to build on,
and that's before the actual launch :-))

Any other ideas welcome. For example some of the experts here could tell me
what a reasonable amount would be for a 'Sponsor a Tree' income. We have
quite a few to replace and there are shrubs as well and a few park benches,
which again could be sponsored. This is a very close community and everyone
knows everyone.

Mike

H.M.S.Newfoundland Association Reunion Hayling Island April 23rd - 26th
Royal Naval Reunion Eastbourne May 7th - 10th
H.M.S.Collingwood Association Reunion Bracklesham Bay May 21st - 24th
Nat.Service (RAF) Assoc. Cosford Parade / Social Weekend 25th - 28th June

"David Hill" wrote in news:c5cfll
:

Why not also try a sponsored Sunflower comp.

"Tallest weed" is one that gives those with no green thumb something they
can enter...

Victoria

--
gardening on a north-facing hill
in South-East Cornwall
--

On 11 Apr 2004 12:52:18 -0700, (Heather)
wrote:

So I've been persauded to have a go at the "heaviest crop of potatos
grown from a single tuber in a 12" internal diameter pot" class in the
village show in the first week of September. I come from a vegetable
growing family - my Dad will also be entering - and as I'm using one
of his pre-chitted seed potatoes (he grows lots so won't miss one) it
would be most amusing to beat him......

Here's the plan.

Put about 4 to 5 inches of soil based potting compost (JI no 2
probably) in said pot (more like a bucket actually!). Cut potato
(Wilja apparently) into two bits and put cut sides down, shoots facing
up. Put in compost to just cover. Add scattering of pelleted chicken
manure. Water. Place in frost free conservatory - no greenhouse yet
Earth up as it grows, put outside when risk of frost past, water a
lot, support green stuff with canes and string. Spray with copper
fungicide in late June to avoid blight.
Hi Heather, Sounds fun. Three things spring to mind about cutting the
spud in two. Firstly, does that work? Secondly, why do it? If the
answer is to get two plants and therefore a heavier crop, are you not
cheating:-)) quote from above "heaviest crop of potatos
grown from a single tuber" emphasis being on the word single.

Devil's Advocate puts his anorak on and leaves,
Jonny

"Jonny" wrote in message
...
On 11 Apr 2004 12:52:18 -0700, (Heather)
wrote:

So I've been persauded to have a go at the "heaviest crop of potatos
grown from a single tuber in a 12" internal diameter pot" class in the
village show in the first week of September. (snip)
. Cut potato into two bits and put cut sides down, shoots facing
up.

Hi Heather, Sounds fun. Three things spring to mind about cutting the
spud in two. Firstly, does that work? Secondly, why do it? If the
answer is to get two plants and therefore a heavier crop, are you not
cheating:-)) quote from above "heaviest crop of potatos
grown from a single tuber" emphasis being on the word single.

Apparently it does work - seems to be what the others who enter this class
do anyway.

The why is in an effort to get a heavier crop.

"single tuber" means one tuber - doesn't say you can't cut it into as many
bits as you like..... (obviously each needs to have sprouts on)

Nope, I think it's fair. We'll see what the judges say in September!

Heather

The message
from Jonny contains these words:

On 11 Apr 2004 12:52:18 -0700, (Heather)
wrote:
Cut potato
(Wilja apparently) into two bits and put cut sides down, shoots facing
up.(snip)

Hi Heather, Sounds fun. Three things spring to mind about cutting the
spud in two. Firstly, does that work?

Yes, everyone used to do that a couple of generations ago, to get the
maxumum crop.
Dipping the cut side in (cool) wood ash prevents any rot.

Secondly, why do it?

Because two separate sets of foliage will develop two separate root systems.

If the
answer is to get two plants and therefore a heavier crop, are you not
cheating:-)) quote from above "heaviest crop of potatos
grown from a single tuber" emphasis being on the word single.

I'd take the rule to mean "starting with one tuber", and divide it.
After all, when doing that fundraiser where kids have to invest £1 to
make as much money as possible, it would be perfectly okay to invest 60
p and 40p in two separate ideas.

With two potato plants in one pot competing for the same compost, I'd
consider liquid feeding with comfrey or nettle tea.

Janet

"Janet Baraclough.." wrote in message
...
The message
from Jonny contains these words:
If the
answer is to get two plants and therefore a heavier crop, are you not
cheating:-)) quote from above "heaviest crop of potatos
grown from a single tuber" emphasis being on the word single.

I'd take the rule to mean "starting with one tuber", and divide it.
After all, when doing that fundraiser where kids have to invest £1 to
make as much money as possible, it would be perfectly okay to invest 60
p and 40p in two separate ideas.

With two potato plants in one pot competing for the same compost, I'd
consider liquid feeding with comfrey or nettle tea.

Thanks Janet - glad you don't think it's cheating. It would be galling to
get to September and get disqualified!
Good tip on the feeding - something to do with all those nettles growing in
from under next door's hedge : )

Heather