Potatoes in Bins

[SouthernDave]

Hi! We have been growing for the first time potatoes, one lot in a potato pot thing with a hatch at the bottom and the other in an old dustbin. The foliage is quite spectacular on both so we assumed they are going great guns. Lately however, the foliage has started to lay over under its own weight and look a bit peeky. My wife had a peek in the opening bin and removed two the size of good hens eggs and said there were more but they were smaller so assume they are still growing. The bins have drain holes and we have been watering generously as advised in books. What would cause this wilt? Do they need cutting back/harvesting/supporting? Any advise please!

[MKG]

You answered at least one of your own questions, Dave - they droop under their own weight. Growing them that way makes them shoot for the sky, and there has to be a limit to that somewhere. They do begin to look a bit sad at this time of year - give 'em a feed and they'll perk up. And that watering - they need gallons. When you absolutely KNOW that the compost has been soaked all the way down to the bottom, give 'em some more - so many people are surprised when they dig their potatoes out of bone-dry compost.

You can tie them up to support them if you like - but don't cut them back. To get a decent crop from a container, they need all the leaf they have (although I'll bet someone on here disagrees with that )

Mike

[SouthernDave]

Cheers! Will tomato feed be okay?