When to transplant

[grungy]

Tom,
Now that the potato seed babies are up, can you give us some idea when we should transplant. Should we pot them up like tomatoes, keep giving them bigger pots until they can be transplanted out?

When tranplanting do you plant them like tomatoes, up to their necks in soil to promote bigger root balls ect.

This is the first time, I have tried potatoes so a short lecture here would be appreciated.

Cheers,
Val/grungy

[tatermater]

Since nothing works to post pictures, i will have to state what would have been more obvious by photos.

I usually transplant within the greenhouse the potato seedlings after about 4 weeks, give or take, taking care to bury the cotyledon and a least one true leaf.

After a few weeks, mostly about 2 weeks, the seedlings are tall enough and if hardened off a bit outdoors for a few days, can be safely transplanted to the field after all danger of frost is gone. The seedlings hopefully are several inches high again and bury another true leaf or more (up to their necks). I like to plant them in a slight depression within a raised row. Again if I could post pictures one could picture my suggestions.

Once the plants start to grow a bit out in the field, a bit more soil can be brought up or at least to fill in the depression or furrow. A few weeks later again; more hilling.

Tom Wagner

[canadamike]

No need for pictures Tom, although we would all love it, your explanations are crystal clear...


Michel

[tatermater]

Just for the record, I've transplanted about 600 potato seedlings to the field. About that many more tomorrow if the weather holds out without rain. I am hoping no more freezes based on a 15 day forecast.

I had to transplant a bit earlier than I would like but I will be gone later in the week for a wedding.

I would post pictures but that is not working for me.

Tom Wagner

[canadamike]

Tom, I am a computausorus and I can post pictures now. Get the SKYPE computer phone program, it is free AND we can talk for free, I'll be able to accompany you through the process while you do it.

My SKYPE number is '' michellachaume''. Type it and if I am on the computer I will take it, or I can transfer it to my phone for free. No more long distance anywhere in the world for me, and no phone fees!
You can talk to me from your computer if you have a microphone (10$)
or I can call you on your regular line.

Michel

[tatermater]

Michel,

I have a Skype name TaterMaterSeeds.

You just called me and I don't have a mike hooked up.


Thanks for alerting me to the Skype thing.

I will try to find those potato notes for your seedlings.

Tom

[canadamike]

Funny Tom, I tought you called me You probably added me to your contacts and I was noticed I guess!!

I'll try again

[tatermater]

I replied on another post about this list but I suppose a cross posting is OK.

The list of TPS to Miichel....

1 King Harry OP
2 Skagit Beet OP
3 Golden Sunburst Kern Toro
4 Awol Dude OP
5 Tom Kaighin OP
6 Lump O'Gold Mn18747
7 October Blood OP
8 Finn's Finger OP
8 Red Donna Northern Can Do
10 PI 473166 PI 473171
11 Boys' Eight Nordic Toro
12 Plano Lenape MSJ 461-1
13 Squat Blue OP
14 Boyd Toro Awol Dude
15 Golden Sunburst Awol Dude
16 Awol Dude Colorado Rose
17 Pig's Thumb PI 293136 phu.
18 Skagit Valley Gold Viva el Sol
19 Diploid Squat F-2 P9
20 Awol Dude Cyklops
21 9 Dings Skagit Valley Gold