Too much water can cause rotting while too little water can affect development. It's important not to underwater or overwater young potato plants. If they receive the wrong amount of water in the early stages, the potatoes might become misshapen or not develop well.
What happens if you overwater potatoes?
Risks of over-watering potatoes This slows plant growth, increases the likelihood of rot, and can be highly detrimental to yield and quality. Early in the season, over-watering can result in misshapen tubers. Later in the season, it increases the likelihood of powdery scab and lenticel growth.
When should I stop watering potatoes?
Stop watering your potato plants about 2-3 weeks before harvest, or when you first see the foliage on the plants starting to turn yellow. Make sure to harvest your potatoes on a dry day when the soil is dry—harvesting potatoes when wet or damp can cause the potatoes to rot more easily in storage.
Do potato plants need lots of water?
The plants need 1 to 2 inches of water per week. If you water too much right after planting and not enough as the potatoes begin to form, the tubers can become misshapen.
How often should I water potato plants in pots?
Water regularly during the growing season – potatoes like plenty of water. Avoid using rainwater from a butt in the summer as this can contain blight spores. Soak the pot thoroughly every two or three days, allowing the compost to almost dry out between watering to promote steady potato formation.
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