Full-Size Russet Potatoes Grown in 5-gallon Bucket, Found a Problem

Here’s the second half of my growing Russet potatoes in a 5-gallon bucket experiment. This harvest was letting the potatoes grow until vine die-off and hopefully yielding some full-size potatoes.

What was the result?

I ended up with a lower pounds per bucket yield and just slightly bigger potatoes than the “New Potatoes” I harvested earlier.

What happened?

Both buckets were planted at the same time, with the same drain holes, with the same dirt, with the same seed potatoes, the same fertilizer, the same fertilizing schedule and the same watering schedule.

Planting Information:

• Planted Date: 1-29-19
• Harvest Date: 5-20-19 (120 days = 4 months)
• Yield Weight of this bucket = 2.66 lbs.

What went wrong?

Here’s my observation:

• I planted the potatoes in January and here in northeast Florida it’s cool and good for potato growing.
• The following 4 months after planting, it became hotter and hotter with scorching sunlight and near 90 degrees every day.
• My watering schedule of ¼ inch per day (about a quart per bucket), remained the same for the duration of the growing cycle.

  

This is what the plant looked like when I harvested the full-size potatoes.

Bucket removed:

What I found was the issue for the poor yield. When looking at the dirt and between the two arrows (bottom 2/3rds) you will see a lighter colored soil. That soil is as dry as desert sand!

Potatoes out of the dirt:

Yield: 2.65lbs.

Size compared to my hand:

Summary:

The potatoes were dying of thirst. I must monitor the moisture in the bottom 1/3^rd of the bucket. Right now I will drill two ¾ inch holes in the side of the bucket. One, 2 inches from the bottom and the second 6 inches from the bottom. In those holes, I can stick my finger in it to feel how moist the soil is at those levels. I will look for an electronic meter (somebody must make one) to check the moisture instead of my finger for more accurate readings. Based on the moisture readings I will adjust the amount of water the plants need throughout the growing cycle. I will buy an irrigation timer and water every day and increase the amount of water as the heat dictates.

I don’t think I’d face the same water issues if I planted in the ground but buckets/container growing is the way I want to grow my potatoes as harvesting is easy and with no damaged potatoes compared to digging them up.