A Disappointing Potato Harvest

[@roadkillraker]

Everything is good data, even when you don't get desirable results. ❤

[@aeynosarturii8053]

It is a labor of love, for better or for worse, right? You may not realize it, but you have grow something else over the last 5 months. I, a dirt gardener, filled my first reservoir earlier today, added nutrients, and adjusted the pH. In the morning I will be adding bunching onions, basil, coriander and lettuce from a germination tray into 15 netcups as my first foray into hydroponics. This was all done with 100% of the Hoocho enthusiasm, and I can say that I would not have made this leap without your channel. A sincere thank you for germinating the seed and helping my garden and interest to grow.

[@Rizaus]

Showing your failures lets others know that something either doesn't work or needs a different approach. So, it saves time or can trigger ideas for other applications. Love the video.

[@willulearn]

I've been growing potatoes in free 5-gallon buckets for a few years with increasing success. I took the plunge and printed your grow spike out and did a 7 slot gutter system with a hole drilled out to insert the spike. I just used the normal soil I have and added Bonemeal for extra potassium. I did wash them and then let them spout their eyes before I put them in. Hopefully I can update this with a success story in 3-4 months.

[@AubreyH901]

Hi do you have an update for those potatoes?

[@antypanag1]

update please ?

[@tonyparkHHFA]

But that's why we love ya man, your transparency! All you did is help prevent someone in the northern hemisphere from attempting this for the coming spring.

[@stephenmarch3736]

Like me, in Canada... I was literally about to plant some in some coco.... now I think I may let them continue to hang out in the root cellar and plant more tomatoes instead! Thanks for the video, super helpful to show failures as well.

[@Secret_Moon]

That's actually pretty good result, showing clear differences among varieties. One possible reason is that potatoes on the market are frequently treated to prevent sprouting. Different varieties may be treated differently depending on their characteristics and suppliers. So buying from the supermarket may not be good. I'd recommend if you retry, do a control growing on soil at the same location for comparison. We'll be able to see whether it's the hydroponics that's the problem, or other factors come in such as pests.

[@d3w4yn3]

This is quite vindicating for me. Last summer I did some 5 gallon bucket farming, and got very similar results. I was concerned that I didn't water enough, but ckearly, you watered enough! In my situation, deer kept eating the leaves off the top, but I think the main reason for my poor crop was my selection of potatoes to begin with. Great video, great integrity on your part! Still very encouraging for us to see that sometimes there are influences that even a pro cannot always foresee.

[@fecklessbohemian]

Hi Hoocho, It might not have anything to do with rinsing. Chat Potatoes aren't a variety of Potato, Chat just means Baby Potato. Baby potatoes don't sprout particularly well, if at all and will just rot. Mature potatoes will sprout and do better, which may be the problem. Personally I reckon seed potatoes are worth it, much less chance of nasties.

[@mikenewman4078]

Seeing the Taro thriving in Hydro isn't a surprise. By way of context, the local Aboriginal Elder Jackie Stewart used to grow Taro in Severin and Thomas Creeks on our property when I was growing up in the 60s. He planted them at about 50 metre intervals along the creek banks in the edge of the stream. They would grow into clumps about 2 metres square. The amount of Jungle Perch that we caught from those narrow fast creeks was amazing, any time we put a dam in the Perch would be there.

[@Scrambles7]

BIG DOG!!! He's not afraid to show us his weakness! Jokes, it's the potatoes that are weak. They don't know who they are messing with! Better give some of the rotten ones a ' left, right, goodnight'

[@veggiemush]

More potatoes than I’ve ever grown. Thanks for the vids Hoocho, I really appreciate your channel!

[@AtollSurfer]

Hoocho, Thank you for all you share. Please do on Sweet Potatoes a game changer for your hotter pacific atolls, Australia’s back yard of neighbors.

[@kevinmiller5467]

"Potatoes are moderate to heavy feeding crops that need ample fertility to yield. Without enough nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and micronutrients, potatoes may look yellow, pale, small, or not grow at all. However, over-fertilized potatoes may produce way too much green foliage and very few actual potatoes." ~Epic Gardening Maybe a constant access to 2.4 nutrient solution over fertilized them and caused the potatoes to not feel a need to store energy for next year. Maybe a lower EC would yield more?

[@Fabian3331234333]

Thats what I was also thinking about. The potato's don't really have a reason to root and to create new potato's when having so many nutrients available

[@doglover1neo]

Also certain types of varieties of potatoes perform best when they're partially buried. Called hilling, the plant produces more potatoes because the buried stock produces new root growth under the applied soil.

[@almostoily7541]

I was also thinking about over fertilizing. I think a dash of phosphorus to promote root growth may be alright.

[@katiewood6036]

I now only grow sweet potatoes. Supermarket potatoes just need to be sprouted before planting to keep them from rotting. I put them in a box on my window sill.

[@mickmick-iq4ru]

Tip when growing spuds ether in soil, coco or other medium is to put the spud at the bottom of you container and gradually add soil etc as the tops grow . Eventually filling the bag container etc / They produce a far more productive crop

[@cutsomewoodbashsomemetalmakeso]

was thinking the same thing.. maybe also a taller bag and top up with medium as the plant grows...

[@kangaroo2543]

Continuous hilling as you describe 9nky works for Indeterminate (Late) varieties as they act like a vine. Determinate (Early) varieties only need the hill to prevent light penetration which turns the spuds green and poisonous.

[@mickmick-iq4ru]

Correct but green potato's aren't poisonous. just the skin can make you ill if you consume too much ....If you peel green spuds they are fine to eat and hilling helps prevent the greening as you said :) @@kangaroo2543 Also with the spuds rotting cut them in half and let the cut surface dry for a week. This helps them get ready for planting. BUT the chat potato are just baby spuds and not really intended for planting and will rot

[@accidentalhomestead5522]

Thankyou for the time investment. I think growing potatoes is one of a handful of crops that can feed the world.

[@wayne8113]

Thanks Hoocho

[@multiversity6290]

Thank you for the inspiration. Your video experiments with hydroponics have inspired me to try a few of my own.

[@beaureid5827]

Thank you Hoocho ❤ Always excited to see your videos and never disappointed

[@CitizenCS]

Thanks for sharing this. I enjoy your content!

[@suz4keeps]

Thanks, love watching you. Love the time-lapse

[@suzannepoffel2160]

Beer Ginger Beer❤😮... good luck on your next harvest of Potato🎉

[@fredericksmith7418]

Hoocho I tried this method of growing I was excited to try it and grow cucumbers and tomatoes but it was a failure . I dismantled it and adapted the square pipe to an NFT and it is going great thinking of adding another NFT to grow tomatoes here in Perth.

[@_SurferGeek_]

Wins and losses... thanks for sharing both. 👍

[@LFHiden]

When will the sweet potato video come out?

[@ericaarcas8161]

I'm thinking of doing thus method this year, however, as with my bucket potatoes I will add medium as they grow. Potatoes actually grow as the plant goes up along the roots, so maybe having been shallow bags might have impacted the amount. I'm not necessarily looking for giant potatoes but I am looking for a good amount for the winter.

[@adelinawarriner6259]

that depends on potato variety.. determinant vs indeterminate

[@DanielSMatthews]

Thanks for being honest, the fails are edifying too! What are the chances that the nitrogen levels were a bit high for the second half of the growth period? And or perhaps the heat effects them, that they like it cooler and you need white foam board on the top of the bags?

[@CatHamster-wf5xs]

Nice 1 Mr Hoocho. Maybe the root depth was nt deep enough to cover enough nodules? or maybe use the method of letting the plant grow then covering it with medium then repeat?

[@michellecolledge2355]

My potatoes where much the same. I put it down to the heat. In winter, my harvests were significantly better.

[@LMGH]

Hey Hooch. Potatoes like 5.5 PH. I have had multiple successes with wicking hydro potatoes. Oh &2.5 EC.

[@slanew]

Sorry to see your low potato yield, but I'm glad that you still posted the vid to share the results. It certainly helped build trust with me and many viewers I'm sure! I'm just watching this youtube vid about potato growing and noticed some weird things: - They used palm tree or banana tree trunks to sprout the potatoes first (wow!) - They cut the potatoes and then sealed them with cement to prevent rot. I don't like the idea of using cement when there might be better alternatives (wax? recycled plastic? paint? I dunno) - They used soap foam to prevent bug bites? (WTF!) - They used burned straw and rice husk as a potassium fertiliser (amazing!) - They trimmed branches to promote growth and added sticks for plants to grow up - They treated aphids with garlic and chilli spray (organic!) - They harvested in 3 months (speedy!) kzbin.info/www/bejne/iIjCqHWqn85onbs&ab_channel=DIYGardenIdeas

[@MoonMoon-gu2ge]

Engagement for the algorithm gods.

[@antoniosanford4675]

It takes you months to make one of these videos. Mad respect!❤ what happened to your other channel "AlltheGearandNoIdea" ? Also, have you tried building a rotating sifter?

[@Hoocho]

Takes however long the plants take to grow 🤣 All the gear is still going, just had some time off over the holidays, it’s been taxing making videos for two hahaha

[@thevaultohio]

Great stuff!!

[@tammicooksforyou2]

Yukon gold consistently out produced others potatoes in hydroponic test

[@vegaszzihw]

Do you think it has anything to do with the color of the bag ? Wondering if the black gets too hot for potatoes? It might explain why the ginger, turmeric, and taro aren't effected since they're used to higher temps.

[@eidorbone]

From my point of view, after going back to check the other potato video, there was no hilling of the potatoes. Does this matter? I don't know. Maybe not so much because you got potatoes. The other difference is the space each potato got. In the bags you put sometimes more then 4 seeders per bag. That just looks like way to many for the space (for the grow bag pots and the ginger style. the pirate ship seemed to be ok). The other video you have a lot, but they also have a lot more room to grow. Maybe less seed potatoes per bag?

[@williambenson3040]

This is actually a question about your kratky tomatoes. Did you use determinate or indeterminate tomatoes?

[@melmaximus6221]

Hey love the content from here in sunny NT. Have you thought of biofortification with iodine(potassium iodate or potassium iodide) Seem can be beneficial for plant and humans with hydroponic the best for controlled delivery. Add to great food making it more healthy and nutritious. Carlos

[@micksbackyardaquaponics1408]

That was amazing video clip you put together there an did you add potato fertiliser to the mixs you made there

[@almostoily7541]

The hydroponic solution has fertilizer in it.

[@thekbshouse]

Couple of issues I've noticed in your potato grows: First time around you had right idea, give the potato lots of room and add straw on top- that'll work- but the straw needs to be moist too or your results were what you got - 10kgs of potatoes and none of them were in the straw. In dirt with same amount of seed potatoes in 4m2 I got 33kg. I topped the soil once and watered it every day until the growth exploded and their leaves gave the plants enough shade to keep the dirt moist. Those rotten potatoes you found there were most likely your seed potatoes as they get mushy by the time it's time to harvest. I think you would have had much better harvest first time around if you had dripped the nutes from top and drained from the bottom while piling on straw. Second time around there was too much moisture and not enough drainage so you just harvested your rotten seed potatoes. This time around I see couple of problems right away - you didn't let the potatoes sprout (you could even take the sprouted taters and cut them into pieces so that every piece has a sprout.( Let them dry out before you plant though.)) so some of your seedlings rotted before sprouting and you planted four plants in a space that is barely enough for one plant - making all four of them compete for resources giving you lackluster harvest as opposed to if you had spread out the plants a bit. I personally think growing potatoes in hyrdo is more work than growing them in dirt. Once you top the soil the weeds have no chance competing against the potato and they'll thrive in their own as long as there's no drought. However if you insist I suggest this: Put a pole in the ground, roll up manageable amount of your plastic tube into compact size. Maybe have a dutch bucket type system in the bottom to drain it. Sprout your seedling potatoes, cut them into pieces so every piece has a sprout and nurse them until they have their first true leaves. Plant it into your plastic tube and as it grows, unroll it to expand the grow area as you top the soil, feed the nutes from top. As the tube becomes too long you have the pole there to keep the bags upright. This way, I think, you can have better harvest with hydroponic potatoes (per plant) than in dirt, but that's a lot of work, right?

[@NHL4740]

Yo, Hoocho. Where can I get the floats from. Do you sell the 3D printer gear?

[@gapho5198]

I've never been able to grow good potatoes, even in soil.

[@accidentalhomestead5522]

its possible that you could develop a technique to revolutionize growing potatoes, and leave a legacy to benefit a later generation.

[@Washkeeton]

Potatoes, are, heavy feeders, they thrive, in a, higher, manure content, media. Depending, on, your winter, temps, there, potatoes, grow well, between, 50F and 70F degrees. I'm, in Alaska, and, potatoes, are one, of, our, biggest crops, here, with, our, colder summers.

[@EgonSorensen]

Disappointing - perhaps, but you still got some :ø) - now you know what sort gives a good yield in your setup. Save some for next season, and leave them out for light to get them to pre-sprout Btw, I thought 1, or perhaps 2, potatoes pr. bag would be a better way to go for a bigger yield. I've seen plenty of potato fields, and there's only one potato pr every so of sow-line. Perhaps a trial, on which gives a better yield pr bag - (1, 2) vs. (5) - or perhaps a new line of potatoes ;ø) Best of luck next season :ø)

[@CriticoolHit]

If you had russet mites that explains it all. Russet mites are the absolute worst. Even a SLIGHT infection will decimate a harvest. You saying you had a really bad infestation I'm amazed you got anything.

[@WR4SSE]

I miss the old timelapse music

[@nil0bject]

it's not the time to harvest potato..... remember the cyclone?

[@gazorbpazorbian]

Hi Hoocho, could you do a review on these lights? Barrina Grow Lights, 2FT 5000K White Full Spectrum Plant Growing Lamps, 144W(6 x 24W, 800W Equivalent), T8 LED Grow Light Bulbs, Plant Lights for Indoor Plants, Greenhouse, Linkable Design

[@mikenewman4078]

Chat potatoes are most likely too immature to sprout reliably. Chat isn't a variety it is more a marketing strategy to get value from immature small potatoes.

[@shannonnewman3091]

I See......

[@Giddzy]

Potatoes need more room than the small bags your using. They will only utilise the space they have available to them no matter how much nutrient solution you provide. I have also seen similar issue with rotting in my hydro setup and I believe its due to the inherent moisture levels in grow bags as they aren't breathable. I have much more success growing potatoes in a traditional manner as they drain better and have more space and leave my hydro and kratky setups to things that produce a fruit or leaf

[@dowhilegeek]

Is it stupid to be concerned about hydroponic nutrients in and around underground veg like potatoes, carrots, ginger?

[@DM-sc4zy]

way overkill for growing potatoes.

[@uwuweewee]

Of course it is disappointing for you, as you thought you were an expert. It just goes to show that you don't really know enough to give advice on youtube, especially when your greatest success is growing lettuce.

[@blackswansystem]

First 🎉

[@TravelingStacker]

Congratulations. You should tell your friend.