New indoor potato plants have yellowing shriveling leaves - Ask Extension
I have 2 potato plants grown from store bought potatoes. They are about 5 weeks from initially sprouting and have numerous stalks. One is around 42"...
Knowledgebase
New indoor potato plants have yellowing shriveling leaves #446529
Asked April 06, 2018, 1:55 PM EDT
I have 2 potato plants grown from store bought potatoes. They are about 5 weeks from initially sprouting and have numerous stalks. One is around 42" tall, the other 34". A bunch of the leaves have been turning yellow, getting dark brown/black areas at the edges, shriveling and falling off. Can you tell me what could be wrong and what I can do to fix it? Thanks also, if this helps, I potted both up to larger pots, about 10 to 12" wide, and kept them watered but not excessively so I don't get root rot. They get sunlight all day, but from a North facing side window and the room temp is between 64 to 68 degrees. Hopefully that's enough info. Thanks again
Cook County Illinois
Expert Response
Thank you for including the photographs with your description of your potato problem.
There are probably several things working against your potato plants. First: you say these are from "store-bought" potatoes. I'm assuming you mean the grocery store. We generally do not plant potatoes from the grocery store. These potatoes may carry harmful potato diseases that will hurt the growth of your crop. Tubers from the grocery store may also be treated with sprout inhibitors that may prevent the plant from growing in your garden.
Potatoes need full sunlight conditions, much like tomatoes and peppers do. Growing them indoors is going to be a problem because even during the summer, in a south-facing window, you're still not getting enough sunlight to reach your plant. In a north-facing window, and during the winter (with shorter days, and lower sunlight intensity), your plants are going to suffer from a lack of light. I notice that the leaves on your plant look small and stunted, which would be another sign of low-light conditions.
Potato plants need a large soil area for adequate root growth and water drainage. You said that you transplanted them up to a 10-12 inch wide pot. This is not big enough for healthy plant growth. I would recommend something no smaller than a 5 gallon bucket.
The browning of the leaf tips could be due to root rot, which would be caused by poor drainage. Be sure your containers have drainage holes. And be sure that the pots are not sitting in saucers that don't allow the excess water to drain away.
If you have any other questions, please feel free to let me know!
There are probably several things working against your potato plants. First: you say these are from "store-bought" potatoes. I'm assuming you mean the grocery store. We generally do not plant potatoes from the grocery store. These potatoes may carry harmful potato diseases that will hurt the growth of your crop. Tubers from the grocery store may also be treated with sprout inhibitors that may prevent the plant from growing in your garden.
Potatoes need full sunlight conditions, much like tomatoes and peppers do. Growing them indoors is going to be a problem because even during the summer, in a south-facing window, you're still not getting enough sunlight to reach your plant. In a north-facing window, and during the winter (with shorter days, and lower sunlight intensity), your plants are going to suffer from a lack of light. I notice that the leaves on your plant look small and stunted, which would be another sign of low-light conditions.
Potato plants need a large soil area for adequate root growth and water drainage. You said that you transplanted them up to a 10-12 inch wide pot. This is not big enough for healthy plant growth. I would recommend something no smaller than a 5 gallon bucket.
The browning of the leaf tips could be due to root rot, which would be caused by poor drainage. Be sure your containers have drainage holes. And be sure that the pots are not sitting in saucers that don't allow the excess water to drain away.
If you have any other questions, please feel free to let me know!
