Sad to see your potato plants falling over? Not to worry, as every other gardener faces a common problem. We all know that potatoes are the most significant part of our diet. This versatile vegetable is used in the kitchen now and then, especially on special occasions.
To reduce or completely stop the potato plant from falling over, we need to analyze the root cause of it. A potato plant falling over in your backyard is an upsetting and unexpected situation for the gardeners, as they have invested a lot of time and effort in growing them. It is normal to think if it is dying, has matured before its due time, or simply because of an animal.
In this article, we will explain 5 major reasons affecting your pretty potato plant. These tips will help you harvest more significant quantities and quality potatoes for your family. This article is equally vital for people who have planted or are planning to grow potatoes. Let’s dig in…….
Hey there fellow gardeners! I’ve been getting tons of questions lately about potato plants falling over, and I totally get the panic – nobody wants their precious spud harvest ruined! After years of growing potatoes and helping others with their gardens, I’m here to share everything you need to know about this common problem.
The Quick Answer
Potato plants typically fall over for these main reasons:
- Natural maturity (this is actually good news!)
- Insufficient soil support
- Over-fertilization
- Disease or pest problems
- Environmental stress
When Falling Over is Actually Good News
Let me start with some relief – if your potato plants are falling over around 75-160 days after planting (depending on variety) it’s probably totally normal! This is actually a sign that your potatoes are ready for harvest. The plants will
- Turn yellowish
- Start drooping
- Eventually die back completely
Think of it as your potatoes saying “Hey we’re done growing – come dig us up!”
Common Reasons for Premature Falling Over
1. Not Enough Soil Support (Hilling Issues)
One of the biggest mistakes I see new potato growers make is not hilling their plants properly. Here’s what you need to know:
- Potatoes grow along the buried stem
- Plants need soil mounded around them as they grow
- Without proper hilling, stems get top-heavy and fall over
Quick Fix: Add more soil or mulch around the base of your plants, leaving just the top few inches exposed.
2. Over-Fertilization Problems
I learned this one the hard way! Too much nitrogen fertilizer causes:
- Super tall, leggy growth
- Weak stems that can’t support themselves
- Lots of green growth but fewer actual potatoes
Solution: Use a balanced fertilizer or one with less nitrogen. Focus on phosphorus and potassium instead.
3. Environmental Stress
Your potato plants might be falling victim to:
Temperature Issues:
- Best tuber formation: 60-70°F (16-21°C)
- Too hot (over 80°F/27°C): Plants struggle
- Frost damage: Immediate collapse
Water Problems:
- Overwatering leads to root rot
- Underwatering causes weakness
- Inconsistent watering = stressed plants
Disease and Pest Concerns
Common Diseases:
Early Blight:
- Brown spots with yellow rings
- Starts on lower leaves
- Can cause plant collapse
Late Blight:
- Dark brown blotches
- Spreads rapidly
- Can destroy entire crops
Pesky Pests:
Colorado Potato Beetles:
- Strip leaves
- Weaken plants
- Can cause collapse if infestation is severe
Cutworms:
- Cut stems at soil level
- Cause immediate falling over
- Usually attack at night
Prevention and Solutions
Here’s what I do to keep my potato plants standing tall:
-
Proper Hilling:
- Start when plants are 6 inches tall
- Add 2-3 inches of soil every couple weeks
- Keep going until plants flower
-
Support Structures:
- Use tomato cages for tall varieties
- Install stakes before plants get big
- Consider trellising for container plants
-
Smart Watering:
- Water deeply but infrequently
- Keep soil moist but not waterlogged
- Water at soil level to prevent disease
-
Disease Prevention:
- Rotate crops yearly
- Maintain good air circulation
- Remove infected plants promptly
When to Harvest
If your plants are falling over naturally, here’s how to know it’s harvest time:
- Check plant age against variety specs
- Look for yellowing foliage
- Wait for flowers to finish blooming
- Gently dig up a test potato
Final Thoughts
Remember, sometimes falling over is just part of the potato growing cycle! Don’t panic if you see your plants starting to droop – check the timing and symptoms against this guide. With proper care and attention, you’ll be harvesting plenty of delicious spuds in no time.
Got any other potato growing questions? Drop them in the comments below! I’d love to help you troubleshoot your specific situation. Happy growing!
Need more gardening tips? Check out our other guides on successful vegetable growing!
3- Weak and leggy
Mostly weak and leggy plants fall from their weight as they grow bigger. Even staking will not help much when the base of the plant is weak. The reason for this thing is insufficient sunlight. Potatoes need proper 6 to 7 hours of sunlight to flourish. Before you grow a potato plant, please choose the right place for your potato plant so it can easily absorb sunlight, as sunlight is the basic need of a plant.
One of the most common reasons potato plants fall over is insufficient staking. Staking is essential because it supports the plant, especially as the potato tubers start to develop and the plant becomes top-heavy. If you did not stake your plant correctly, or if the stake was not tall enough, that could be why it is fallen over. The staking should be done early in the season. Staking should be done according to the growth of the plant.
Pests can sometimes cause potato plants to fall over. For example, if beetles or other pests eat away the plant’s roots, that can weaken its structure and cause it to topple over. Keep observing for any signs of pests around your potato plants. So that you can address the problem before it gets out of hand. Some other pests can damage your plant:
These are tiny insects about ½ to ¼ inches in length. These pests usually appear in the spring when the seeds emerge from the soil. Flea beetles make holes in the leaves while feeding. Later these holes catch fungal infections such as “verticillium wilt and fusarium rot.”
Now coming towards the solution, that is pesticides. But before going for pesticides, keep an eye on the plant. If there are one or two insects, then remove them. But if they are higher in number and the leaves are eaten or turning yellow, use pesticides as soon as possible.
5 Major Reasons Potato Plants Falling Over
Water is the most basic necessity of a living organism. While watering, we need to be careful as over-watering or under-watering can be the reason for the potato plant to fall. If we overwater the potato plant, the soil becomes over-logged and will stop the roots from getting enough air from the soil. It will cause the roots to rot.
Similarly, underwater is equally vital in the cause of potato plants falling over. Suppose you see a plant with brown edges without any good reason. It means your plant is dehydrated or not getting enough water to survive. It can cause potato plants to fall if preventive measures are not taken promptly. Improper watering can give rise to root rotting that destroys the base of the plant. When the roots are rotten, it’s difficult for the plant to stand. Every plant is different from one another. So water your potato plant according to its need.
If you want your plant to be in good shape, check the water quality you give to the plants.
Tip: Water the plant before noon. Use a sprinkler for watering.
Extreme hot or extremely cold weather can indeed be the reason for potato plants falling over. Plants are susceptible; they can not survive severe weather like snowfall, strong breezes, storms, or heavy rainfall even if they are properly staked. The wind can put additional pressure on the plant, causing it to lean or fall over. If you are living in an area with strong winds, it is essential to consider that when choosing a spot to plant your potatoes.
The solution to this issue is to find a suitable place, or you can adjust the shade over the plants to save them from being destroyed.
Why Are My Potato Plants Falling Over?
FAQ
How to fix droopy potato plants?
Add mulch. You need to hill your potatoes up. I like big bags of sandy garden soil and peat moss. The biggest Yukons I ever grew was hilled by the big bags of potting soil.
What do overwatered potato plants look like?
Overwatering. Yellowing leaves can also be a sign of disease or root rot caused by overwatering. Potato plants really don’t like to have their roots sitting in water. The goal is to give these plants a deep watering and then allow the area to dry out before watering again.
How often should I water my potato plants?
Why are my Potatoes falling over?
Potato blight can sometimes cause the tops of your potatoes to fall over. This disease is caused by the Phytophthora infestans fungus. This fungus can be either soilborne or airborne. When the fungal spores reach your potato plants they begin actively growing when weather conditions are right — usually in cold, wet weather.
Why do potato plants turn yellow & fall over?
Potato plants also turn yellow and fall over when the plants are mature & ready for harvest. If your potato plants are mature, it is not a cause for concern when they fall over (you can find out by digging to see if there are harvest-ready tubers under the plants). But, if your plants are not mature, you should look into why they are falling over.
How do you keep potatoes from falling over?
To avoid potato plants falling over from spindly stems, grow them in an area that receives 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight daily. Avoid growing tall plants, like corn, or placing a trellis where the plants will cast shade on your potatoes. Thin stems are easily blown over in windy conditions. 7. Pests
What happens if a potato plant falls over?
If potato plants fall over, they become more susceptible to diseases and fungal infections. There are a few options to help keep your potato plants from falling over. Hilling – This technique means piling the soil around the base of the potato plant as it grows. This provides extra added support as it continues to grow.
What causes immature potatoes to fall?
Some of the basic causes of immature potatoes falling include too much watering, too much fertilizer, pests, or extreme temperatures. Let’s find out more information about each cause below. If your potato plants are overgrown due to the heavy application of special fertilizers with high nitrogen content, they are very likely to fall to the ground.
Do potatoes fall at different times?
The height of each potato is also different so it will fall at different times. At maturity, the height of the potato is about 12 inches to 45 inches. Most potato varieties will fall when they reach 18 to 24 inches in height. It is a fact that you should not cut off the top of a potato when it is too tall or trimmed.