why are my potatoes wrinkled and soft?

Question: I grew potatoes from seed for the first time this year. Harvested last week before any big frosts, I was surprised that most of them are soft and wrinkled. I soaked them overnight in a bucket of water, thinking they might be de-hydrated, but there was no improvement. What did I do wrong? Are they edible?

responder: Alison O'Connor, PhD  Replied November 04, 2024, 12:44 PM EST
response: Hi Brigitte,  Following harvest, potatoes should be stored in a humid, but cool (60 degrees), environment to allow them to "cure" for 10-14 days. This allows the skin to thicken and can also allow bruises or small cuts to heal. Then you can move the potatoes to a fridge or other cool place (about 40 degrees) that is well-ventilated. Using perforated bags (like mesh or plastic) with holes is a good choice.  Unfortunately, your potatoes will not store long-term and are likely to spoil. You can try eating them, but they probably won't taste great. Soaking them in water will not rehydrate them.  CSU Extension does have a fact sheet on growing potatoes.  From that publication: After harvest, the potatoes should be stored in a dark place with high humidity at 50 to 60F for about two weeks to cure, or set the skin. This can occur in a cooler part of the house, such as a utility room with a portable humidifier. The potatoes are then ready for long term storage in the dark at 40F, which prevents the potatoes from sprouting or shriveling due to moisture loss. The tubers should not be kept in sealed containers, but should be stored in burlap bags or slotted bins conducive to airflow. If they will be eaten within a week, potatoes can be stored at room temperature.

responder: The Question Asker Replied November 04, 2024, 3:01 PM EST
response: My question was why did they come out of the ground looking like that in the first place? A disease?BrigitteSent from my iPhone On Nov 4, 2024, at 10:45 AM, Ask Extension wrote:﻿

responder: Alison O'Connor, PhD  Replied November 04, 2024, 3:50 PM EST
response: Hi again,  It probably stems to something cultural during the growing process - from drought, heat, cold, too much moisture, or a combination of things. It could be also disease.  If you cut back on watering late in the season, but still had green vines, then it's likely this resulted in water loss (potatoes are mostly water) to the tubers.  It's hard to say without knowing more about how they were grown and maintained during the season.

responder: The Question Asker Replied November 04, 2024, 5:44 PM EST
response: Thank you for your reply. I grew these potatoes in a large approx. 2 ft high black bin on top of landscaping cloth, in order to avoid worms which burrowed through potatoes I grew in the ground during past years. I watered consistently, but maybe not enough for them to be comfortable and healthy. I will chalk that experiment off as a failure. Sigh.Brigitte DempseyOn Nov 4, 2024, at 1:50 PM, Ask Extension wrote:

responder: Alison O'Connor, PhD  Replied November 04, 2024, 6:11 PM EST
response: I think you did a lot of things right. They do need regular water (just like tomatoes, eggplant, and peppers) and regular fertilizer. Also, the potato variety may have something to do with it - consider going to a local nursery/garden center and buying seed potatoes (if you didn't take this step).   When you planted, did you mound them? Usually you start with a few inches of media in the pot, place the potatoes and add a couple of inches on top. When they start to grow, add more media on top (bury the growth) - this is mounding. Do this until the vines reach the top. You might be able to do 2-3 mounds...and at each layer, you'll get potatoes.   And a more in-depth video:   I have a feeling you know much of this already....sorry if it's a repeat! :)

responder: The Question Asker Replied November 04, 2024, 10:00 PM EST
response: Yes, I did mound them, fertilize them and water them. I grew from seed for the first time because I read that it is illegal to order seed potatoes for Colorado. And I got lots of potatoes but they were mostly shrivelled up as per the picture.I’ve had no problem growing eggplant, peppers, cucumber, okra and tomatoes in containers. But the potatoes were clearly unhappy.Thanks,BrigitteOn Nov 4, 2024, at 4:11 PM, Ask Extension wrote: