Seed potatoe problems?

[Colin Miles]

With regard to size mattering, I think this would apply more to the total yield of a plant/tuber rather than the size of individual tubers. Anyway, it is a theory that I am testing as I saved a lot of small tubers - I mean 1/2 inch or less - from the heritage potatoes that I grew last year.

These were saved from the previous years micro-plants from Alan Romans (Witchhill and Salad Blue). I didn't expect them to survive the winter, but they did and were chitting well. So I put 30 of them in small pots to see if they would grow. They did, so I then potted them on to larger pots and they are looking absolutely splendid in the greenhouse. And I intend to pot them on still further, some inside the greenhouse, the rest outside.

I will also be able to see how they yield in comparison with 'normal' size tubers as I ordered more of these same varieties from Alan Romans as they are now available as conservation grade.

[pump_king]

I have got pots from both T & M and Alan Romans this year, the ones from Alan Romans are already in the ground and growing well, the ones from T & M including the "free" Ulster Sceptre still think it's winter and are doing nothing fast. Every year I always say I will never order from T & M again as I never seem to get a good crop from anything I buy from them.

[lizzie]

Ordered my seeds from Alan Romans online on Sunday night and I received them on Tuesday morning, complete without any mistakes.

I'll order my spuds from him and see how they go. I don't mind paying a bit extra for quality

[Binky]

Twenty seven days after first contacting them, but only one day after posting on the KG forum, T & M have replied (I will be kind, it could be coincidence).

"Unfortunately, due to the adverse weather conditions last summer, which many gardeners will have experienced, our crops of Sarpo varieties had not grown fully to the sizes expected, Sarpo Axona and organic Sarpo Axona have been particularly badly affected on tuber size. As a result and to ensure we are able to satisfy the huge demand for these varieties, we have graded the seed potatoes on a smaller size. The size of the seed potatoes will not adversely affect the yield of your resultant crop – a fact you may not be aware of is that farmers normally pay a premium for small seed potatoes! The tubers will produce fewer stolons but the resulting tubers will be larger. We do suggest however that you plant the tubers closer together, and you may find the following details helpful:

Planting guide

Plant smaller tubers closer together, we suggest allowing 37cm (15inches) between tubers, in rows 45cm (18 inches) apart. This will ensure the tubers do not get too big during the growing season. Any normal 35/55 graded tubers can be planted at your preferred distances."

They have also offered to replace the Charlotte.

Does anyone have any thoughts on the planting guide? If I plant them closer, will I get a larger quantity of smaller tubers rather than one or two giants?

Lizzie – did you order any seed potatoes from Alan Roman? I would be interested to hear what they are like?

Regards

Binky
[

[Di]

T and M are being a little disingenuous in the comment on farmers paying more for small seed potatoes, they may do, but they are buying by the ton, not per item.

The smaller potatoes, planted at closer spacings will produce a more even distribution of plants and tubers over any given space, and a higher yield from lower tonnage of seed spuds. However, if you are buying ten or twenty of something, the closer spacing just means you are getting a crop from a smaller area of land for the same money. The more efficient spacing may or may not up the yield....have to go and reread my book on that.

The advice I've been given (by the allotment shop font of wisdom)is to rub out all but two of the sprouts on seed spuds to get a similar even spacing of plants, regardless of potato sizes. This is probably sound advice, but I will be seeking to buy my spuds by weight next year from somewhere I can choose them myself.

[Lurganspade]

Hello Di,

I would not worry too much about getting your potatoes chitted before planting. I find that it does not make much difference to the final crop,whether they are chitted or not.
(only the first few lifted are a smaller crop, the rest are fine)
Anyway, after yesterdays and todays rain, all potatoes are safer in storage, than planted in sodden soil, where they would most likely rot.

Easter may be very early this year, but don't forget it is still winter,here in Gloucestershire.

One question to those who buy their potatoes mail order, WHY?
Are there no local suppliers?
Not only have you paid postage, they are twice the price,with much less selection than locally here, and you can pick what ever pack takes your fancy.

Cheers!

[Di]

Hi Lurganspade,

i bought mail order as T&M have a monopoly on Mayan Gold and the Sarpo varieties I wanted to try. I then got sucked into buying fever -worsened by the application of red wine.

Next year I will be looking for a potatoe day to visit.

[lizzie]

Hi Binky

I haven't placed my order yet but will do by the end of the week. (waiting for payday )

Lurgenspade: I agree that p&p can be expensive but I do not have a choice about buying mail order erally. The lottie does do a seed order but they do not stock the varieties that I would like to buy. My only other outlet would be Rapid Hardware (a Liverpool only store) or B&Q and I don't buy from them for the same reasons. Plus, I only want to grow spuds that I can't buy in the shops. I only grow 2 varieties at the most.

[Lurganspade]

Hi Di.

Re potato day, every year Dundry Nurseries, beside Staverton Airport,has a potato weekend.
It was on 19/20th Jan this year,usually about the third weekend in Jan. Just Google Dundry Nurseries and there are lots of pages to peruse.
It is a family run affair, not the most modern but the staff are 5 star, nothing too much trouble.
They have over 150 varieties,and you can buy from one potato upwards,(no they do not give halves )
I buy what I need,and then try a few of ones I have not tried before, almost all of which are a dissapointment.
They had Sapro(3 var) and Mayan Gold last season which I tried, poor, poor taste to say the least but they might be different in your soil!

Cheers for now>

[Lurganspade]

Hi Lizzie,

Sorry to hear you have not got a handy site to buy from.
I am lucky that we have lots of large garden centres within a decent range.

And then there is Wilko not a great range,but this year when I looked at the seed potatoes, very good quality ( they had only been put out on the shelves) and priced from £2.80 to £3.00
per 3kgs.
At the G.Centres, I check out the plants etc, whilst my wife checks out the cafe, need I say anymore.

[lizzie]

It's the other way round with my Lurgenspade...... they tend to wait outside, then phone me after 5 minutes or come looking for me.

I tend to go alone now so that I can have a bit of peace and am able to browse at my own speed....

Families eh?