Topic: Potato Varieties - All you need to know

[supplies for smallholders]

Hi,

There are a lot of questions regarding potato varieties.

The British Potato Council publishes a site with a wealth of information and a database of varieties here : http://varieties.potato.org.uk/menu.php? you can search by type, resistance to disease, tuber size etc.

For instance the data sheet for maris piper is here : http://varieties.potato.org.uk/display_description.php?variety_name=Maris%20Piper

Hope some find this useful.

Thanks

Gareth
www.suppliesforsmallholders.co.uk

[saddad]

When you go to Potato Days they usually sell a small pamphlet by A Romans which contains similar info... for the technophobes among us...  ;D

[supplies for smallholders]

Yup,

You can download the database booklet in PDF here : http://varieties.potato.org.uk/reports/BPVD000101.pdf

Great nightly bedtime reading :-)

Thanks

[chriscross1966]

Ummm... doesn't work using Firefox (or Konqueror) and Okular running on Mandriva Linux 2010.... is it Mozilla compliant or knocked up on some M$ app?

[RobinOfTheHood]

It does, but it's 36.4 MB, you have to give it an hour or two!!

Try 'Save Link As' instead.  :)

[Mortality]

Oh thats great, thank you :D

[supplies for smallholders]

Whoops!

Sorry - forgot to mention it is a big file and takes a while to download - as for how its been "knocked up" I don't have any idea - ask your question to the British Potato Council  ;D

Thanks

[grawrc]

The first search I did was for Belle de Fontenay which is wrongly listed in the database as a first early whereas it is, in fact, an early maincrop, which only develops its delicious flavour if grown as a maincrop. So first impressions were not good!

[supplies for smallholders]

The first search I did was for Belle de Fontenay which is wrongly listed in the database as a first early whereas it is, in fact, an early maincrop, which only develops its delicious flavour if grown as a maincrop. So first impressions were not good!

Hi,
Thanks for your observation, I only posted the links as a guide for people who want to know a little more about varieties - Use them as you will or dont use them at all. The particular variety you mention Can be classed as a First or Second Early variety, as it is a salad potato, harvesting with the maincrops (autumn) would completly miss the season it was intended for - ie the salad season (summer).

But as I said - I am not defending the site - just posting the links for info, If there is a blatantly incorrect listing comments should be directed to the British Potato Council.

Thanks

Gareth

[BarriedaleNick]

Ummm... doesn't work using Firefox (or Konqueror) and Okular running on Mandriva Linux 2010.... is it Mozilla compliant or knocked up on some M$ app?

Opens fine in Firefox - just takes an age Chris - Slow site and a big file.
As PDF is now an open ISO standard as long as it complies with that standard surely it makes no difference whether it was created under Linux or Windows?

[mat]

Thanks for posting this Gareth.  It worked fine for me (with firefox)

The info will be very useful.  I like the way there's photos, so one can see what the potato will actually (or should!) look like, rather than just a description, including some with photos of the flowers  :D

[saddad]

I like the way there's photos, so one can see what the potato will actually (or should!) look like, rather than just a description, including some with photos of the flowers 

That's all we need Potato porn as well,....  ;D

[supplies for smallholders]

I like the way there's photos, so one can see what the potato will actually (or should!) look like, rather than just a description, including some with photos of the flowers 

That's all we need Potato porn as well,....  ;D

Hehe - I really think you need to spend more time off the allotment !  ;D

[Paulines7]

I have Firefox too and had no problems downloading it.  Thanks for the link Gareth, it will come in handy.

[grawrc]

 The particular variety you mention Can be classed as a First or Second Early variety, as it is a salad potato, harvesting with the maincrops (autumn) would completly miss the season it was intended for - ie the salad season (summer).

Oh really?
http://www.alanromans.com/p-1675-belle-de-fontenay.aspx

[mat]

That's all we need Potato porn as well,....  ;D

ha ha... photos of naked potatoes and their sexual organs ;-) LOL  cheered me up on a cold day  ;D

[mat]

Oh really?
http://www.alanromans.com/p-1675-belle-de-fontenay.aspx

I suppose the database states what the potatoes have been developed for - so as Gareth pointed out, they were developed and can be grown as a salad "early" potato...

However, Alan Romans is known for adding his own views - so in his view (and yours) they are not an early potato.

I for one, like to see different views.  I then make up my own opinion  ;D

[supplies for smallholders]

 The particular variety you mention Can be classed as a First or Second Early variety, as it is a salad potato, harvesting with the maincrops (autumn) would completly miss the season it was intended for - ie the salad season (summer).

Oh really?
http://www.alanromans.com/p-1675-belle-de-fontenay.aspx

My apologies, I forgot that "Alan Romans Seed Sales" was the definitive knowledge base for seed potatoes - obviously the British Potato Council does not have a clue what they are talking about  ::) and I stand corrected  :D

Looks like this could become a "Hot Potato"  ;D

Thanks

Gareth
www.suppliesforsmallholders.co.uk

[supplies for smallholders]

Oh,

By the way - my seed potatoes are Considerably cheaper than in the link you posted above and come with a Certified Scottish Seed Tag.  :P

Thanks

Gareth
www.suppliesforsmallholders.co.uk

[Mortality]

Oh,

By the way - my seed potatoes are Considerably cheaper than in the link you posted above and come with a Certified Scottish Seed Tag.  :P

Thanks

Gareth
www.suppliesforsmallholders.co.uk

heh, I don't need a 25kg bag  :P