Topic: Old Potatoes from last year! Experiment.

[the_snail]

I am doing a unplaned experiment. I have 2 rows of spuds that I did not harvest from last year and they are growing ok so I thought That I would leave them in and grow them on this year to see If I get any descent crop from them.  I will tidy detween the rows and mulch them well with homemade compost and see what we get.

[Robert_Brenchley]

I left some, dug them up and replanted them as seed. They're coming up fine.

[Justy]

I too thought this might be a good idea but have a look at this thread:

http://www.allotments4all.co.uk/yabbse/index.php/topic,9022.0.html

Seems might not be good idea after all!

[philcooper]

It's a very bad idea!!!  >:(

As Justy says look at the other threads.

A quote from the British Potato Council' Fight Againts Blight leaflet 4
"Volunteer potatoes act as a primary infection source by over-wintering infected tubers, and provide unprotected foliage that can act as an entry point throughout the season for blight. They can also act as a reservoir or a host for other problems such as spraing, PCN, black scurf, black dot, powdery scab etc. Volunteers are also a host for aphids and aphid transmitted potato viruses."

Volunteers are potatoes from last year's crop please root them out now

Phil

[Robert_Brenchley]

what are you supposed to do if you have a very expensive heritage variety? I don't, yet, but I want to practice and make sure I can produce my own seed satisfactorily.

[Clayhithe]

I confess

I never buy seed potatoes:
I always use a few leftover Sainsbury spuds

Tha dangers are blight (which is a fungus transmitted by windborne spores esp in wet weather)
and potato mosaic virus (which is transmitted by aphids)

Robert,

if you see any sign of either I suggest you pull them and burn them.

[redimp]

what are you supposed to do if you have a very expensive heritage variety? I don't, yet, but I want to practice and make sure I can produce my own seed satisfactorily.

The advice with those is that you produce your own seed - I have always wondered why that is the advice with those but not with any other potatoes.  I am interested in trying some of those nexte year so I hope it will be OK to produce your own seed.

[philcooper]

If you maintain non-listed potatoes (there are plenty of listed heritage varieties) and you don't live in a blight free area (North Scotland) then you need to be very careful.

Heritage varieties aren't "expensive". They have no value as you are not allowed to sell the seed, the most you can do is purchase microplants.

To maintain non-listed varieties, keep the potatoes growing as far away from others as you can, keep a very watchful eye out for blight. Lift early to avoid blight, but if you have the slightest hint of it, cut off the tops immediately, leave in the ground for 3 weeks and then harvest.

Inspect tubers frequently for signs of blight and if there is the slightest hint of it, dispose of them. There are lots of enthusiasts who will happily replace your stock for you.

Phil

[Robert_Brenchley]

£9.65 for 5 microplants is what I call expensive potatoes! Worth trying though; perhaps next year if my overwintered seed does OK.