saving potatoes for planting?

[antipodes]

As I find it very hard to get Pink Fir Apple spuds here for growing, I have a few that maybe I could save for next year (they seem healthy). But how can I store them so they will keep till march ?

[antipodes]

[gavinjconway]

Throw them into your loft and keep checking them. If they start to sprout then rub them chits off.

But in saying that I'd rather buy proper certified seed free of viruses etc. You say they are hard to get where you are. The internet is the same where we both are so just get them online. A couple of quid extra for postage is soon forgotten when you taste your home grown spuds.. 

[peanuts]

I've had the same problem, Antipodes, and for several years have brought them out from UK   if we've been back there in January. Last year I used  some of my saved seed, but i'm not that happy about doing that, even though I had a good crop this year from them.  Then a French friend told me he'd bought seed potatoes  that were the same as our PF apple, which I found hard to believe! Then he showed me the box, and blow me they were the same variety, but with a different French name.  In small print on the box, it said PF apple!  Now of course I can't remember the French name, but I will ask him when I see him and tell you. I've looked for them before and just not recognised them as such.

[Tee Gee]

I have been saving my own  PFA's for many years now!

Usually; each year I save around 30-35 tubers about 2" long and 1" diameter this is what I got off them this year;



All I do is place them in a (small) paper bag under the bench in my heated greenhouse throughout the winter, next to my stored potatoes.

When I say 'heated' I mean frost free as I have my thermostat set for 2°C (about 36°F)

This is my stored Potatoes;



You can just see them here under the bench;



Edit
The secret is make sure your saved tubers are absolutely dry before bagging them up, and keep them in a cool dry spot!

They do not want to be in a position where they get extremes of temperature e.g. cold/hot as this makes them sweat, creating the potential for rotting.

If I think on I have a look now and again.

I usually expose them to chitting in Feb/March as they take so long to chit, this also gets them into fresh air sooner.

[ancellsfarmer]

Antipodes,
If you cant find them locally, may I suggest you try:
http://www.plantes-et-jardins.com/p/17230-pomme-de-terre-corne-de-gatte-pink-fir-apple

According to my reresearch, the variety was  originally French!, and introduced to Uk around 1850 by Suttons.
If your stock looks healthy, has not shown signs of blight or other nasty then the best to do is save your own.As long as you dont sell them, the only potential loser would be you.
If they are kept dry, at 2-4C and out of the light, they should be OK.Check them as you might any other stored crop, occasionally. Protec t from rodents etc
If you are short of stock, remember that only one "eye "" is necessary to grow one plant. Some deft work with an apple corer just prior to planting would increase the number of "seeds" considerably.
Bon Chance.

[gavinjconway]

Ebay - certified seed spuds..

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/10-SEED-POTATOES-SALAD-TYPE-PINK-FIR-APPLE-QUALITY-SCOTTISH-CERTIFIED-TUBERS-/171131669033?pt=UK_HomeGarden_Garden_PlantsSeedsBulbs_JN&hash=item27d83e0a29

[goodlife]

I save most of my own seed potatoes...BUT....I keep only the best looking and blemish free individuals.
Those that pass my inspection gets quick wash in washing up water, allowed to dry and then put away in cool and dark place. Unheated shed will do but they have to be packed away from mice proof container and given quilt over to prevent freezing.

[Floyds]

Great post TG.

[antipodes]

Hmmm I guess I can store them in the cellar then? in the basement? In a small cardboard box? I agree, great post TG, how lucky to have such a setup.

I agree that you can buy online but live plant parts cannot be shipped overseas normally... Also I often find them very expensive online.
It is true that they are called the Corne de Gatte (literally the horn of the goat, as gatte used to be a very old word for goat!) in France but they remain fiendishly hard to come by! Last year I found them by chance in a spud sale, but this year, nothing doing. A kind person sent me a few by the post and I have managed to get a little stock of tubers from growing on those, but it's not much. Perhaps I am just being too fussy and should grow something else?  I have tried the famous French ratte earlies but I found them disappointing. The PFA can get so big and there are so many per plant, it is hard to resist them!

[Floyds]

If you are finding it difficult sourcing PFA have you considered a PFA cross?
Sainsbury's crossed PFA with Desiree and named it after Lady Sainsbury who name is Anya. I'm going to try Anya next year as well as PFA and do a taste comparison.