Can tou take a cutting from a potato plant

[Jeannine]

Potatoes and tomatoes are the same family right?

I can take an axil cutting from a tomato pant and root it in water, can I do the same thing with a potato plant?

I haven't personally got a clue

[Jeannine]

[galina]

Yes you can.  You can break off a sprout on an eating potato that has got sprouts, put it in a pot right way up and it will root pretty much straightaway.  Then it can be planted out.  You can do the same with a branch.  I get your drift to increase your one remaining Charlotte potato and I think you can. 

[ancellsfarmer]

Agree, although have not ( yet) needed to do it.I have heard that some grow potato plants from 'eyes' alone.* In fact I recall some one telling me that he had bought them by weight, although it may have been a leg-pull. I can't remember who it was. Anybody comment?

*experiments called for, will report! Will punch some out with the breadpaste (fishing) punch 8mm dia.

[saddad]

Potatoes will root and grow from virtually any part of the plant.. even potato peelings will root if they contain an eye. I'm fairly certain it was even encouraged during the "Dig for Victory" campaign.

[ancellsfarmer]

Potatoes will root and grow from virtually any part of the plant.. even potato peelings will root if they contain an eye. I'm fairly certain it was even encouraged during the "Dig for Victory" campaign.

Yes, that would concur with my suspicion as to where I heard it. Very appropriate in this troubled year. All accounts suggest that potatoes will be in short supply due to growers being stopped from planting by terminated contracts by McCains (loss of catering trade-chips) Additional planting recommended if you can find the space. Its not too late for main crop varieties.
Potatoes are an excellent crop to reclaim old plots &waste land, especially if nettled. Mow, plant, cover with compost/straw/lawn mowings . Ridge ,and harvest with your best gloves in September-Nov.

[Jeannine]

Thanks folks. I have got one, it is not very big but I did last year with a very tiny side shoot of a tomato. That one was barely an inch tall, I mad a hole in a  milk bottle plastic lid in an egg cup.which fit perfectly and placed the tiny cutting in that. The ring held if in the water as it was so tiny it was floating on it;s side.Long story it worked and I got a plant from an extra plant , as I had no seeds left and could not get them

So I have a small potato plant set up the same. One leaf perished  but the other couple seem fine.

Yes Galina, you are right..

I have had a couple of volunteer plants pop up from the Charlotte bed  too.They can't stay there as those beds are being ripped out to put shrubs in. They are right by the fence and didn't get enough sun of what I wanted.. I have dug the plants up and replanted them in a safe place, all but one have trnaspanted well. Again I have no idea what will happen but I will see.

[Jeannine]

Pictures of baby clone

[Hector]

Ingenious Jeannine.

Will this give you a potato that delivers this season?

[galina]

It should Hector, unless blight is very early.

Good news about the volunteers, Jeannine.  You shall have your potatoes after all 

[Jeannine]

The volunteers have all taken being moved, even the one I thought was kaput, they were just roots, no sign of a tuber but they are growing well, so we will see. The picture was of my tomato from last year.It was funny. I was asked for a plant that I only had 1 of and it was someone sort of special. so I took a cutting of the only one which itself was very small, hence the small cutting, but it worked a treat.

What we do for plants and stuff eh? You have to admit we are passionate.

[JanG]

Sounds like you might be able to build up a nice little clutch of Charlotte.
Hope to hear soon that your potato in an egg cup has begun to show signs of life.

[galina]

Yes, how to multiply plants, by cuttings or by seedsaving is in the blood of many a gardener.  Wish you good luck Jeannine