Potato Seeds?

London, United Kingdom

I got a load of potato seeds out of the berries on my potato plants last year and I was thinking about planting them, however I have no idea how or when to plant them, how to take care of them or even if there's any chance of their survival. Does anybody have any experience of this or should I just pack it in as a bad lot and chit some seed potato?

8 Jan, 2009

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Answers

Sid

Hi there - the plants you grow from seed will not be of reliable type. However, growing plants from seed is how breeders discover new varieties, so you might produce a real winner! However, it's pretty unlikly I'm afraid! Also, on a serious note, you are probably aware that potatoes contain solanum, which is toxic in any quantity. I suspect that varieties available commerically are tested for their 'natural' solamum content and the plants you produce from seed may have a greater content of solamum than is healthy for you. I think on balance you are better off doing things the traditional way and chitting some spuds! Hope this helps.

23 Jan, 2009

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