Grow Potatoes from true seed

Discussion in 'Edible Gardening' started by Mike77, Aug 15, 2018.

  1. Mike77

    Mike77 Gardener

    Joined:
    Jun 23, 2017
    Messages:
    175
    Gender:
    Male
    Ratings:
    +172
    Has anyone ever grown potatoes from true seed?

    I have a volunteer popped up from my Purple Majesty potatoes I planted last year. I remember they fruited last year and it has again this year. This year i have planted Highland Burgundy. So possibly a cross between the two but who knows.

    So I see that I can collect the seeds from the fruit and plant and end up with my own potato. Sounds like an interesting project. The source i have read suggests planting in winter as they take longer to develop. So I think indoors but when exactly? This year or next?

    Would be interested to know if anyone has done it and what were the results.

    Mike
     
    Mike77, Aug 15, 2018
    #1 Quote in Conversation
  2. JWK

    JWK Gardener Staff Member

    Joined:
    Jun 3, 2008
    Messages:
    33,056
    Gender:
    Male
    Location:
    Surrey
    Ratings:
    +51,734
    It will be pot luck what turns up (forgive the pun) a cross between the two will produce possibly poorer offspring - who knows you might get something better it's all down to genetics. Be careful sowing potato seed in the winter they are frost sensitive.
     
    • Like Like x 1
      JWK, Aug 15, 2018
      #2 Quote in Conversation
    • Mike77

      Mike77 Gardener

      Joined:
      Jun 23, 2017
      Messages:
      175
      Gender:
      Male
      Ratings:
      +172
      Yup appreciate it would be totally pot luck. It is really only a little side project. I'm thinking of starting the seeds off indoors in pots in the new year then transplanting out.
       
      Mike77, Aug 15, 2018
      #3 Quote in Conversation
    • Scrungee

      Scrungee Well known for it

      Joined:
      Dec 5, 2010
      Messages:
      16,524
      Location:
      Central England on heavy clay soil
      Ratings:
      +28,998
      • Like Like x 1
        Scrungee, Aug 15, 2018
        #4 Quote in Conversation
      • Steve R

        Steve R Soil Furtler

        Joined:
        Feb 15, 2008
        Messages:
        3,892
        Gender:
        Male
        Occupation:
        Carer
        Location:
        Cumbria
        Ratings:
        +3,703
        • Like Like x 1
          Steve R, Aug 15, 2018
          #5 Quote in Conversation
        • JWK

          JWK Gardener Staff Member

          Joined:
          Jun 3, 2008
          Messages:
          33,056
          Gender:
          Male
          Location:
          Surrey
          Ratings:
          +51,734
          It's an interesting project Mike, I'd treat them like tomatoes from seed as they are the same family. Sow in mid march and once germinated keep them on a well lit cool window sill to prevent them going leggy.
           
          • Like Like x 1
            JWK, Aug 15, 2018
            #6 Quote in Conversation
          • Mike77

            Mike77 Gardener

            Joined:
            Jun 23, 2017
            Messages:
            175
            Gender:
            Male
            Ratings:
            +172
            Good link I have had a skim through it.

            I now see my spare room filled with potato seedlings next march and then half my garden dedicated to potato production. Perhaps this isn't a good idea! I grew tomatoes for the first time this year and am hooked.

            Really like the idea of having my own house strain of potato. According to the thread linked every seed in the pod would produce a slightly different genetic variation. I will have to plant them all.
             
            • Like Like x 1
              Mike77, Aug 15, 2018
              #7 Quote in Conversation
            • Mike77

              Mike77 Gardener

              Joined:
              Jun 23, 2017
              Messages:
              175
              Gender:
              Male
              Ratings:
              +172
              Here is a wee pic of some of the potato fruits. None of the other potatoes I planted this year or last produced any, just the purple majesty.
               

              Attached Files:

              Mike77, Aug 15, 2018
              #8 Quote in Conversation
            • pete

              pete Growing a bit of this and a bit of that....

              Joined:
              Jan 9, 2005
              Messages:
              52,598
              Gender:
              Male
              Occupation:
              Retired
              Location:
              Mid Kent
              Ratings:
              +98,765
              I seem to remember doing this many years ago when I was a keen youngster;):snorky:

              Think I ended up with a couple of very scabby potatoes, but it was a long time ago.
              Sowed in very early spring.

              Not quite the same thing but I've also tried stem cuttings, just ended up with one spud per plant.:biggrin:
               
              • Informative Informative x 1
                pete, Aug 15, 2018
                #9 Quote in Conversation
              • JWK

                JWK Gardener Staff Member

                Joined:
                Jun 3, 2008
                Messages:
                33,056
                Gender:
                Male
                Location:
                Surrey
                Ratings:
                +51,734
                You probably know this but those fruit are not yet ripe, you need to let them fully ripen before harvesting them for seed.
                 
                JWK, Aug 15, 2018
                #10 Quote in Conversation
              Loading...
              Similar Threads - Grow Potatoes true
              1. Black Orchid

                Has anybody tried to grow rose cuttings in potatoes?

                Black Orchid, Aug 28, 2020, in forum: Roses
                Replies:
                22
                Views:
                2,703
                Sunny Sue
                Sep 21, 2020
              2. tweacle

                Help needed with growing sweet potatoes

                tweacle, Nov 10, 2016, in forum: General Gardening Discussion
                Replies:
                4
                Views:
                853
                pete
                Nov 10, 2016
              3. Wardy

                Looking for okinawan sweet potatoes and how to grow them.

                Wardy, Apr 15, 2016, in forum: Edible Gardening
                Replies:
                4
                Views:
                4,985
                Wardy
                Apr 18, 2016
              4. Wardy

                What should I grow now in the same place after potatoes?

                Wardy, Jul 16, 2015, in forum: General Gardening Discussion
                Replies:
                11
                Views:
                1,051
                JWK
                Jul 19, 2015
              5. kazzawazza

                Potatoes grown in bags

                kazzawazza, May 18, 2015, in forum: Edible Gardening
                Replies:
                8
                Views:
                1,074
                Dave W
                May 20, 2015

              Share This Page

              1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
                By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.
                Accept Learn More...
                Dismiss Notice