True Potato Seeds

Hello Everyone!!

I made a huge mistake last year! One that I am hoping you can rectify for me if at all possible?!!

I moved house in August last year & had to harvest alot of my vegetables early. This included my maincrop potatoes 'Picasso'. This wasn't a problem & I ended up with a lovely supply of potates which I am still eating now. BUT............ during potato harvest, I found some little green tomato type things. I was confused at first because they were on the floor & I thought that birds may have dropped them. Then further on through my harvest, I came to realise that they were infact attached to my potato crop!! Because I was in a rush due to moving, I just put them in the compost along with the potato waste & forgot all about it.

NOW i realise that these little green tomato type pods were infact potato seeds. Didn't have any idea until I stumbled on a web page explaining this. I am so upset, because I would really like to grow my own potato from seed, but I have thrown mine in the compost of my old house!!

I just wondered if at all possible that someone may have some spare 'true potato seeds'??

I will pay for postage if this is at all possible.:ntwrth:

 

Hello BigBird, potatoes are not usually grown from those potato seed things you put on the compost heap. Do you know they are highly poisonous and must never be eaten.
You can grow potatoes from any leftover potatoes you have from your crop but there is a risk of infection of the crop - but I think the risk is small.
Most people buy certified disease free seed potatoes from a supplier. Most of them come from Scotland.
I hope you get a great crop again this year.

 

Hello Alice:flwsml:

Thank you for your reply.

Yes you are correct in saying that they are poisonous, infact the potato haulm's are poisonous too.

All seed potatoes that we buy from garden centre's etc come from 'True Potato Seeds' (the green tomato type pods I found on my crop last year). This is how they breed new type's of potatoes & reduce disease.

Buy getting our own 'True Potato Seeds(TPS)', we can grow our own breeds or use the mini tubers that are produced from the TPS's for the next seasons crop.

This is why I am unhappy about throwing the TPS's in my old compost pile, as I really want to try this method.

Can anyone help PLEASE!!!!!!!:ntwrth:

 

I remember T&M selling potato seed a good few years ago, not sure it was a success though.

I've grown plants from the seed in the past just for fun, I didn't find it worth while really, it was just experimental.

The seed potatoes that you buy in garden centres did originally come from seed grown plants, that is true, but once the variety is established its propagated vegetivley.

Cuttings also work, and are as far as I'm concerned a slightly more viable idea, although the tried and tested method is the best if you actually want something to eat.

 

Thank you all for your advice.:gnthb:

I did actually want to try to produce my own breed potatoes. I know it can take years, but it was an experiment I would of liked to try.
But I think I will stick to the usual method, but if I get some seed pods on my Picasso potatoes this year, I might just give it a try!!:wink:

 

I think you would probably need polytunnels and several acres to make it worthwhile. The vast majority of the plants would be useless and a waste of time. It is probably only the one plant in several thousand that is worthwhile.
What you bought from the garden centre as Picasso were seed potatoes - small tubers that have been produced vegetatively. You are better off growing the best that the plant breeders can produce. I have ordered one called Setanta which is supposed to be the most blight resistant variety. Having had two seasons where growth has been prematurely ended by foliage blight I am going to give this one a whirl.

 

I once planted the seeds from the green pod.I ,put them all together in a five inch pot the next year I had dozens of tiny spuds in every potato shape and colour,planted them on but lost patience,they were going to take too long.

 

Hi Big Bird, I don't know if you still want them but I have some seeds taken from Estima second earlies this year if you'd like some, I can post them to you

Amanda

 

Well I'm not sure, but I think you look more like Mr potato head than big bird

Hi, BB, i'd like to draw your attention to this old thread

http://www.gardenerscorner.co.uk/forum/potato-question-t28792.html

Go steady there when sampling. A good experiment to do, but just make sure you've got plenty of loo roll & andrews liver salts in stock:tnp::hol:

 

Thank you Amanda for your offer, but after reading the information that Ziggy has provided, I have changed my mind. But very kind of you. Thanks again!! :flwsml:

I used to have a picture of Bigbird for my profile picture, but I thought I would have a change......but see your point!! May have to change it back again. Thanks Ziggy!! :thku:

 

No worries Mr Potatobigbirdhead :wink:,

Go on, give it a try, activated carbon tablets are available from most chemists & they absorb loads of toxins. We'd all look forward to the results of the experiment s00k:shk::tnp::D