BP1 Seed Potatoes - 7 Tubers - SPA

The potato's botanical name is Solanum tuberosum and it is a tuber. There are more than 900 species and it originated in the Andes mountains. The potato is a good source of vitamins, minerals and fibre, they are also used to make vodka. They were first cultivated 5000 years ago and have reached their success because they can tolerate harsher conditions than most other plants.

Important to know about growing potatoes.

Potatoes can tolerate a wide variety of soils provided they have organic matter. After planting the potatoes, you should mound up the soil over the different tubers.

Potatoes should be watered regularly. They grow in five different stages: sprouting; spreading leaves; tuber formation/flowering cannot occur if temperature is above 27°C; bulking up of tubers and maturation.

Age, exposure to light, and damage to the potato can increase the presence of glycoalkaloids which is poisonous to humans and animals. If the potato tuber is green, do not eat it. Potatoes should be stored in a dry well-ventilated and cool place. The lowest temperature a plant can tolerate is 0°C.

Important to look out for.

Growing potatoes does have some challenges :

Potatoes can be susceptible to Nematodes, slugs and blight.

Potatoes have a low frost tolerance.

Potatoes should be planted in semi shade

Propagation

A potato can be cut into different sections which can be replanted for growth, provided that each section contains at least one growth point or 'eye'.

Plant - June - October

Flowering - September to November

Growth Period - 90 - 110 days

Reproduction - Depending on growing conditions you can expect 8-10 potatoes per potato planted.

These are commercial grade potatoes and are an open variety which means that there are no restrictions from growing more potatoes from the one you harvest. We have specifically chosen commercial varieties as opposed to heirloom varieties as they perform better, are more uniform and have a better store-ability.

Interesting fact - A potato can be cut into different sections which can be replanted for growth, provided that each section contains at least one growth point or 'eye'.

About the variety -

• Average Tuber Count per Bag: 7
  
• Preferred Planting Temperature: Not lower than 4ºC and stored away from any air inlets.
• Best used as a table potato.