Hey hey!

Some interesting info here ... I will keep it in mind - thanks again for
your replies - I am only new to growing for the dinner table (or growing at
all, for that matter), so I just love all the info and opinions I can get!


I am thinking of getting some Desiree certified organic tubers ... anyone
had any luck or got any info on these?

Cheers,
Mick




"Andrew" wrote in message
om...
len gardener wrote in message
. ..
g'day mick,

basically yes mate, but there could be some variables ie.,. the spuds
that conventional farmers grow could be a hybrid which may not produce
as well from a seed potato like that, then the general advice is that
we should buy certified disease free seed potatoes so we don't infest
our soil should we end up with diseased potatoes.

ther are lots however that grow from budding potatoes or shop potatoes
if you bought from an organic shop i think you'll do ok.

no dumb questions only silly answers huh lol, just keep asking them
the questions that is.

len

snipped

Virused plants can be a problem when growing store bought potatoes.
These are often transmitted by sucking insects so buying from organic
stores may actually increase your risk of viruses and other diseases.
The problem is that store bought potatoes are grown for eating.
Therefore, commercial growers don't spend a lot of time ensuring that
the current seasons crop isn't infected by virus. Seed potatoes have
basically been grown in a pest free environment to ensure that the
resultant spuds are disease free. You can weed out any virused
potatoes by allowing them the shoot in a warm bright place. Virused
plants tend to look deformed and spindley. If you're going to resow
potatoes from last year's crop it's probably a good idea to do this
anyway. Depending on how much they've grown, if your spuds have
already sprouted in the cupboard it might be hard to tell whether
deformed spindley growth is due to virus or lack of light.
Andrew