Potato Seeds

What is true potato seed or TPS and why isn't it used more instead of the tubers to propagate?.
Potatoes grown from tubers are an exact clone of the parent plant and because of this virus levels build up within that clone. The virus is passed from one tuber to the next. Plants grown from TPS on the other hand become new cultivar and are virus free, virus are often not past on through the seed. These new cultivars will display different characteristics from the parent plant. Because of this diversity a wide range of colours, variable tuber shapes, tastes, size of tubers and a range of flower colours is the result. There are possibilities that some of these new clones could go on to produce increased tolerance levels to Psyllid which is a new potato pest insect to NZ. This could have great benefits for the average home gardener who doesn't want to control the pest through the use of chemicals and expensive nets.

Growing potatoes from seed is great fun to try your hand at.

https://www.cultivariable.com/the-absolute-beginners-guide-to-true-potato-seed-tps/

Richards mix- 129RW

Details In this mix of seed are varieties that mostly throw to the purple and purple/white fleshed, some white and red can be expected also. Seed can be sown in autumn then transfer the tiny seedlings to pots and grow through winter in a frost free area, In areas that get frosts even green houses can freeze inside. Springtime plant out and allow each of these new varieties to grow till their tops die down late in the season, then its a matter of digging up each plant and assessing which plant has produced the best yield and for desirable shape and colours. The first year tubers are not always the largest but instead its normally when they are replanted in the second season that they will produce far greater yield. It's worth remembering that new TPS cultivars are virus free. Red Rascal and Rua seed is the latest to be added to Richards potato gene pool

Botanical name Solanum tuberosum

Grower name Richard Paul Watson

Storage Info Seed stock refreshed yearly

Contains at least 100

Price per packet $4.50

Watch Order

Nev's TPS - 136NS

Details You won't have met many people who have propagated potatoes by any other than vegetative means; in other words from tubers from the previous crop. You may have noticed though, that some potato plants produce flowers. Still fewer of these plants go on to develop and mature small greenish fruits. They look tomato-like and contain a stiff "pulp" holding many small white seeds. These seeds can be encouraged to germinate and with some care will grow into small plants that are easily recognized as miniature potato plants. Even from a relatively early stage when they may only be 100mms tall, differences will be discernible between these individuals. They truly are individuals. They may not all prosper. They will each possess their own degree of disease resistance and vigour. As a propagator you will be rewarded, by those that flourish, with crops of distinctly unique potato tubers; diverse in both form, colour, flavour, texture, maturity and keeping qualities. This is a pursuit I have been involved in for at least 20 years. It is an exciting enterprise (if you are a potato Nerd!), and can result in the coming into being of very worthwhile, totally new, delicious cultivars that you can then continue into the future via the usual system of growing from tubers. But don't forget to keep seed from the best of them and continue the exploration of potatoes from true seed.