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Ipomoea batatas - Camote

 

In 2015 six new cultivars were germinated from the first shipment of seed from the USA,some were able to produce flowers but no seed managed to form, this following three seasons were the same till that generation of cultivars died out because they had been cloned too many times.

2020 a second attempt was made where fresh seed was sent again from a US breeder and a small number of new cultivars started, but this time cuttings were shared with a gardener in the North Island who managed to grow a small amount of seed. This seed was gifted back and a second crop of 28 seeds was grown 2022-23 form 7 new cultivars.

The summer of 2023-24 twenty eight seeds produced and these were sown in the spring. 

The summer of 2024-25 was a cooler than normal season meaning no seed was able to be grown,so I'm now thinking its best if I look at for another keen experienced North Island gardener who would like to become part of this breeding program, if so contact me through this website 

 

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Ipomoea batatas - Camote

Ipomoea batatas - Camote

Details   Known in South America where is originates as Camote, it is also known here in NZ as as Kumara or Sweet Potato in North America. This widely grown tuber crop is normally grown each year from cuttings.

Camote grown from seed rather than a clone is globally rare. The government funded DSIR back in the 70's or 80's carried out a short trial but for some reason was stopped, this may have been the only Ipomoea batatas seed had grown till 2017 when Richard Paul was gifted some seed from a passionate home gardener/breeder in the US, he then set about starting a long term breeding program with the idea crossing it with a local Kumara.
Grower name   Richard Paul Watson
Price per packet   $4.50
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