Good sign or bad sign, mini tubers at plant out of true seedlings

gggeek · May 12, 2013

I was able to get around to planting out my seedlings started from true potato seed today. I was a bit surprised to see so many little tubers already started. However, I am not sure if this is a good or bad sign at plant out or not?

wmontanez · May 12, 2013

I had the same situation before. Tom Wagner responded if I remember correctly that it was possible indication of earlier tuber setting , a short variety. Also it could be too long time in the small pot but some were just fine, so I liked the 1st possibility. I had too many seedlings back then to track that info so I did not. If you give them plenty of space now and good care those tubers should continue to grow and bulk up. Good luck!

wingnut · May 13, 2013

I try to plant out early to keep that from happening. I have also seen it with pull starts, which I now plant directly to the field from the trays.

gggeek · May 14, 2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by wmontanez

I had the same situation before. Tom Wagner responded if I remember correctly that it was possible indication of earlier tuber setting , a short variety. Also it could be too long time in the small pot but some were just fine, so I liked the 1st possibility. I had too many seedlings back then to track that info so I did not. If you give them plenty of space now and good care those tubers should continue to grow and bulk up. Good luck!

Well there were 10-15 seeds per container. Tom recommended I just plant all the seedlings together in a single spot, so that is what I did. Only a couple of seedlings had early tubers in the pots. Will keep an eye on that batch and see what comes of it.

**Tom Wagner** · May 15, 2013

When I transplant TPS seedlings to the field .....most of the time I do not break off any of the tubers developing.....but I have found that the plants continue to grow more vigorously if I do. And...many times I find the little tubers don't always grow more as the plant grows it puts more effort into newer stolons and the resulting tubers are bigger than the original tiny ones you see when transplanting.

Wendy has it done pretty well, I must admit.

When and during the times I have multiple seedlings in the inserts and don't take the time to separate them.....they seem to do alright in the field. Most of the stronger seedlings dominate and that is kinda what I am looking for anyway. It may be that I am encouraging the stronger seedlings that tend to be later maturing....but Oh, well! It is fun to dig up those hills and find upwards of a dozen colors, shades, shapes, etc., all tumble about.

wmontanez · May 16, 2013

Thanks Tom for your kind words.

I separated a lot of TPS seedlings and is a long tiring experience. Clump planting sounds really good after that experience!

May 12, 2013	#1
gggeek Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: SC Posts: 64	Good sign or bad sign, mini tubers at plant out of true seedlings I was able to get around to planting out my seedlings started from true potato seed today. I was a bit surprised to see so many little tubers already started. However, I am not sure if this is a good or bad sign at plant out or not? __________________ http://myfolia.com/gardener/thisweekinmygarden/

May 12, 2013	#2
wmontanez Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: MA Posts: 776	I had the same situation before. Tom Wagner responded if I remember correctly that it was possible indication of earlier tuber setting , a short variety. Also it could be too long time in the small pot but some were just fine, so I liked the 1st possibility. I had too many seedlings back then to track that info so I did not. If you give them plenty of space now and good care those tubers should continue to grow and bulk up. Good luck! __________________ Wendy

May 16, 2013	#6
wmontanez Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: MA Posts: 776	Thanks Tom for your kind words. I separated a lot of TPS seedlings and is a long tiring experience. Clump planting sounds really good after that experience! __________________ Wendy

May 13, 2013	#3
wingnut Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2011 Location: bald hill area thurston county washington Posts: 312	I try to plant out early to keep that from happening. I have also seen it with pull starts, which I now plant directly to the field from the trays.

May 15, 2013	#5
Tom Wagner Crosstalk™ Forum Moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: 8407 18th Ave West 7-203 Everett, Washington 98204 Posts: 1,157	When I transplant TPS seedlings to the field .....most of the time I do not break off any of the tubers developing.....but I have found that the plants continue to grow more vigorously if I do. And...many times I find the little tubers don't always grow more as the plant grows it puts more effort into newer stolons and the resulting tubers are bigger than the original tiny ones you see when transplanting. Wendy has it done pretty well, I must admit. When and during the times I have multiple seedlings in the inserts and don't take the time to separate them.....they seem to do alright in the field. Most of the stronger seedlings dominate and that is kinda what I am looking for anyway. It may be that I am encouraging the stronger seedlings that tend to be later maturing....but Oh, well! It is fun to dig up those hills and find upwards of a dozen colors, shades, shapes, etc., all tumble about.