[Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page

[Dick]

When a kid in Nebraska years ago, we would plant at least 20 acres from red 
potatoes cut in fourths. Each "quarter" must have at least one eye and the 
cut face had absolutely to scab-over thoroughly before planting to avoid 
rot. Some present day potatoes are treated, I understand, to avoid sprouting 
while stored at Safeway or under the kitchen sink. They won't sprout in the 
ground either at least until the "treatment" wears off.

It would be better to buy seed potatoes-whole small potatoes-from a seed 
catalogue. Potatoes are fun to grow.

Theoretically, the yield should be the same. Irrigation is critical. Wet 
soil not good. Water should be where roots can reach it but soil should be 
well aerated and loose. Planting in hills works well with potatoes.

Dick Gross, Master Gardener Volunteer
U of A Maricopa County
Cooperative Extension


----- Original Message ----- 
From: <LDLMSL at cox.net>
To: <arid_gardener at Ag.arizona.edu>
Sent: Saturday, February 09, 2008 9:30 AM
Subject: [Arid_gardener] Question from Home-Hort WWW page


> Mary Sue Langford
> 85254
> LDLMSL at COX.NET
>
> Do we need "starter" potatoes that we would need to buy from a nursery or 
> catalogue to grow white baking type potatoes (NOT sweet potatoes)?
>
> Last year, we planted the eye portion of potatoes we had purchased at the 
> grocery store and got many potatoes BUT they were all VERY small.  We 
> wondered if we need special potatoes, rather than ones we buy at the 
> grocery stores.
>
> Thank you so much for your help!!!
> Mary Sue Langford
>
>
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