Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Growing => Grow Your Own => Potato & Tomato Popularity Polls => Topic started by: arugula on October 09, 2010, 18:55

Title: Maincrop potato choice 2010 - RESULTS!
Post by: arugula on October 09, 2010, 18:55
Based on your growing results and combining the factors of flavour, yield and disease resistance, what in your opinion is the best maincrop potato to grow - choose up to 3 varieties and help everyone choose what to grow next year.

:)
Title: Re: Maincrop potato choice - vote for your favourite!
Post by: DD. on October 09, 2010, 20:35
As I've said to Argyllie in a PM, (we've colluded on this), this will be a guide, what works for one is not guaranteed to work in someone else's soil.

Bear in mind that one person may have hit on the best spud in the world. That spud will still only get one vote.
Title: Re: Maincrop potato choice - vote for your favourite!
Post by: arugula on October 09, 2010, 20:49
All input from experience is useful. :)
Title: Re: Maincrop potato choice - vote for your favourite!
Post by: TheSpartacat on October 09, 2010, 23:53
It's tricky to really cast an objective vote when you've only grown a handful of the varieties isn't it?
Title: Re: Maincrop potato choice - vote for your favourite!
Post by: arugula on October 10, 2010, 08:08
It is. I grew two maincrops this year, Majestic and Maris Piper, and was pretty disappointed with both. The results here just might steer me towards trying something new next year.

:)
Title: Re: Maincrop potato choice - vote for your favourite!
Post by: veggieman on October 10, 2010, 08:47
I would add a variety called Harmony to the list. 
It is an "early" maincrop white variety but has done very well for me this year in quite poor soil. In fact, I won second prixe with 6 of the tubers in the island's main agricultural show this year. The seed potatoes, when they arrived, were quite small so I wasn't expecting the crop to produce large spuds but I was pleasantly surprised with many of them big enough to be baking potatoes.
Title: Re: Maincrop potato choice - vote for your favourite!
Post by: DD. on October 10, 2010, 09:01
The list has been extracted from the varieties people posted on the "Potato Results 2010" thread, so if you did not post about them on there, they won't be on the voting list.

That is why argyllie included "Other - let us know" at the bottom of the list.
Title: Re: Maincrop potato choice - vote for your favourite!
Post by: birmancats on October 10, 2010, 09:27
Kestrel has always turned out the best for mains for me.
Title: Re: Maincrop potato choice - vote for your favourite!
Post by: DD. on October 10, 2010, 09:30
Kestrel is a second early.
Title: Re: Maincrop potato choice - vote for your favourite!
Post by: digalotty on October 10, 2010, 10:29
i haven't grown many maincrop but i did have a good success with king teddys so that is my choice . im growing them again next year and also  charlotte for my f/e or are they a s/e
Title: Re: Maincrop potato choice - vote for your favourite!
Post by: DD. on October 10, 2010, 10:42
Second!
Title: Re: Maincrop potato choice - vote for your favourite!
Post by: digalotty on October 10, 2010, 11:27
thanks DD for loaning me a drip from your fountain of knowledge :D :lol: :lol:
Title: Re: Maincrop potato choice - vote for your favourite!
Post by: DD. on October 10, 2010, 11:30
Thta's OK, you can keep it, I don't need it back, Plenty of drips here.
Title: Re: Maincrop potato choice - vote for your favourite!
Post by: Goldfinger on October 10, 2010, 11:49

Excellent poll/vote thingy....

I'll be watching this with interest to help me decide on what to plant next year...

Title: Re: Maincrop potato choice - vote for your favourite!
Post by: arugula on October 10, 2010, 13:10
Thanks Goldfinger! :) I hope it proves useful to you and others, I'm hoping it might prove useful to me too.

:)
Title: Re: Maincrop potato choice - vote for your favourite!
Post by: veggieman on October 10, 2010, 17:41
The list has been extracted from the varieties people posted on the "Potato Results 2010" thread, so if you did not post about them on there, they won't be on the voting list.

That is why argyllie included "Other - let us know" at the bottom of the list.

I did !
Title: Re: Maincrop potato choice - vote for your favourite!
Post by: DD. on October 10, 2010, 17:46
A forum search doesn't find it, just this result in the Green Potato thread...

http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=64843.msg741673#msg741673
Title: Re: Maincrop potato choice - vote for your favourite!
Post by: Nige2Plots on October 10, 2010, 17:58
Desiree; Two full rows with very little Slug damage.
Maris Piper; Two full rows with considerable slug damage.
Title: Re: Maincrop potato choice - vote for your favourite!
Post by: chriscross1966 on October 12, 2010, 02:09
PFA for taste every time, and had a good yield this year (lots better than last year) cos I left them really late. Setanta has been a revelation, basically a disease resistant Rooster, and the other fave this year has been Pentland Dell, nice big spuds and less scab problems than Valor..... Still haven't harvested my COngo's..... those things aren't kidding about being a late main......
Title: Re: Maincrop potato choice - vote for your favourite!
Post by: tontom on October 14, 2010, 20:16
second year of growing this abundant , very versatile spud , no damage and will grow again next year , Desiree ;)
Title: Re: Maincrop potato choice - vote for your favourite!
Post by: Aunt Sally on October 14, 2010, 22:05
We always get a really good crop from Desire.

We also planted Cara which were brilliant.

These were lifted from a row of 16 plants.

(http://i243.photobucket.com/albums/ff221/Aunt__Sally/Cara.jpg)
Title: Re: Maincrop potato choice - vote for your favourite!
Post by: Jamie Butterworth on October 14, 2010, 22:13
They look brill aunt sally, im dead jealous, was there not much slug damage as nearly all of mine got eaten by slugs or something :( ::)
Title: Re: Maincrop potato choice - vote for your favourite!
Post by: Aunt Sally on October 14, 2010, 22:18
There was no slug damage - the summer was so dry and hot we've hardly seen a slug.  There was some damaged by wire worm and a few chewed away by mice. ::)
Title: Re: Maincrop potato choice - vote for your favourite!
Post by: fatbelly on October 15, 2010, 12:19
Early days with some more votes to come in but Desiree is the leader.
Doesn't surprise me because it is an excellent spud that makes great mash and doesn't suffer as much as others from slug damage.
Title: Re: Maincrop potato choice - vote for your favourite!
Post by: DD. on October 15, 2010, 16:17
It's in the three I voted for, but if asked to put them in order, it wouldn't be the top one.

That remains "Ambo" which is a cross between Auntie's Cara and your Desiree. How could you go wrong????  :lol:
Title: Re: Maincrop potato choice - vote for your favourite!
Post by: compostqueen on October 15, 2010, 16:22
Not heard of that one DD but like you say it should be unbeatable. I think Picasso is a spin off from Cara
Title: Re: Maincrop potato choice - vote for your favourite!
Post by: arugula on October 15, 2010, 16:25
Perhaps elsewhere too, but Ambo is in the Garden Organic catalogue and its on my long list so far....

:)
Title: Re: Maincrop potato choice - vote for your favourite!
Post by: DD. on October 15, 2010, 16:28
Your're right, it's a Cara x Ausonia, whatever one of those is!  :lol:

This is the third year I've grown Ambo, it's one of those where I fell for the blurb in the nursery, but I wasn't disappointed.

It by far out performed the Picasso I grew the same year as I first tried them.

Last year I couldn't get the seed, so I grew my own. Iain said it was OK for one year! :lol:
Title: Re: Maincrop potato choice - vote for your favourite!
Post by: mumofstig on October 15, 2010, 16:29
I'm going to try Ambo next year, after all the pics and recommendations it's had.

I had quite a good yield for my Desiree, but they were all on the small size....precious few big enough for jackets :( and Garden Organic is the only place I've found it............so I better get my order in quick  :lol:
Title: Re: Maincrop potato choice - vote for your favourite!
Post by: DD. on October 15, 2010, 16:32
My Desiree were exactly the same, whereas the Ambo are mostly coming up as bakers. I got them from our local nursery at the same price as Wilko's seed, although they didn't have them in last year.
Title: Re: Maincrop potato choice - vote for your favourite!
Post by: fatbelly on October 15, 2010, 16:33
Whats Ambo like for slug resistance? And all important for Mrs FB what is Ambo like for mash (she loves her mash)
Title: Re: Maincrop potato choice - vote for your favourite!
Post by: DD. on October 15, 2010, 16:37
I've scarce got a hole in them. The Roosters in the next row are riddled!

Nice flourly spud, which has "good all round cooking qualities" according to the British Spud Council.

They say it makes good chips, but Mrs Digger won't let me have them!
Title: Re: Maincrop potato choice - vote for your favourite!
Post by: compostqueen on October 15, 2010, 16:53
I don't eat chips now DD but I do eat wedges, big fat ones made from either Desiree or Edzell Blue.  I put the tray into a very hot oven and then use a few squirts of spray oil (Frylite) once the tray's heated up and add my potato wedges and cook for about half an hour or so, turning half way through cooking.  Freshly twisted salt and black pepper on and whatever else takes your fancy  :)

Bloomin gorgeous
Title: Re: Maincrop potato choice - vote for your favourite!
Post by: granjan on October 16, 2010, 11:13
I just love Picasso.  I've had no slug or eelworm damage at all and they are great bakers.  Some were so big that my husband and I share them  :)
Title: Re: Maincrop potato choice - vote for your favourite!
Post by: boosh on October 17, 2010, 20:03
I voted for Desiree, A good all round spud hardley any slug damaged  :)
and Rooster, nice taste.  :)
Did try the Mayan variteys this year but due to Fox And Rat's cannot really comment on them because of the damage caused.  :(
Title: Re: Maincrop potato choice - vote for your favourite!
Post by: JamPan on October 17, 2010, 21:01
I just love Picasso.  I've had no slug or eelworm damage at all and they are great bakers.  Some were so big that my husband and I share them  :)

Another vote for Picasso here.  I sort of inherited them from another allotment holder, they went in late and I still got a bumper crop.  I did have some wireworm damage, but my allotment had reverted to grass for several years before I took it on so that's to be expected.  I cut round the damage and made and froze tons of mash, which is divine!!  They also do fabulous roasties and bakers.
Title: Re: Maincrop potato choice - vote for your favourite!
Post by: lightyears on October 22, 2010, 12:29
we done cara this year, approx 50kilo's from 5 lines. Massive to, some bigger than my dogs head(labarador head too)
Title: Re: Maincrop potato choice - vote for your favourite!
Post by: spot1986 on October 23, 2010, 20:18
Over the last few years I have grown a dozen of those varieties mentioned and Desiree, Picasso and Rooster top the list. If I had to choose one it would be Desiree, a top class all-rounder with taste. It is susceptible to scab but it is only cosmetic. I may try Ambo after reading comments here. Iain has them I believe.
Title: Re: Maincrop potato choice - vote for your favourite!
Post by: fatbelly on October 28, 2010, 22:29
The three topics on spuds recommendations have been excellent and informative.
Thanks to the voting I have just ordered from our Lottie shop......

First Earlie's Lady Christl 2kg  Red Duke of York 2kg
Second Earlie's Charlotte 2kg Marfona 1kg (I know Marfona didn't get any votes but I'm a rebel)
Maincrop Desiree 5kg Cara 1kg

Thanks to the people who set the post's up and all that posted.
Title: Re: Maincrop potato choice - vote for your favourite!
Post by: arugula on October 29, 2010, 08:11
Glad its been helpful to you fb! :) Now, I have to make my choices in the next couple of weeks...
Title: Re: Maincrop potato choice - vote for your favourite!
Post by: fatbelly on October 29, 2010, 09:26
Glad its been helpful to you fb! :)

Would it be possible to have one for Onion sets, not as many varieties to choose from I know but it would still be of use to posters particularly people who are new or relatively new to growing your own.
Title: Re: Maincrop potato choice - vote for your favourite!
Post by: arugula on October 29, 2010, 10:45
Not so sure off the top of my head... I collated the varieties for these polls from people's responses put into the 2010 potato thread.

:)
Title: Re: Maincrop potato choice - vote for your favourite!
Post by: morverngirl on November 01, 2010, 19:35
I'm afraid I voted on taste as i'm just starting out. as an ex Argyll girl I love my Golden Wonders but they don't grow well on my alkaline Northampton soil, i just dream of a lovely dry GW with lashings of butter.
Title: Re: Maincrop potato choice - vote for your favourite!
Post by: arugula on November 01, 2010, 19:55
All the information we can gather is useful morverngirl. Thanks for your vote and reply! :)
Title: Re: Maincrop potato choice - vote for your favourite!
Post by: Pompey Spud on November 03, 2010, 08:57
Cara for me.

In my 3 seasons so far they've always produced a very good crop.

Great bakers.
Title: Re: Maincrop potato choice - vote for your favourite!
Post by: Jamie Butterworth on November 03, 2010, 16:50
Desiree seem to be running away with it now :D :D :D

Thanks for doing this argyllie, i know what im ordering next year :tongue2: :D :D
Title: Re: Maincrop potato choice 2010 - vote for your favourite!
Post by: arugula on November 03, 2010, 17:06
Glad its helpful Jamie! :D
Title: Re: Maincrop potato choice 2010 - vote for your favourite!
Post by: arugula on November 12, 2010, 15:31
Thanks to all who have taken part. :) We'll close the voting tomorrow as you should all have harvested by now (apart from Christmas tatties).

:)
Title: Re: Maincrop potato choice 2010 - RESULTS!
Post by: arugula on November 13, 2010, 11:07
Desiree wins with King Edward leading a small following group. :D
Title: Re: Maincrop potato choice 2010 - RESULTS!
Post by: Iain@JBA on November 14, 2010, 10:49
The old ones are still the best then :)
Title: Re: Maincrop potato choice 2010 - RESULTS!
Post by: Aunt Sally on November 14, 2010, 11:06
That's what I keep telling Worzel ;)

I see Cara came third.  I have to say my Cara crop was wonderful. 
Title: Re: Maincrop potato choice 2010 - RESULTS!
Post by: Jamie Butterworth on February 01, 2011, 08:06
Will be ordering some desiree then this year :)
Title: Re: Maincrop potato choice 2010 - RESULTS!
Post by: huwnick on February 03, 2011, 16:45
 :unsure:We are going to try roosters this year we like to shop bourght ones so we will give them a try.  We tried Cara last year not good but no on the site had much success with spuds
Title: Re: Maincrop potato choice 2010 - RESULTS!
Post by: TheSpartacat on February 03, 2011, 18:43
Would anyone object if I put together a new poll on "what potatoes are you growing this year?"
I found these polls really handy last year to compare how varieties had done for other people, but also hearing about varieties i'd never heard of before (Ambo!)

Thought it might help people still deciding which ones to go for... and I'm also curious to know if the poll last year has any bearing on what people are doing this year? Or are there any new tips that might come from recent site members?

Might be nice too, knowing if anyone else is growing the same types as you this year...
Title: Re: Maincrop potato choice 2010 - RESULTS!
Post by: arugula on February 03, 2011, 18:57
No objection Spartacat. Thinking about what (it sounds as though) you are trying to find out though, a thread might be better to start with. :)
Title: Re: Maincrop potato choice 2010 - RESULTS!
Post by: TheSpartacat on February 03, 2011, 19:29
No objection Spartacat. Thinking about what (it sounds as though) you are trying to find out though, a thread might be better to start with. :)
I was thinking a thread first, but then realised it would take a lot of "tallying" through pages to compare numbers to get an idea how people were actually voting with their wallets when buying seed... rather than an instant view of that with a poll...If the poll part doesn't work... it'll still have the thread too.. nothing to lose.

I was going to put together a list from the potato threads from last year, plus some others mentioned later in the year in the Potato Results 2010 thread, and include an "other" so people can mention any new ones they're trying out.

Title: Re: Maincrop potato choice 2010 - RESULTS!
Post by: arugula on February 04, 2011, 06:26
Right, that makes sense. You are correct, there was a lot of trawling through to collate number for the polls. Just one other thought, how will we know if last years' polls have had any bearing on people's choices for this year, or if they just chose the same varieties every year anyway.

:)
Title: Re: Maincrop potato choice 2010 - RESULTS!
Post by: mumofstig on February 04, 2011, 21:27
I'm going to lock last years topic now, if you really feel you need to add something then ask a mod to re-open it   ;)