[Moto Slug]

Hi all,
 This will probably be a silly question to ask those of you who are keen gardeners, but not having grown anything but weeds before I need help (so say a lot of people)

Here goes,  I want to grow some potatoes this year, and as we have some potatoes leftover that  I bought from the veg shop for our Sundays roasts, my question is, can I plant these instead of buying seed potatoes.

Sorry if its a silly question, but I dont know the answer myself.

[Mark-S]

They MAY grow ok - its depends if they have been treated with a sprout suppressant.....however seed potatoes are grown in  virus free environments. normal ware potatoes are not so its a gamble i wouldn't take.

[Trillium]

Not silly at all. You could plant any sprouting potatoes from the shop, but the UK has a lot of trouble with blight in potatoes and tomatoes, so most people prefer to use certified seed potatoes (small ones specially bred for planting) that are free of the diseases. That said, blight can blow in on the wind and rain, so even seed potatoes are no guarantee you wouldn't possibly have these problems. Personally, I'd give it a go and see how you do.

[digalotty]

my father in law grows spuds from the shop every year , but when you can buy a pack of 5 or even 8 for as little as a £1 why bother the risk

[Mark-S]

Not silly at all. You could plant any sprouting potatoes from the shop, but the UK has a lot of trouble with blight in potatoes and tomatoes, so most people prefer to use certified seed potatoes (small ones specially bred for planting) that are free of the diseases. That said, blight can blow in on the wind and rain, so even seed potatoes are no guarantee you wouldn't possibly have these problems. Personally, I'd give it a go and see how you do.

Sorry Trillium but seed potatoes are not grown to prevent blight, its the virus diseases that are controlled. 

Without being too technical blight is controlled by good soil hygiene, removing the green bridge, fungicides - and the luck of god!!!  Blight becomes prevalent after weather conditions such as a Smith Period.

Virus are spread by the soil or by aphids - seed potatoes are traditionally gown in areas too remote or exposed for aphids to live in high numbers, or in areas where insecticides are used to control the aphids.

Other soil borne pests and diseases such as Brown Rot, Potato Cyst nematode, Dickeya, or other conditions are controlled by Seed certification.

In short - ALWAYS use certified seed.

[Moto Slug]

Thank you all very much for your help, its seed potatoes for me now.

Thanks again,

Moto Slug