[Peterjohn]

Hi new to veg growing, got my veg patch last year, planted out Kestral really pleased with them, have many potatoes that will be left over. Do you think it should be okay to use them for seed potatoes for this comming season, have read this can be done, is this common practice or should I result to buying new seed spuds, incase they have picked up some disease.( the spuds that we are using are fine no blemishes on them, some are starting to chit so thought I could use them.

Pete

[splodger]

i grew kestrel too - very good spud imho  

i have kept a few to chit - that's what was always done in the past - and if you do any more unusual varieties - like snowdrop  or something - it's not always easy to get fresh seed

disease is always a concern though  

[WG.]

I keep seed from one variety (which isn't available anywhere any more).  In general though, I'd advise using fresh seed each year.

[DD.]

As splodger agreed with me earlier, I'll agree with splodger.

It's a risk, but should make no difference to your quantity.

When Sarpo Mira were an astronomical price, I held back some for seed, still had a good crop. Now I can get them for £1 a kilo - doesn't seem worth running the risk.

[gobs]

As splodger agreed with me earlier, I'll agree with splodger.

It's a risk, but should make no difference to your quantity.

When Sarpo Mira were an astronomical price, I held back some for seed, still had a good crop. Now I can get the for £1 a kilo - doesn't seem worth running the risk.

Where do you get them for that price, please?

[DD.]

Local nursery. All seed spuds were £1 a kilo last year (80 varieties).  Maybe they made a mistake with the Sarpo! The Sarpo Saxona were the same price.

[richyrich7]

Local nursery. All seed spuds were £1 a kilo last year (80 varieties).  Maybe they made a mistake with the Sarpo! The Sarpo Saxona were the same price.

Is that Brookside DD ? if so see you there then  

[SkipRat]

Local nursery. All seed spuds were £1 a kilo last year (80 varieties).  Maybe they made a mistake with the Sarpo! The Sarpo Saxona were the same price.

I tried to get some Sarpo Saxona for this year Dave and was told that the crop failed and that there will not be any about. I dont know if this is true or not or if it was a ploy for me to buy Sarpo Mira, which havent failed  

[DD.]

Local nursery. All seed spuds were £1 a kilo last year (80 varieties).  Maybe they made a mistake with the Sarpo! The Sarpo Saxona were the same price.

Is that Brookside DD ? if so see you there then  

That's the one - as I say, don't know if they mispriced them last year, T & M are still expensive.

Phoned them Friday, said spuds would be in in about 2 weeks.

[DD.]

I meant Sarpo Axona of course. T & M still have them in the catalogue.

[Aunt Sally]

Aren't most seed potatoes produced in Scotland where the winters are so cold that diseases risks are greatly reduced  :?:

WG. should know the answer to this one.

[splodger]

As splodger agreed with me earlier, I'll agree with splodger.

steady now - we'll all be thinking you've turned into a mister nice guy if you carry on like that  
         

but it is reassuring to get a thumbs up from a fellow member - does that sound nearly rude  :roll:

[WG.]

Aren't most seed potatoes produced in Scotland where the winters are so cold that diseases risks are greatly reduced  :?:

WG. should know the answer to this one.

I wrote a learned thesis on this which was completely wrong :oops:  :oops: .   Aphids is the correct answer.

See http://www.chat.allotment-garden.org/viewtopic.php?p=36917#36917

[DD.]

As splodger agreed with me earlier, I'll agree with splodger.

steady now - we'll all be thinking you've turned into a mister nice guy if you carry on like that  
         

but it is reassuring to get a thumbs up from a fellow member - does that sound nearly rude  :roll:

I AM a nice guy  - free bean seed anyone?

Purple Climbing French Beans

Runner Beans

[richyrich7]

Just a thought I usually keep a few over for seed but not this year with the blight problems we all experienced, IMHO its better this year to start with fresh certified seed as per WG's post above .