are Charlottes first or second early?

Noah'strolly · « **on:** January 06, 2009, 23:24 »

I drew up a list of my favourite spuds from the T&m, or was it suttons web site then went to the garden centre. T&M were selling Charlottes as first earlies but my local garden centre has labeled then second early and one of the internet second earlies was labeled main crop - confused! can you get two types of charlotte or is it just differnt interpretations?

paintedlady · « **Reply #1 on:** January 07, 2009, 05:18 »

I'll just add to the confusion - I thought they were "salad" potatoes

http://www.britishpotatoes.co.uk/charlotte/

vegikev · « **Reply #2 on:** January 07, 2009, 05:37 »

Quote from: "paintedlady"

I'll just add to the confusion - I thought they were "salad" potatoes

. thats what i thought too

DD. · « **Reply #3 on:** January 07, 2009, 07:55 »

The term "salad" is more to do with their culinary suitability, rather than their maturity category.

The British Potato Council have them down as "Second Early".

Anyone care to argue with them?

Charlotte

FRUITFULL · « **Reply #4 on:** January 07, 2009, 08:06 »

Salad or not they are lovely.Last year we planted them and we had a great crop in 12 weeks.I thought they were 1st earlys but then i get alot of things wrong and i dont argue with no one

chimaera · « **Reply #5 on:** January 07, 2009, 10:34 »

Grew Charlotte and a couple of other varieties last year, but as I only got the plot late (late April) they went in late and I harvested them at the same time as maincrop; they were fine and the least slug/wireworm damaged. This year I think I will not bother with other varieties at all; Charlotte were the best boiled, roast and (particularly) mashed of those I tried (I don't like baked and don't own a chip fryer).

BTW some that I harvested were kept a bit warm and have started chitting (in the dark), I am not sure whether to eat them anyway or try replanting them (I know they may have viruses, but it is only for one generation).

Charlie

lucywil · « **Reply #6 on:** January 07, 2009, 13:39 »

i read somewhere once that a potatoes a potatoes, it only becomes a maincrop or early depending on when you plant it and when you dig it up. how true this is i dont know but it makes you think

DD. · « **Reply #7 on:** January 07, 2009, 14:00 »

Maincrop take generally take longer to mature and have better storing properties.

If a spud's a spud, the BPC have wasted a lot of effort in classifying them.

Iain@JBA · « **Reply #8 on:** January 07, 2009, 15:56 »

Charlotte is 100% second early.
I grow lots of them and they are one of the best second earlies.

Noah'strolly · « **Reply #9 on:** January 07, 2009, 18:06 »

OK so I'll call those my second earlies and have rocket as my firsts and the main crop Romano (suposed to be slug and blight resistant.)
Thanks

DD. · « **Reply #10 on:** January 07, 2009, 18:20 »

Sarpo Mira take some beating for blight resistance, quoted by Dundry Nurseries as "the ultimate blight resister". I've found them to be slug resistant as well due to their thick skins. (Make real crunchy "jackets!").

http://www.dundrynurseries.co.uk/detail.asp?id=241

Val H · « **Reply #11 on:** January 07, 2009, 18:46 »

Sarpo Mira also stores well. We've at least 4 sacks left.

Sadgit · « **Reply #12 on:** January 08, 2009, 10:01 »

Quote from: "Val H"

Sarpo Mira also stores well. We've at least 4 sacks left.

Isn't she a Russian tennis player?

DD. · « **Reply #13 on:** January 08, 2009, 12:54 »

Hungarian, actually.

Stupid boy, Pike.

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