[barney rubble]

I've not unearthed what's down below yet, but have just noticed some of these "tomatoes" appearing on the lower branched of my spuds. I think somebody said you could plant them for more spuds, but when do you actually harvest them (e.g. now, when they reach a certain size, when you dig up the rest of the plant etc), and do you then store them like seed potatoes until next year?

[DD.]

I've never grown from true seed myself, but if you open one of these, you'll find a lot of tiny seeds inside, so you'll need to dry this fruit off and extract the them.

I would think the longer on the plant, the better, then dry off & crack open. Store in usual cool dry place.

[richyrich7]

Just a warning you probably already know but DO NOT EAT THEM they are toxic  :blink:

[DD.]

NOW HE TELLS ME!!

How do you think I found there were seed inside!

[richyrich7]

 

[Aunt Sally]

Does any one ever do it Dave.  Is it worth the bother ?  

Here's a bit about doing it:

http://www.growseed.org/potato-breeding.html

[DD.]

Personally I couldn't be bothered!

Don't see the point in going to all that effort to get a lesser crop.

I suppose I could come up with a new variety & name it after myself though!

[barney rubble]

Thanks everyone - I'm not one to waste much (every knocked off goose or currant branch gets potted etc.) so if there's a possibility , and a challenge there, I'm up for it. I'll keep you posted if anything big happens!

[Howard]

Thanks everyone - I'm not one to waste much (every knocked off goose or currant branch gets potted etc.)

Mmmmmm... potted goose... 

[barney rubble]

 

[azubah]

I grew potatoes from my own seed one year. The plants were very small and I got loads of tiny potatoes. Most were too small to bother cooking, but it was very interesting.
If you just want to experiment for fun then have a go. Save the 'tomatoes' when you dig up the plant or when they drop off and leave them to dry just the same as you would for any seeds you collect. Split open the pods in spring and sow. I did not get around to saving any of the potatoes to plant for the next year. enjoy.

[barney rubble]

I grew potatoes from my own seed one year. The plants were very small and I got loads of tiny potatoes. Most were too small to bother cooking, but it was very interesting.
If you just want to experiment for fun then have a go. Save the 'tomatoes' when you dig up the plant or when they drop off and leave them to dry just the same as you would for any seeds you collect. Split open the pods in spring and sow. I did not get around to saving any of the potatoes to plant for the next year. enjoy.

Thanks for sharing your experience azubah

I am going to give it  a try - sounds too challenging not too.

If I create a new breed of potatoes it will be called "Barney Rubble Likes Chips".....

[azubah]

Every seed you germinate and get potatoes from will be a new variety never before grown by man.
I wish I had saved a few and grown them the next year to see if they got bigger.

[barney rubble]

I've now noticed I've got two types of "tomatoes" on my spuds - the flowers are looking like real tomatoes, but I've also got purpley growths round the bases of lower branches of my King Eds - I'm assuming these are also seed pods? There's as many as three of them in one spot

I also found this article on the net

http://www.sarabearchell.com/2008/09/potato-berries/