[Cazzy]

I'm planning to experiment with some TPS that I've saved.

Are there any members who could advise when is the best time to sow the seeds?

[Aunt Sally]

This one crops up from time to to time and it's not something I have ever or would ever try but there's information about it here:

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

[mumofstig]

this http://daughterofthesoil.blogspot.com/2010/04/sowing-potatoes-from-tps.html

suggests mid March..........but note that this year you will only grow small seed potatoes for planting next year 

[Cazzy]

Thanks to you both

[caroline800]

Looking at this, not sure if I've got this right, but

year 1 plant bought seed potatoes, harvest berries and save seeds
year 2 plant bought seed potatoes to eat and save seeds from, plant seeds from year 1 to save tubers for next year
year 3 plant your saved tubers to eat and save seeds from, plant seeds from year 2 to save tubers etc

never have to buy seed potatoes again?!!! 

now that's got to be worth a try?

[DD.]

That's an awful lot of faffing considering you may be developing a poor strain of spuds, compared to the price of buying certified stock.

[Mark-S]

This is fraught with problems and unless you are in a guranteed aphid and therefore virus free area i would not even consider attempting it.  You will get masses of genetic variation and the seed you are collecting will not neccesarily have the same genetic make-up of teh mother tuber.

Any imperfections you get will be increased in the next generation.

There is a reason why breeders stocks, pre-basic, basic seed potatoes are produced in high altitude reas of Scotland and NI or in Holland where aphids are reduced by large insecticide applications.

In all honesty I wouldnt even attempt it - but i guess its your choice.   

That all said - i would love to hear how you get on!!!

[GrannieAnnie]

I tried one year, but nothing grew!

[Cazzy]

I'm doing it purely out of curiosity and for a bit of fun to see what I get.  I'll still be planting my seed potatoes as normal.

I'll keep a wee picture diary and you see the outcome Mark

[arugula]

And of course you are in Scotland, Cazzy.

[Cazzy]

I tried one year, but nothing grew!

This is probably what will happen when I try it, just like my sweet potato and ginger experiments.

True Argyllie, probably the one and only time i'll ever hear that the Scottish weather is good for something 

[arugula]

Well, that and raspberries.

[Aunt Sally]

If it was worth doing you would find LOADS of gardeners doing it already.

[Cazzy]

If it was worth doing you would find LOADS of gardeners doing it already.

I think its worth doing so I suppose thats all that matters

[Aunt Sally]

Of course that's all that matters 

Please post each year to let us know how you are getting on.

You might start a fashion !