Seed potatoes.

[Oliver Buckle]

I often save some small potatoes for seed and this year I thought I would plant some in August for autumn potatoes. I checked on line and it said I could not use the ones I have just dug up, they have a period of dormancy. No problem, I had some Charlotte seed left over from the Spring, I planted them and they are now about 4" above ground,
So today I dug up the first of my maincrop King Edward plants, considering it was just a little row of three stuck in a bit of spare space next to the sweet corn, and it didn't even get earthed up, it wasn't a bad little crop, though there were a few diddy ones, never mind, next year's seed; but get this, they were sprouting, roots one end, leaves coming the other, so what's happened to the 'Period of dormancy' that means I can't use them? I am looking round for a piece of ground where I can try them.

 

[Meadowlark]

There are very few absolutes in gardening. Actually, I would say there are no absolutes in gardening but just as sure as the sun coming up tomorrow someone will post an exception... it seems there is always someone who delights in posting exceptions.

Period of dormancy in potatoes is one of those. One of the largest growers of organic seed potatoes in the USA states, "...potatoes need a dormancy period of 4-8 weeks before they will sprout." I have found this to match my personal experience...and if anything, the dormancy period is even longer here in hot weather. By the way, that grower above is located in Maine and I am in Texas, two very different climates but each with dormancy in potatoes.

It can be very difficult to grow a fall crop of potatoes in some areas because of this. My area in particular. It has taken me many years of trial and error to find the secret to growing a fall/winter potato crop here primarily because of the dormancy issue. The stores here generally do not offer fall seed potatoes because of the dormancy issue...and few people are successful at growing fall/winter crop of potatoes, again largely due to the dormancy issue.

I am required to get fall/winter potatoes in the ground the last two weeks of August. To be successful, the tops need to be up and growing no later than early September. Only my own "chitted" potatoes which come from my spring potato crop reliably can accomplish that.

I "rest" selected spring crop potatoes in a relatively cool dark place for about 8 weeks after harvest, then move them into air conditioned "chitting" space where they are exposed to gradually increasing amounts of light and constant 72 deg F temp. They will be ready to plant in another two to three weeks.



Yes, dormancy in potatoes is a widely accepted fact, but there are always exceptions. The key to growing potatoes and actually most other things, is to find what works best in your area.