Potato
Also called Early potato, Main crop potato.
| Light | full sun |
|---|---|
| Water | Every 4 days in the growing season, every 14 in winter |
| Humidity | medium |
| Difficulty | easy |
| Height | Up to 70 cm (28 in) tall |
| Pets | Cats toxic, dogs toxic |
Source: ASPCA Animal Poison Control, toxic and non-toxic plants, Potato entry.
Edible here means commonly eaten. Nothing on this site is medical or dietary advice.
Toxic to cats and dogs if chewed. The green parts of the plant are toxic to cats, dogs and horses. The principle is solanine, present in the leaves, stems and any green tuber, though not in a properly grown and stored potato. Keep it where an animal that eats houseplants cannot reach it, and speak to a vet if one does. In South Africa telephone the Poison Information Helpline on 0861 555 777; in the US, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center on (888) 426-4435.
Potatoes are grown from seed potatoes rather than from seed, and the whole crop is decided in the first month. Chit them in a cool light place until the shoots are short, green and stubby, plant them deep once the frosts are ending, and earth up the stems as they grow so that no tuber ever sees daylight, because light turns them green and green potatoes are not fit to eat. Early varieties are up and out of the ground before blight arrives, which is why they are the ones to try first in a wet climate. Water hard from flowering, when the tubers are swelling. In a container, three seed potatoes in a forty litre sack give a proper meal or two.
Ailments observed
| Spots on the leaves | Potato blight in warm wet weather, which spreads within days. Cut the tops off at ground level at the first sign and leave the tubers in the ground a fortnight before lifting. Grow earlies, which are usually out before blight arrives. |
|---|---|
| Long bare stems and pale new leaves | Shoots grown in the dark before planting, or a plant in shade. Chit the seed potatoes in a cool light place so the shoots come short and green rather than long and white. |
Filed underPlants that forgive a beginner
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