If you have a large enough plot, in which to grow several varieties of potatoes then you can of course experiment with different types to see which one is best for you. To be sure you know what type you are buying you would need to carry out your own research or contact the seed merchant for advice. There are examples of both types in early, second early and maincrop potato varieties. It’s easy to presume that all early potatoes will be Determinate and all maincrop will be Indeterminate but this is not always the case. Unfortunately, most seed potato suppliers don’t tend to list Determinate and Indeterminate potatoes, so you don’t really know which type you are buying. Most, but not all maincrop potatoes are Indeterminate. Indeterminate potatoes require much more space and more time spent on “earthing up”, or “hilling” as it is sometimes referred to, but the resultant harvest is much more bountiful. However, in this case less work also means a smaller harvest. The determinate potato grows quickly and needs little attention other than watering and mulching during the growing period. It’s also worth considering the time spent on the cultivation process of both types of potato. The gardener needs to decide on which type is best for their particular circumstances, especially if space is restricted. It will continue to grow indefinitely, until the end of the growing season. The word “Indeterminate” therefore, refers to the exact opposite, meaning there is no limits to the plants growth.
![isle of jura seed potatoes isle of jura seed potatoes](http://www.suttonelms.org.uk/potato%20tubers/bf-15.jpg)
For example, a determinate potato variety is restricted to producing tubers in one layer of soil. In this specific context, the word “determinate” simply refers to the restricted growth of the plant. List of some of the most popular indeterminate potatoes Indeterminate potato varieties are well-suited to growing in potato bags and deep containers, where additional soil can be added as the plants grow.
![isle of jura seed potatoes isle of jura seed potatoes](http://www.suttonelms.org.uk/potato%20tubers/puritan.jpg)
However, some mid-season varieties will mature at around 70-90 days.
ISLE OF JURA SEED POTATOES FULL
The full time period from seed potato planting to harvesting is more likely to be around 90-120 days. The growing period for Indeterminate potato varieties is quite long in comparison to Determinate. This process of “earthing up” also helps to provide support to the long flimsy stems, which are taller and more prone to collapse than their determinate counterparts. As the plants grow, soil will need to be drawn up around the stems to encourage the production of more tubers and to protect them from exposure to sunlight. The tubers will generally be larger than determinate varieties and are much heavier cropping. Indeterminate potatoes will form tubers at several levels. List of some of the most popular determinate potatoes Another distinguishing factor is the potatoes tend to be smaller than Indeterminate varieties and produce fewer tubers. These fast growing plants are ideal for climates, which may have a short growing season. However, not all early potato varieties are classified as Determinate. Determinate potatoes produce much earlier crops, some varieties maturing in as little as 65-70 days from planting the seed potatoes. Other distinct differences include their growing time frame. The plants are also much shorter than Indeterminate varieties and have sturdier stems. Although they don’t really need to be “earthed up” as such, being close to the surface can expose the potatoes to sunlight, causing them to produce chlorophyll, which in turn makes them toxic and unsafe to eat. Generally, and because they grow close to the surface, it’s best if a mulch is applied around the base of the plants to prevent the tubers from “greening”. Determinate potatoesĭeterminate potatoes tend to produce a single layer of tubers, which develop just under the surface layer of the soil. The tubers will begin to form at higher levels around the stems and above and adjacent to the seed potatoes.
![isle of jura seed potatoes isle of jura seed potatoes](http://how-to-grow-potatoes.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/sharpesexpress.jpg)
Indeterminate potatoes will grow in multiple layers and therefore it’s best to plant the seed potatoes a little deeper at around 12cm deep. With potatoes however, the terms most often refer to the plant’s growth habit below ground.ĭue to the different growth habits of both types of potatoes, the way you might cultivate them is a little different too, For example, because the tubers of determinate potatoes grow above the seed potatoes and in the top layer of soil, they should be planted at around 10cm deep. Potatoes, which are closely related to tomatoes (Solanum family), also fall into 2 similar categories. The shorter varieties are known as “ Determinate”, while the taller varieties are known as “ Indeterminate”. The short bushy varieties that do not need any support and then there are the tall cordon varieties that need to be staked. Most gardeners are aware that there are 2 distinct types of tomato plants, cordon and bush. 1 Comment Wednesday, 2 March 2022 | SimplySeed