How Should I store mini tubers for planting

dott22 · June 24, 2012

I planted some TPS and some sprout pulls and they grew pretty well. I had some issues with fire ants killing the plants and eating holes into the potatoes. None the less I ended up with a small mess of small golfball and quarter sized potatoes.

I pulled them out of the ground a few weeks ago, and didn't wash the dirt off but have had them at about 80 degrees. I was hoping to store them for planting, either later this summer or next year, but they are starting to shrivel up already, and I don't think they'll last.

What is the best way to make these small potatoes last?

Thank you for any help with this!

wingnut · June 25, 2012

They were probably not mature enough. It is better to grow them in pots, letting them die back on their own, then keeping the tuber filled pots in a cool area till re-planting.

wmontanez · June 27, 2012

I had the same with shriveling tubers when I removed them without letting the plant die naturally. It is probably worth trying to chill them for a few weeks and plant them in pots as Wingnut suggests. If any survives and grows back in a pot at least having some Christmas potatoes down south could be possible . And with luck some might give you enough to have seeds for next spring. Good luck!

dott22 · June 30, 2012

Thanks for the replies. So, if they are shrivelled up can I just soak them in water before I put in the refrigerator to re-hydrate the tiny tubers?

wingnut · July 1, 2012

If they have shriveled they are probably toast, but worth trying to save.

June 24, 2012	#1
dott22 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2011 Location: South Carolina Posts: 19	How Should I store mini tubers for planting I planted some TPS and some sprout pulls and they grew pretty well. I had some issues with fire ants killing the plants and eating holes into the potatoes. None the less I ended up with a small mess of small golfball and quarter sized potatoes. I pulled them out of the ground a few weeks ago, and didn't wash the dirt off but have had them at about 80 degrees. I was hoping to store them for planting, either later this summer or next year, but they are starting to shrivel up already, and I don't think they'll last. What is the best way to make these small potatoes last? Thank you for any help with this!

June 27, 2012	#3
wmontanez Tomatovillian™ Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: MA Posts: 776	I had the same with shriveling tubers when I removed them without letting the plant die naturally. It is probably worth trying to chill them for a few weeks and plant them in pots as Wingnut suggests. If any survives and grows back in a pot at least having some Christmas potatoes down south could be possible . And with luck some might give you enough to have seeds for next spring. Good luck! __________________ Wendy

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June 25, 2012	#2
wingnut Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2011 Location: bald hill area thurston county washington Posts: 312	They were probably not mature enough. It is better to grow them in pots, letting them die back on their own, then keeping the tuber filled pots in a cool area till re-planting.

June 30, 2012	#4
dott22 Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2011 Location: South Carolina Posts: 19	Thanks for the replies. So, if they are shrivelled up can I just soak them in water before I put in the refrigerator to re-hydrate the tiny tubers?

July 1, 2012	#5
wingnut Tomatovillian™ Join Date: May 2011 Location: bald hill area thurston county washington Posts: 312	If they have shriveled they are probably toast, but worth trying to save.