True Potato Seed

[sphinxeyes]

I don't see a topic for potatoes, so I'll just post my quandary here and hope for the best.

I planted some TPS about 2 weeks ago. I've keep them warm and wet this whole time, but I don't know how long their germination is supposed to take. If I look VERY closely I can see maybe 4 seedlings, but they are very very thin (thread like) and since I don't know what the seedlings for TPS are supposed to look like, I'm not sure if these are the seeds I planted or maybe just stray grass seed that accidently got into the potting mix. I planted about 20 seeds spaced out in a big box, but I'm afraid to transplant any of the 4 because they look so thin and fragile, even though 2 of them are about an inch tall already. Is this normal for TPS? How long should I have to wait before I know if they've germinated successfully?

[grunt]

We did TPS last year, and they did seem to be very slow to get going. No rush to transplant what you have, until after you get what you can see are true leaves, and then only if you need the space for something else. If you have them well spaced, I'd just leave them until you feel comfortable messing with them.

[ottawagardener]

Oh so it's not just my tps that's slooow. Good to know. I have true leaves now but they are still itty bitty plants.

[sphinxeyes]

ottawagardener: How did you start your TPS seeds? How's your germination rate been? I don't have true leaves yet. I can still only see 5 out of the 20 sprouts, 3 are tall and thin but their leaves haven't opened yet, and 1 is tiny (just barely poking its through the soil), but its leaves have opened. I started them directly on the potting soil in a warm place in partial light. Today I took a few more and started them using the moist paper towel method, hoping to get better germination this way. Could you post pictures of what your seedlings look like so I can compare with mine?

[canadamike]

Germination rate with TPS should be something you calculate MUCH later. It is possible for some to take months before feeling the time is right....

[sphinxeyes]

So then some of the seeds that still haven't come up, might come up eventually at different times? That's good to know. I'll just keep my eyes peeled and try to have some patience. I have them under the light now with the tomatoes, is that the right thing for them?

[ottawagardener]

I'm not sure the exact germination rate as I thick I sowed 3 seeds or so per container but 1-2 seeds germinated in most pots. I followed the advice on another thread here that said to surface sow and keep moist. At least that's what I remember it said and that's what I did.

[bunkie]

this is interesting. i planted my TPS seeds on April 8th and some are visible already in 7 days! they are upstairs in our loft where it's pretty warm. only thing i did with them that no one has mentioned so far, is cover them with a light layer of very fine sand. the sand helps keep them moist and must've helped with keeping them warm.

as an extra, the Sperling is germinating now telsing!...i know, i was late starting it, but glad cause it snowed last night and this morning, lots!

and michel, your Altaicum W6 18259 (Mongolia) are up! ;D

[sphinxeyes]

As mentioned above, I started my TPS back in mid-March. As of now 8 out of the 20 seeds have germinated and most of them now have three sets of leaves. The weather is nice here now (around 60-70 most days) and I've moved all my tomato and pepper seedlings into the greenhouse, but I've kept the TPS seedlings inside and under lights since they're still on the small side. I think I need to transplant them soon though, as the soil they're in is starting to turn a little green on top. What is the best way to transplant TPS seedlings? Should I be very careful about the roots? Do they need to go into the ground from here or into another container that is deeper? Can they go into regular potting soil or do they need something special? Is it still important to keep them moist most of the time or should they be allowed to dry out every few days? I don't want to risk losing any of them and since I've never grown them before I just want to be sure I take all the right steps to ensure their continued growth.

[canadamike]

You are growing very tough plants my dear, even if small. The green stuff is a no no. Transplant them, get rid of the greenery and bury them to the last two leaves. Burying them to the last two leaves is now your job for a while, until you can keep up would be a good if not totally acurate way to say it. Once big, transplant in a trench and cover again to the last leaves, once at soil level let them grow a bit then hill like regular potatoes.

Do not get a nervous breakdown over the ''precision'' of these ''manipulations''.

They are tougher than most city people and can deal quite efficiently with approximation.

Whatever you'll do if they have soil, water and nutrients they will give you taters, the hilling part is simply to get more, as they love to root along the stem, tomatoes do it too.

BTW, has anybody done that with peppers? Hilling or bury the stems? And eggplants?

[ottawagardener]

Good question Michel.

I usually bury part of the eggplant stem but I can't remember if this encourages rooting or not.

[grungy]

Peppers don't seem to, egg plants I haven't tried. I think that it is the stems that are hairy that will send out roots. Anyone, care to correct me, please?

[canadamike]

Pffff !

I've got hairy legs and I rooted nowhere

[grungy]

Stems, Michel, stems. Not legs.

[canadamike]

My wife either calls them stems or golf clubs