List of Determinate vs. Indeterminate Potato Cultivars - Ask Extension
Hello,
I'm a gardener and have been trying to track down a list that identifies whether a particular variety of potato is determinate or indete...
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List of Determinate vs. Indeterminate Potato Cultivars #783440
Asked March 07, 2022, 3:31 PM EST
Hello,
I'm a gardener and have been trying to track down a list that identifies whether a particular variety of potato is determinate or indeterminate. There appears to be very little on the internet regarding this question and, from what I have been able to find, it's conflicting. I'm looking for something definitive. The two varieties I'm planning to grow this year are Purple Viking and German Butterball, but I'm really interested in a list that includes most of the popular varieties grown here in the U.S.
El Paso County Colorado
Expert Response
Hello,
Thank you for your question.
Usually we classify potatoes as “early season”, “mid season” and “late season” varieties.
There is not a lot of educational websites regarding the determinate/ indeterminate topic and I could not find a list.
Early season varieties have a determinate growth habit and only need about 4-8” of soil cover. They grow tubers along the same level and might only need a couple of inches of soil to be added once tubers form.
Late season varieties are indeterminate potatoes and grow tubers within a foot of soil along the stem and require hilling. The plant above ground might be slightly taller. Mid season might belong to either group being determinate or indeterminate potatoes. You might have to check and add soil to the top layer to cover up tubers being produced. Short season/determinate potatoes will bloom earlier then indeterminate potato varieties.
Late season varieties might not have enough time to ripen in order to be used for storage potatoes in our short growing seasons.
The Purple Viking variety ( 80-110 days) is in the mid season group. Check to see if the plant requires more soil.
The German Butterball ( 100-130 days) is in the late season variety and will need hilling.
There is no official list for either group, but as you browse some gardener blogs you might find some lists, but I don’t know how reliable this information is.
In Colorado it is suggested to plant early or mid season varieties due to our short growing season.
The link below will provide more growing information from CSU extension.
https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/potatoes-in-the-home-garden-7-617/
https://growgive.extension.colostate.edu/colorado-vegetable-guide/
Thank you
Heike W
Thank you for your question.
Usually we classify potatoes as “early season”, “mid season” and “late season” varieties.
There is not a lot of educational websites regarding the determinate/ indeterminate topic and I could not find a list.
Early season varieties have a determinate growth habit and only need about 4-8” of soil cover. They grow tubers along the same level and might only need a couple of inches of soil to be added once tubers form.
Late season varieties are indeterminate potatoes and grow tubers within a foot of soil along the stem and require hilling. The plant above ground might be slightly taller. Mid season might belong to either group being determinate or indeterminate potatoes. You might have to check and add soil to the top layer to cover up tubers being produced. Short season/determinate potatoes will bloom earlier then indeterminate potato varieties.
Late season varieties might not have enough time to ripen in order to be used for storage potatoes in our short growing seasons.
The Purple Viking variety ( 80-110 days) is in the mid season group. Check to see if the plant requires more soil.
The German Butterball ( 100-130 days) is in the late season variety and will need hilling.
There is no official list for either group, but as you browse some gardener blogs you might find some lists, but I don’t know how reliable this information is.
In Colorado it is suggested to plant early or mid season varieties due to our short growing season.
The link below will provide more growing information from CSU extension.
https://extension.colostate.edu/topic-areas/yard-garden/potatoes-in-the-home-garden-7-617/
https://growgive.extension.colostate.edu/colorado-vegetable-guide/
Thank you
Heike W
Another very informative link from Oregon Sate https://extension.oregonstate.edu/gardening/techniques/grow-your-own-potatoes
