How a Potato Plant Grows

[Durgan]

Originally Posted by wingnut

Durgan, Most commonly available potato varieties were selected for short stolons and smaller plants, as well as other traits for machine harvestability. Some of the genetics available thru Tom wagner are selected for flavor/color, berry production, and other traits so still contain genes for "less desirable traits" such as long stolons, thin skins, short dormancy, ect. Varieties like guincho negro and herm 18 will have 6' stolons NO MATTER WHAT YOU DO. But I have found 90%+ varieties need only a moderate hilling to produce a good crop.

Maybe you should address one characteristic, since I have no idea what you are trying to say.

The internet for years has been full of people producing hundreds of pounds of potatoes from vertical hilling as if the tubers grow off the stem similar to a tomato. I have never seen a meaningful clear picture of this type of production and neither has anybody else. I am waiting.