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Solanum tuberosum 'Cara'

potato 'Cara'

A high yielding maincrop which produces lots of uniform, rounded, pink and white tubers with a floury white flesh. The potatoes have a sweet taste and are a great all purpose variety which stores well. It also has excellent disease resistance and can tolerate drought conditions

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Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metres
Time to ultimate height
1 year
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring White Green
Summer White Green
Autumn
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Drought resistance
Yes
Hardiness
H2
Botanical details
Family
Solanaceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy, Clump forming
Potentially harmful
Harmful if eaten, except potato crop. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Pets (dogs): Harmful if eaten, except potato crop - for further information and contact numbers regarding pets, see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants
Genus

Solanum can be annuals, perennials, evergreen or deciduous shrubs or twining climbers, with simple or pinnnately lobed leaves and star- or bowl-shaped, 5-lobed flowers with prominent stamens, followed by fleshy fruits

Name status

Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in an open, frost-free site with deep, fertile, moisture-retentive soil for high quality and heavy yields. This variety can get quite tall so a sheltered spot would be ideal. Improve soil by adding organic matter, such as well-rotted manure, in the autumn. Draw earth up around the stems as they emerge, to exclude light and prevent the potatoes from becoming green. Water well in dry periods although this variety does show a reasonable tolerance to drought. Potatoes can also be grown in large containers or potato gro-bags. See potato cultivation for further advice.

Propagation

Propagate by chitting tubers or 'seed potatoes'. This is done by standing the tubers 'rose-end' up (the end with the most eyes) in egg boxes or trays in a cool, light place. After two to three weeks the shoots will begin to sprout. Plant out after frosts have passed, from about mid March to mid April.

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Patio and container plants
Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Shows resistance to Potato cyst nematodes but may be susceptible to cutworms, slugs, wireworms and leaf and bud eelworm

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely), shows generally good disease resistance including to late Potato blight and Potato scab but may be susceptible to Potato rot, particulary dry rot, Potato blackleg and stem canker

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