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Annual Biennial

Solanum tuberosum 'Stemster'

potato 'Stemster'

A bushy perennial grown as an annual vegetable for its edible tubers. A high-yielding maincrop potato with pinkish-red skin and pale yellow flesh. Tubers are large and store well. A good choice for drier soils and suitable for boiling, mashing, baking and roasting

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

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
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 fertile, moisture-retentive soil for high quality and heavy yields. Improve soil by adding organic matter in 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. Potatoes can also be grown in large containers or potato grow bags. See potato cultivation for further advice

Propagation

Grow from certified seed potatoes

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

No pruning required

Pests

May be susceptible to cutworms, slugs, wireworms, leaf and bud eelworm, Potato cyst nematodes

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely), Potato scab and Potato blight and may be susceptible to Potato rot, Potato blackleg and stem canker

Get involved

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