Potato | Ruby Gem (Members Only​)

Quantity: 500 grams

Description: This is a potato that we bred here at Koanga from the aerial seeds we collected a few years ago. It is red all through when the potatoes are young and is stunning looking as well as a stunner to grow. The tops grow like a tree with a very strong trunk and the potatoes travel further than others. Heavy cropper.

Planting Instructions: Keep an eye on the plants as they grow. Occasionally plants will have all crinkly leaves which is a sign of virus. These plants are best removed and certainly should not be used for seed potatoes. A fairly recent problem for potato growing in New Zealand is the Tomato, Potato Psyllid. These small insects are sucking feeders that reduce crop size. Plant growth is stunted with curling leaves often with purple tips and aerial tubers forming. If you experience reduced crop size due to psyllids then best plant as early as possible to avoid the psyllid which only becomes active in warmer weather. Those with short seasons may need to resort to planting before the last frost (we plant in mid September and frequently have frosts until late November), and plan on having frost cloth and hoops over the potatoes until you are sure there will be no more frosts. It is often easy enough to keep hilling them top until November some time but after that they will need covering. A hard frost will get the tops through frost cloth if it is sitting on the leaves. It is best to place the frost cloth on hoops over the potatoes. If you can the potatoes will do better if planted in August.

Psyllid hit our potatoes and tomatoes here at Koanga a few years ago but we do not have any problem these days. We believe it is because we have built our soil health pretty high, and the crops have BRIX’s over 12. If you do however still have psyllid in your area then the Koanga sells Psyllid Solution, a very finely ground form of diatomaceous earth which if applied regularly using a backpack sprayer (weekly) is very effective at keeping the psyllid off the tomatoes and potatoes and peppers. Koanga diatomaceous earth can also be used as a miticide on poultry and for many other uses. Early varieties of potatoes are usually ready to harvest before the psyllid hits. If you water your potatoes in with BIOBREW solution that will help maintain soil and plant health.