Potato growing roots along the stem

[paquebot]

Most approved inhibitors that I've ever heard of are not applied to tubers sold for consumption. Surprisingly, most are applied to the plants, not the tubers. MH-30 (maleic hydrazide) is the main one used. The plants grow normally but their tubers will not produce plants no matter how long they are in the ground. It is not commonly used on regular potatoes but is almost always used on pre-packaged specialty or gourmet types such as fingerlings. Since it is not something added to the tubers, they do not have to labeled as having something other than potatoes in the bag. At one time, a mint gas was used to delay sprouting in stored potatoes but it was expensive. Storage now is mostly controlled by temperature.

However, SmartBlock is approved by the FDA as a natural compound and applied after harvest. I have seen no studies on such potatoes being able to overcome its effects and produce normal plants. If anyone can find one, it would be appreciated if it were cited here.

Martin

[stevecrouse]

MH-30 is not used so much nowadays.
CIPC (Sprout Nip) is the sprout inhibitor of choice, mostly applied in storage as a gas/fog and less as an application at packaging.
Some growers trying to hold potatoes for 10-11 months will use a combination of both.
I've seen some in August that looked like they were just dug.
I've experimented with spearmint and clove oils.
Applying them as a gas will burn off short sprouts up to 1/2" long and last, at most, three weeks.
I've always worried about the taste of the oils coming through, though.

[Cheryl]

I rec