Geographic distribution of potatoes

[ireilly]

plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=SOTU

www.amjbot.org/cgi/content/full/88/11/2101

I was interested in finding out where potatoes grow in the United States, and that led to a link to worldwide distribution of wild species. It's interesting, but not surprising I guess, that the map of the western hemisphere showing distribution of wild species closely follows the American Cordillera, at least as far north as Arizona and NM. Those of us in Texas might or might not see a few around El Paso.

Is it too hot, too dry, or too flat to grow potatoes in the high plains, hill country, coastal plains, piney woods, or the northeast parts of Texas (we have lots of terrains here but apparently not many potatoes)? I just don't understand why Louisiana (for example) has Irish potato production but not apparently Texas.

Walter

[DarJones]

Walter, you can sum it up with one word. Water.

Water is required either via irrigation or via rainfall.

DarJones

[Tom Wagner]

Walter,

I looked at your links and I understand the wild species of potatoes distribution. This .....http://www.amjbot.org/content/vol88/issue11/images/medium/abot-88-11-14-f04.gif shows the long and narrow areas of habitat

However, the one link about potatoes leaving Texas and other important states out of the picture is unintended and confusing at best. Texas produces more potatoes than Louisiana

Here in my part of Washington, late planted potatoes do not need any irrigation, or very little. Planted late in deep holes near the water table in bottom ground eliminates that need. The late summer and fall rains more than make up for the dry periods of June/Aug. You just need the Late Blight resistance to handle the fall rains and low temps.