Leaf color of TPS plants

[azgirl]

Does leaf color on the plants indicate future color of potato?

I have planted 12 seeds from seeds I received from Tom last year. 4 of each of 3 crosses sent to me. (two are stunted and don't seem to be viable plants, but 10 are healthy and growing nicely!)

A couple of the plants have interesting colors on some of the leaves (not all) and only on the tips. One plant has a purplish edge to ONE leaf and another plant has a reddish/burgandy edge. These are on the Skagit Valley Gold x Thumbed Nose cross. Is it possible to predict the future color?

Also, I have started planting in larger containers. Two plants had the tops eaten off by rodents (UGH!@!). Will they survive or are they done for?

Thanks for any input!
Melissa

[Tom Wagner]

Melissa,

It is not unusual for a number of potato seedlings, TPS seedlings, to be less than their siblings...either in size, vigor, or other attributes. The exact genetic makeup of those 'runts' can be chalked up to poor combining ability....a term I have heard many times in the past from breeders. Who knows for sure what is going on? Is it lethal genes...inbreeding...as I said...who knows?

The plants that are broken off or eaten off should recover....90% chance in my book.

The cross who have from me is a diploid and both parents have color coordinates in the leaves that do indicate color of the skin and a sub-template of flesh color. The lighter yellow green leaves indicate yellow to orange flesh, highly colored edges of the leaves or independently in the mid-rib areas may indicate color splashes of red or purple or entirely colored skin of red or purple.

If I ever get the time....doubtful with all I have planned this year...I should photograph leaves and tie them in with skin and flesh color.....maybe if I look into thousands of pictures I could give a hint as to the connection with up close photos.

[azgirl]

Thanks, Tom.

I figured you would have an idea of potential color based on leaves. If you ever find the time, I would find your observations between leaf color, stem color, and future color of the potato interesting and educational.

Also, I do hope your 90% survival rate for eaten plants is accurate. I'll continue to watch them and hope for the best. It was really discouraging to have that happen to the first ones I planted out.

...and I guess I'll quit hoping the runts make it and move on. LOL. Oh well, just trying for the best/most I can get before the summer heat sets in.