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Potatoes 'Mandel' / 'Mandelpotatis', 'Lapin Puikula'

Potatoes 'Mandel' / 'Mandelpotatis', 'Lapin Puikula'

Potatoes 'Mandel' / 'Mandelpotatis', 'Lapin Puikula'

Product number: 406360.1
Origin: Northern Europe
Latin: Solanum tuberosum

Before 1900. This traditional variety is famous and much loved in Norway, Sweden, and Finland. Its elongated shape is reminiscent of almonds, hence its name. Enthusiasts consider this variety a delicacy due to its very high dry matter content: very floury. Cook the potato gently in its skin and enjoy a truly old-fashioned spud, which also performs very well as a baking potato. This variety also proves to be very resistant to the North-Scandinavian climate. Give them space, it is an old and sensitive variety.

MEDIUM-EARLY VARIETY FOR CONNOISSEURS.
A medium-early variety means it can be harvested from August. Harvesting a few weeks earlier is possible by planting earlier. Planting time is from mid-April, when the soil is warm enough. Pre-sprouting in light or in a large pot can be done sooner. Do not plant them in too wet a spot, but ensure they get plenty of sun. Medium-early varieties can suffer from the feared potato blight (Phytophthora infestans). Some preventive measures include: spacious planting, fertilizing with patentkali, not spraying water over the plant, and possibly biological spraying with sulfur or silinal. The average planting distance is 70x40 cm, we recommend 80x40 cm to prevent diseases.

Names:
Latin: Solanum tuberosum
Dutch: Aardappel
Also: Mandelpotatis, Lapin Puikula
English: Potato

Planting time:

April

Soil type:

All soil types

Location:

Flower colour: Light purple with white heart
Average growth height: 60 to 90 cm
Bulb / tuber size: Varies
Attractive to insects: N/A
Annual or perennial: Perennial
Winter hardy: Moderately frost hardy
Origin: Northern Europe
Ease of cultivation: Moderate

Latin: Solanum tuberosum
Dutch: Potato
Also known as: Almond potato, Lapin Puikula
English: Potato

“These potatoes don’t taste like they used to…” Do you recognise that lament? Perhaps you lived (and tasted!) more intensely in the past, but when it comes to those old forgotten varieties, we have good news for you: they’re back, those spuds of yesteryear! Old varieties from before 1950 with unique flavours, special colours, and unfamiliar shapes. How wonderful it would be if all those historical varieties were available on a special shelf at the greengrocer… but for now, you’ll have to grow them yourself (or have them grown) for this “new” culinary journey of discovery. Just a culinary tip: because of their unique colour or shape, don't peel them, but clean them well and cook them whole; often the colour is retained after cooking, and the eye wants something too, doesn't it...? In the English tradition, harvested potatoes are neatly cleaned and displayed in baskets. You could further enhance this harvest presentation with unique cucumbers, multi-coloured Swiss chard, pumpkins, red kale, blue corn: “browse” our seed guides for all those special (old but now trendy) vegetables. Potatoes that have been displayed for a while will slowly turn green and are then no longer edible. For the grower, it's important to know that these old varieties are more susceptible to disease: plant them with ample space and keep a close eye on them. A fun tip: just plant at least 5 varieties; they are packed in small portions (1 kg), and place a clear sign with each separate variety. Cook and taste them separately, make it a “Van Gogh Potato Eaters Feast”… Do you know a “forgotten” variety: let us know. All that remains is to wish you a very good harvest and (for later): bon appétit!