does the number of potato eyes affect its rate of germination

I think most advice is to cut the potato into sections with only a few eyes. That would give you more 'plants' per potato, and maybe a whole potato could sprout with so many stems that they crowd each other and aren't as hearty, anyway. Then again- Potatoes in my kitchen seem to grow just one or few eyes when they sprout. Maybe planting a whole potato would only give you a couple sprouts anyway. By cutting maybe you get more.

I don't think the number of eyes on a given potato has any effect on how they sprout.

sallyg said:
I don't think the number of eyes on a given potato has any effect on how they sprout.

I disbelieve it matters too.

I've planted them both ways...

The important issues.... is how hot it is, and ph of soil.

We can barely grow taters down here, it's just too hot, too quick, after the frosts stop... And planting taters in the winter.... sorta works, except... the tops repeatedly get frosted back to ground level...

No. Each eye will grow a tater plant.
Buy seed potatoes to get big potatoes. Cut them so they have at least one eye. Dip cut side in cinnamon "fungicide" and let them scab over. Then plant. Happy happy
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I agree that you should start with "seed potatoes". If you use store bought grocery potatoes they may have been treated with a chemical to inhibit sprouting.

If you are planting while the weather is cool (don't know your location) cut the seed potatoes into pieces, each containing at least one eye, dust the cut pieces with horticultural sulfur before planting.

@greene. Sulpher is cheeper !
Probably better !
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Maybe all of you further south need to dust your cut potatoes before planting, but that practice is unheard of and unnecessary here in the north.

Thats great. Location location ! Ive heard of treating them.but.ive never done it.
When you dont know where a member lives. Its better to err on the side of caution.
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