Production

Greenhouse Production

In the greenhouse plantlets & minitubers are produced from in vitro grown plantlets. To produce plantlets for field transplanting nodal cuttings are rooted in 50 cells Pro-trays. While for minituber production the nodal cuttings are first rooted for two weeks depending on cultivars in 98 cells trays and then transplanted to 18 and/or 24 cells pro-trays. Sterilized grower media is used for both plantlets and minituber production. Optimum cultural management is provided for watering, fertilization, and insecticide & fungicide sprays. To ensure quality produce rigid sanitation and closer supervisions are maintained in all plantlets & minituber production system.

Minitubers

Greenhouse propagation for minitubers begins in late June - early July. Nodal cuttings are transferred from in vitro test tubes to planting trays containing sterile soil mix. Plants are monitored daily throughout the growing season for moisture stress, fertilizer needs, and insect/disease pressure. Irrigation, fertilization, and pesticide applications are performed as necessary. Plants are top-killed in mid-late October and harvest begins in early November. Minitubers are stored at 38 degrees F and 95 % relative humidity.

Minitubers come in 4 size categories:

Size Category	Average Weight	Approximate Number/Lb.
Pea	3.0 grams	150
Small	7.0 grams	75
Medium	13.0 grams	40
Large	20.0 grams	25