True Potato Seeds (TPS), Melosilla, 100 seeds

True potato seed information and growing instructions

This is an OSSI open source variety. Click for more information about open source seeds

Melosilla is a Cultivariable original variety, selected in 2021 from open pollinated seed of Valparaiso.  Valparaiso is a hybrid between a domesticated diploid and the wild species Solanum maglia, so Melosilla is most likely 1/4 S. maglia.  I have grown a lot of seedlings of various crosses with Valparaiso and this is one of the few that stands out with an abundance of domesticated traits.  The name Melosilla was selected as part of a theme of place names near Valparaiso (it is also the name of a yellow flower).

Culinary Traits

Melosilla has dense, slightly waxy, yellow flesh with very good flavor.  The tubers are small, mostly in the 2-3 inch range, which is a great size for roasted potatoes.  It has very thin skin, so peeling is not necessary.  Wash and cut these in half and prep is done.  There is no hint of bitterness in this one, so it has lost the high glycoalkaloids of its parent.  It also does not have the insipid flavor that often accompanies very yellow flesh.  I have a hard time picking favorites, but this is certainly one of the best of my 2021 selections for flavor.

Agronomic Traits

Melosilla plants are compact and should do fine on a 10-12 inch spacing.  Stolons are reasonably short, mostly eight inches or less.  Maturity is about 75 days.  Yields about 1.6 pounds per plant with 14-22 tubers.  They flower modestly and are capable of setting a perfect crop of berries with hand pollination.

Fertility:  MF6, FF10

True Seed (TPS)

TPS was collected in 2022 and this is a new offering, so I can’t tell you what to expect.  The seed will have been widely pollinated by other diploids and the closest were other seedlings out of Valparaiso.  I expect to see many with yellow flesh, since that is a common trait among the most likely pollinators.  The parent has high glycoalkaloids, so I put the scary warning on the TPS, since it is possible that some of the progeny will have higher levels as well.