GardenCalendar.co.uk
OTHER POTATO PAGES
The Arran Victory potato variety was first bred in 1912 and then released for sale in 1918 after the victory at the end of the First World War. It was bred on the Isle of Arran just off the West coast of Scotland. This area of the UK has milder weather than you might expect making it an ideal climate for potato production.
It was bred by Donald McKelvie and was one of a long line of potato varieties named after the Isle of Arran (twenty two in all), the most popular being the first early variety Arran Pilot. Parentage is not known but is believed to be a seedling from the variety Suttons Seedling.
Arran Victory Potato
Arran Victory is classed as a Maincrop potato variety but it can be harvested up to a month earlier than it's ideal maturity date giving it an expansive harvest period.
An unusual feature of this variety is the bright purple-blue coloured skin. However this turns to a more normal light brown colour when cooked. It is believed that the brightly coloured skin led to its fall in popularity over time.
The potatoes are oval shaped and lots of them. The flesh is unusually white and there are deep eyes which makes peeling something of a problem. Disease resistance is universally poor, especially to blight.
They make excellent roast and mashed potatoes but are prone to falling apart when boiled. Taste is slightly earthy, and is affected by the soil it is grown in.
Arran Victory potatoes should be grown in the normal manner for Maincrop potatoes. Click here for our detailed page about growing potatoes. We wouldn't advise growing them in containers.
This variety does not really benefit from being chitted but if you feel the need, the best time to chit / sprout Arran Victory potatoes is the first week of March in average areas of the UK. Comprehensive details about how to chit potatoes can be found here.
Sprouted Seed Potatoes
The best time to plant out Arran Victory potatoes is about the first week of April in average areas of the UK.
Planting out on this date will give the seed potatoes about six weeks before they reach the surface of the soil. Whilst they are growing towards the soil surface the sprouts will be protected from frost by the surrounding soil.
By the time they do appear above the soil, the danger of frost will have passed and the sprouts will not be damaged by frost. Comprehensive details about how to plant out potatoes can be found here.
As with all vegetables, the time for harvest is dependent on many factors such as the weather conditions while they are growing and the general soil conditions.
On average however you can expect to start harvesting Arran Victory potatoes in mid to late August in average areas of the UK.
Using the above date as a guide we would advise that a week before that date you use your hand to search through the soil to harvest one or two potatoes. The term often used for this activity is known in gardening circles as "furtling"!
It does almost no damage to the remaining potatoes but allows you to examine one or two of the potatoes to ensure they are of approximately the correct size. If they are, start harvesting, if not wait for one or two weeks and try again.
Harvesting Arran Victory potatoes can be spread over three to four weeks and they can be stored successfully for a couple of months in the correct conditions. Comprehensive details about how to harvest and store potatoes can be found here.
For other maincrop potatoes we have tested select one from the drop down list below.
OTHER POTATO PAGES
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS
CONCERNING THIS PAGE, ENTER THEM BELOW.
WE WILL ANSWER ON
THIS PAGE AS SOON AS POSSIBLE