Our greenhouse facility produces three crops annually and cold storage facilities provide for year-round availability. As demand is ever increasing, customers are recommended to discuss their requirements with us at least 18 months in advance.
We can produce any of the open varieties. Today, at Potato Seed Production these include BP1, Up-to-date, Van der Plank, and Buffelspoort from G0 to G3. A number of Generation 0 protected varieties are also produced for clients on a contractual basis.
Greenhouse Production
Potato Seed Production owns one of the largest greenhouse tuber (G0) potato production facilities and is one of the most important producers of certified G0 tubers in South Africa. More than 1,500,000 tubers are produced annually from the company's six greenhouses.
Access to our climate-controlled and insect-proof greenhouses is strictly controlled to ensure that no infestation of planting material occurs. All growing media are sterilised before the commencement of planting. Borehole water used in the greenhouses is chlorinated to eliminate bacterial infection and is never recycled.
Greenhouse production continues throughout the year and tubers (G0) are all of a superb quality, with sizes between 5 and 200 grammes.
Field production
The combination of an elevated altitude and a remote location is ideal for field production of early generation potatoes and the prevention of virus infection. The harsh winter micro-climate found on the mountain means that only one field planting is possible per year, thereby ensuring optimal growing conditions. Tubers from the company's own greenhouses are used to establish a Generation 1 seed crop and the yield is multiplied further through the production of Generation 2 and Generation 3 planting materials.
Field planting commences in September/October and the crop is harvested from February onwards. A stringent pest and disease control program is followed in these field productions, to combat any insect and pathogen infection. Once harvested, potatoes are crated and stored for two weeks before sorting and grading. On receipt of clearance for viral and bacterial wilt tests, potatoes are certified and shipped to customers.
Potato Seed Production's 75 hectares of planting yields approximately 2,200 tonnes of seed potatoes annually.
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