Congo

A deep blue-fleshed potato of unknown origin.  It is valued for its rich purple color and waxy flesh. It is closely related to a number of Canadian Heritage varieties, including British Columbia Blue, McIntosh Blue, River John Blue, and Sharon’s Blue.

Congo potato flowers

Congo potato flowers

Congo potato tubers. Single plant yield, 2012, Victoria, BC

Congo potatoes. Single plant yield, 2012, Victoria, BC
GENERAL

Maturity: Late

Skin colour: Blue

Flesh colour: Blue

Tuber Shape: long to oval

Origin and Breeding: Either from United Kingdom or United States.

Year registered in Canada:

AGRICULTURAL FEATURES

Yield:

Dormancy:

Storability:

Utilization:

Environmental Stress:

DISEASE AND INSECT SUSCEPTIBILITY

Moderately resistant:

Moderately susceptible:

Susceptible:  Scab

NOTES:

Genetic fingerprinting has determined that the following potatoes are likely closely related: British Columbia Blue; McIntosh Black; River John Blue; Sharon’s Blue

SOURCES:

European Cultivated Potato Database – Congo

 

2012

Yield

Congo had average to below average yields at the two growing sites, with .61 kg/plant in Victoria and .53 kg/plant in Caledon. It is likely that yields would have been higher in Caledon had the potatoes been left to grow through to maturity.

Discussion

Congo is a late heritage variety that is valued for its rich purple colour and waxy flesh. Yield results indicate that it may be a reliable performer under a wide variety of conditions.