Likely

Likely, British Columbia lends its name to this fingerling potato. This potato survived many years outside of cultivation on the shores of Quesnel Lake, originally brought their by Russian fur traders. They were passed on to First Nations people who eventually passed them on to placer gold panners.

White flowers of Likely potato plant, July 1, 2013 in Saanich, BC

White flowers of Likely potato plant, July 1, 2013 in Saanich, BC

Likely tubers from single plant grown in 2013 in Metchosin, BC.

Likely tubers from single plant grown in 2013 in Metchosin, BC.

GENERAL

Maturity: late

Skin colour: pale to medium brown

Flesh colour: creamy yellow

Tuber Shape: fingerling

Origin and Breeding: Unknown – probably from Russian fur traders. Thought to be closely related to Banana.

Year registered in Canada: Not registered.

AGRICULTURAL FEATURES

Yield: Low, but with numerous small tubers per plant.

Dormancy: unknown

Storability: probably short

Utilization:

Environmental Stress: Reputed to be highly frost resistant.

DISEASE AND INSECT SUSCEPTIBILITY

No reports of disease or insect problems on tubers grown for Crop Climate Project.

Moderately resistant:

Moderately susceptible:

Susceptible:

NOTES:
SOURCES:

CROP-CLIMATE PROJECT PERFORMANCE SUMMARY

2013

      Likely was grown in 3 locations for the Crop-Climate Project in 2013: Gananoque, Ontario, Metchosin, BC and Saanich, BC.

      • Likely was the second highest yielding of five fingerling potatoes grown in Gananoque ON; it was the lowest yielding in Saanich, BC.
Yields (kg/plant) of 5 fingerling varieties grown under field conditions in Saanich, BC and Gananoque, Ont in 2013.

Yields (kg/plant) of 5 fingerling varieties grown under field conditions in Saanich, BC and Gananoque, Ont in 2013.

      • Likely growth and development was somewhat similar to the closely related Banana variety when grown in Saanich BC, where it produced some white flowers, but never any fruits. In Metchosin, with light irrigation, it developed much more quickly, dying back in 102 days. In Gananoque, the plants never fully died back and there were still green leaves on the majority of plants when harvested in early October.
Growth and development of five varieties grown in Saanich, BC in 2013.

Growth and development of five varieties grown in Saanich, BC in 2013.

Growth and development of Likely at three locations in 2013.

Growth and development of Likely at three locations in 2013.