Russian Blue

A blue fleshed potato with dark purple skin which is reported to be a heritage variety from Russia.

Flowers of Russian Blue are a pale purple with orange stamens

Flowers of Russian Blue are a pale purple with orange stamens

Russian Blue tubers.  Single plant yield, Victoria BC 2012.

Russian Blue tubers. Single plant yield, Victoria BC 2012.

GENERAL

Maturity: Late

Skin colour: dark purple

Flesh colour: Blue

Tuber Shape: round to oblong

Origin and Breeding: Reported to be a heritage variety from Russia.

Year registered in Canada:

AGRICULTURAL FEATURES

Yield: Heavy setting

Dormancy:

Storability:

Utilization: Roasting, baking or grilling is recommended.

Environmental Stress: Withstands dry conditions.

DISEASE AND INSECT SUSCEPTIBILITY

Moderately resistant: late blight, hollow heart, second growth, shatter bruise, PVA, PVM, PVX, PVS.

Moderately susceptible:

Susceptible: PVLR, PVY, common scab, bacterial ring rot, and black leg.

NOTES:

From West Coast Seeds: “Russian Blue is a late season HERITAGE variety. Dark purple skin on round to oblong tubers, plants are very heavy setting so give them more room in the row. It withstands dry conditions better than most. Their texture is much like a russet so they are good to bake or mash, cook as French fry or even make into chips; but they also can be steamed or boiled. Roasting or grilling the halves will actually darken the colour.”

SOURCES:

West Coast Seeds

NOTES:

Garrett Pittenger is the source of the seed potatoes used in the CCP, and has been maintaining this variety for many years: “This is one of three maritime Canadian ‘blues’ in my collection. The other two are Angelina Mahoney’s Blue and Pugh’s Purple. They are all ‘Blue Nose’ types: long oval shape, light purple skin with a much darker blue ‘nose’ on the tuber. Flesh is white with blue streaks around the eyes when peeled. I am told that the Nova Scotians were called ‘Blue Noses’ because of this potato that was a big part of their diet. ” (Potato Gene Resources Newsletter, 2001).

SOURCES:

Potato Gene Resources Newsletter 2001 – p 2