PotaTom: a potato-tomato plant

A plant that produces both tomatoes and potatoes. Most people have no idea that such a thing can be made naturally. But it is a fact and many business are busy with the concept. At Plantenkwekerij Vreugdenhil, it is being called the PotaTom.

The PotaTom has been on the market since 20 April. The new plant from Plantenkwekerij Vreugdenhil produces both tomatoes and potatoes. The cocktail tomato plant is grafted by hand onto the potato plant, explained Jan van Heijst of Plantenkwekerij Vreugdenhil. "Then you get a plant which can produce both." The PotaTom can already be found in various garden centres, but not yet in the well-known pick-your-own vegetable range Pick&Joy. "The plants are not immediately harvestable. This isn't a compact, permanent plant. It needs to be planted out and allowed to grow against a stick or wire."

The plant is reminiscent of the TomTato, that was grandly announced last year by Beekenkamp Plants. But Vreugdenhil have been working for a long time on double producing plants, explained Van Heijst. "Last year, we did extensive testing. Now we are introducing Potatom discreetly to let our customers try it. We want to see how much interest there is and what they think of it." The fact that the names are similar is just a coincidence. "Variations on Potato and Tomato are quickly limiting."

Grafted plants
The Dutch nurseries are not the only ones experimenting with grafted plants. In New Zealand, the Potato Tom, also known as "DoubleUP," was introduced two years ago. In America, the TomTato was known as Ketchup 'n' Fries. In the UK, a supplier grafted two different coloured tomatoes so that a single plant could produce both yellow and red tomatoes. "It follows a growing demand for self-produced vegetables and fruit in our own homes", declared Van Heijst. "That is also apparent in the demand for Pick&Joy. And this is a nice addition." Does Van Heijst see more possibilites for other combinations? Aubergines are in the same family as potatoes and tomatoes. An Egg-Tato, or a TomPlant maybe? That has not yet been tested, says van Heijst. "Maybe it is possible - but I daren't say anything about that yet."

For more information:
Jan van Heijst
Plantenkwekerij Vreugdenhil
Noord-Lierweg 35a
2678 NA de Lier
Tel.: 0174 513 241
Fax: 0174 512 731
www.plkwvreugdenhil.nl