What are potato cuttings?

Potato cuttings, also known as potato tubers, are the underground stems of the potato plant that store carbohydrates and nutrients. They are the edible part of the potato plant and what we typically eat.

Here's a breakdown:

* Potato Plant: The potato plant is a herbaceous perennial that produces flowers and fruits (the green berries) but the edible part is the underground tuber.

* Tuber: The tuber is a modified stem that grows underground. It is swollen and fleshy, packed with starch and other nutrients.

* Eyes: The eyes of a potato are small buds on the surface of the tuber. These buds can sprout and grow into new potato plants.

* Cuttings: In horticulture, the term "cuttings" usually refers to pieces of a plant that are used to propagate new plants. However, potato "cuttings" are typically seed potatoes - whole tubers with at least one "eye" that are planted to grow new potato plants.

Here's how potato cuttings are used for planting:

1. Choose seed potatoes: Select healthy, disease-free potatoes with multiple "eyes."

2. Cut the potatoes: Cut the potatoes into pieces, ensuring each piece has at least one "eye."

3. Plant the cuttings: Plant the cuttings in soil, with the "eye" facing upwards.

4. Grow new potato plants: The "eyes" will sprout and grow into new potato plants, eventually producing more tubers.

So, while "potato cuttings" is not a standard horticultural term, it's often used to refer to pieces of a potato that are planted to grow new plants.