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Plant was created by horticulturists grafting aubergine and potato plants
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It produces aubergines from its stem and potatoes from its roots
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The aubergines it produces are less bitter than other varieties
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‘Egg and Chips’ plant is available by mail order from Thompson & Morgan
A plant capable of producing at the same time two kinds of vegetables was developed by horticulturists. They spent years grafting the plant with two strains and finding the ideal varieties of potatoes and eggplants capable of developing under such conditions.
Horticulturalists have spent years carrying out grafting trials to produce the dual-cropping plant named ‘Egg and Chips’ which grows aubergines, also known as eggplants, from its stem, and potatoes from its roots.
Experts experimented with more than 20 varieties of aubergine before selecting one that was deemed best for size and performance.
Is it a ‘potagine’ or an ‘aubertato’? A new plant that can grow both aubergines, also known as eggplants, and potatoes in the same pot has been developed for the first time.
They then carefully cut the delicate 2 inch-tall (5 cm) stems of the aubergine and potato plants in half at an identical angle before grafting them together.
The lower end of the potato plant and the top part of the aubergine naturally fused together and continued to grow.The end result is an average batch of four big purple coloured vegetables on the stem, with 4.5lbs (2kg) of potatoes under the soil.
Experts experimented with more than 20 varieties of aubergine before selecting one that was deemed best for size and performance.
They then cut the stems of the aubergine and potato plants in half before grafting them together. The lower end of the potato plant and the top part of the aubergine naturally fused together and grew.
Experts are not disclosing the exact variety of aubergine and potatoes used in the grafting for fear their work will be copied.
The two vegetables belong to the same plant family, known as the Solanaceae or nightshade.
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WHEN TWO PLANTS BECAME ONE
Horticulturalists spent years carrying out grafting trials to produce the dual-cropping plant which grows aubergines from its stem and potatoes from its roots.
Experts at Suffolk-based Thompson & Morgan experimented with more than 20 varieties of aubergine, also known as eggplants, before selecting one that was deemed best for size and performance.
They then carefully cut the delicate 2 inch-tal (5 cm) stems of the aubergine and potato plants in half at an identical angle before grafting them together.
The lower end of the potato plant and the top part of the aubergine then naturally fused together and continued to grow.
A spokesman said the new dual-cropping plants will save space and are ideal for keen growers with small gardens, or confined spaces like a balcony.
It is also hoped the wacky product will excite children and get them interested in horticulture.Experts are not disclosing the exact variety of aubergine and potatoes used in the grafting for fear their work will be copied.
The two vegetables belong to the same plant family, known as the Solanaceae or nightshade.
It is said the hardy potato plant supports the more delicate aubergine far better than its own root system can in British soil.
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The new plant can grow in most sunny, sheltered spots in the garden, or in a pot on a patio or balcony.
Michael Perry, the product development manager for Suffolk-based Thompson & Morgan, said: ‘Egg and Chips is a real innovation.
‘For seasoned veg growers this is a really novel development.
‘For those without the luxury of an allotment or large vegetable patch it makes the most of available space in the garden.
‘Even the smallest patio or balcony can accommodate a pot-grown Egg and Chips plant.
‘The aubergine variety chosen for the grafting process is a modern strain that has had the bitterness bred out of it – so you can simply pick, chop and cook it.’
‘[This] dispels the myth that you need to salt, wash and dry aubergines to draw out bitter juices before cooking – a laborious chore that has put many people off growing these Mediterranean plants in the UK.
The aubergines can be harvested at the end of summer and it is recommended to dig out the potatoes two weeks later.
