During storage sprout growth was linearly related to the amount of available tuber substrate. Plants grown in nutrient solution were also highly dependent on the reserves of the parent tuber until a relatively late stage of development. Light intensity and daylength only slightly influenced sprout growth: temperature and variety were of considerable importance. Increase in sprout size at the time of planting caused earlier emergence and tuber initiation but the relative rate of plant growth was reduced. The principal weather factors which modified tuber initiation and growth were temperature and radiation: daylength was relatively unimportant. The different optimum temperatures during development suggest a technique for obtaining higher tuber yields.