The growth of a potato plant can be broken down into five stages: 1) Sprout Development - The eyes of the potato sprout and emerge from the soil, using energy stored in the seed potato. 2) Vegetative Growth - Leaves, stems, roots and stolons develop as the plant grows above ground. 3) Tuber Set/Initiation - Small tubers form at the ends of stolons, around the size of jelly beans. 4) Tuber Bulking - Tuber cells expand and accumulate water, nutrients and carbohydrates as tubers enlarge greatly in size. 5) Maturation - Vines die back as photosynthesis decreases and tuber growth