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chitting potatoes

• Message 1. 

  Posted by smilingrosie2 (U10973578) on Saturday, 8th January 2011

  hi, bought some seed potatoes, do i start chitting them now, is it best 2 keep them in an unheated green house, or an unheated conservatry .

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• Message 2

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by Tee Gee (U10012255) on Saturday, 8th January 2011

  Yes!
  
  
  Does not matter so long as it is frost free,dry and they get plenty of light

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• Message 3

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by As_Iff (U13951957) on Saturday, 8th January 2011

  Personally I think it`s too early to start chitting them. I`d hold them back for a few weeks, if possibly, by keeping them dark and cool, but not frozen.
  The reason is - they cannot be planted out until mid-March at the earliest, or April in some districts.
  The stalks that grow will be very long and straggly by then.
  

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• Message 4

  , in reply to message 3.

  Posted by zoomer44 (U14019069) on Saturday, 8th January 2011

  Can home grown spuds be used for chitting this year.
  
  I have a few main crop spuds left from last year, they were a wee bit small to peel, about golf ball size, they've been kept in the dark but have tiny shoots.

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• Message 5

  , in reply to message 4.

  Posted by David K (U14115317) on Sunday, 9th January 2011

  Can home grown spuds be used for chitting this year. 
  
  Not really, zoomer. Seed potatoes should be certified as virus free when buying.
  
  
  
  First of all experiments have proved that only early varieties of potatoes gain any advantage from chitting and now is the time to be doing it.
  
  As this seems to be a FAQ, I wrote this & keep it on file:
  
  ‘Once home, seed tubers are best 'chitted' or sprouted.
  Unpack and lay the tubers out in a single layer in a tray with the 'rose' end uppermost.
  This end has the most eyes or buds and sprouts will arise from these. Some suppliers offer 'pre-chitted' seed.
  
  Keep the trays of tubers in a cool but frost-free place with at least moderate light, such as in an unheated room.
  Direct sunlight is best avoided. Sprouts will form within a few weeks. The tuber is therefore ready to grow away as soon as planted.
  
  Tubers can be laid out to chit from January onwards, but planting should be delayed until March in sheltered and southern areas or April in less favoured districts.
  Earlier plantings can rot in the ground or the shoots can be frosted off on sharp nights. By this time the sprouts should be about 5cm (2in) long and dark coloured. Longer thinner sprouts are caused by excess heat or too little light or both, and tiny sprouts suggest conditions are too cold.
  
  Chitting takes about six weeks.’
  
  

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• Message 6

  , in reply to message 5.

  Posted by Tee Gee (U10012255) on Sunday, 9th January 2011

  My thoughts exactly Dave,I omitted to add this link to my reply which more or less states the same as yours;
  
  
  
  btw hope you have a few more FAQ's up your sleeve to answer all the perennial questions that will be asked over the next few months

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• Message 7

  , in reply to message 1.

  Posted by Ladyscarecrow (U14747601) on Sunday, 9th January 2011

  Hi ,
  I just wanted to let you know that last year I chitted the potatoes early and planted them on the allotment when the green shoots were about 1" tall and then the heavy frost came and blackened all the tops and affected the plants so badly I had a very small crop this year so I know its frustrating to have to wait but there is no gain to being impatient ! Even March can be a dodgy month.
  Just keep the potatoes cool and frost free for as long as you can bear to - they will catch up when the soil conditions and weather is right.

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• Message 8

  , in reply to message 7.

  Posted by smilingrosie2 (U10973578) on Sunday, 9th January 2011

  thank you every one for your comments, think i will wait a few weeks

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• Message 9

  , in reply to message 5.

  Posted by shell53 (U14748676) on Monday, 10th January 2011

  Thanks very much for that info....I was thinking of growing some potatoes but had no idea what chitting meant....you can tell I'm new at this.
  
  Thanks again

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• Message 10

  , in reply to message 7.

  Posted by Tee Gee (U10012255) on Monday, 10th January 2011

  I have to ask the question!
  
  you say;
  
  I chitted the potatoes early and planted them on the allotment when the green shoots were about 1" tall and then the heavy frost came and blackened all the tops  
  
  I ask; how deep did you plant them?
  
  The reason I ask is; When I plant my chitted potatoes I bury the 'chits' but I am getting the impression you left your chits above ground.
  
  I am very curious! can you clarify this for me please?
  
  

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• Message 11

  , in reply to message 5.

  Posted by zoomer44 (U14019069) on Monday, 10th January 2011

  Thanks for your reply David.
  
  II was thinknig of going to a potato fair this year if the one near me is on so will get fresh spuds there and not bother with the old ones from last year.

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• Message 12

  , in reply to message 10.

  Posted by Ladyscarecrow (U14747601) on Wednesday, 12th January 2011

  Hi Tee Gee,
  
  Sorry if that was confusing this is what I did .....
  
  I made long mounds of earth about 9" high (looked like I had buried someone)! then planted the potatoes deep into the mound so they were covered mostly - some may have been still showing the leaves slightly and they grew away quite happily and looked very green and healthy perhaps for about 6 weeks until the dreaded frost came one night (should have checked the weather forecast I suppose) it was so severe that it not only affected the leaves blackening and killing them but the tubers as well because of the poor crop. I didnt touch them just thought it best to see what transpired. We are in Surrey but the allotment is very open and windy.
  
  I am definately going to be more cautious this year and check the weather. I have old net curtains at the ready to fling over and peg down to protect my precious crop. Cara, Maris Bard, Pentland Javelin, Charlotte & Sarpo Mira.
  
  Hope this info helps
  
  regards Ladyscarecrow

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• Message 13

  , in reply to message 12.

  Posted by Tee Gee (U10012255) on Wednesday, 12th January 2011

  Thanks Lsc
  
  You could also try something different e.g.
  
  I don't earth up my potatoes right away.
  
  Initially I use a bulb planter to plant them out and I just leave the soil flat on top.
  
  Once the tops emerge I pull soil over them (earthing up) and this protects them from late frosts for another couple of weeks.
  
  Usually by the time they pop through again the frosts have passed.
  
  The other benefit is; potatoes no matter how straight you plant them! the tops seem to always come out of the side of the mound.
  
  At least this way you can cover them so that they are in the centre of the mound (drill).

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• Message 14

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  Posted by Ladyscarecrow (U14747601) on Wednesday, 12th January 2011

  Thanks Tee Gee will give your method a try this year - been thinkin about buying a dutch hoe so now my mind is made up - got to have one for earthing up when necessary ! Garden centre here I come.
  
  

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• Message 15

  , in reply to message 14.

  Posted by Houdy222 (U8365378) on Wednesday, 12th January 2011

  Don't you need a draw hoe for earthing up?? Or have I got it totally wrong?

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• Message 16

  , in reply to message 15.

  Posted by Oldends (U13875463) on Wednesday, 12th January 2011

  Yes, Houdy222, it is a draw hoe you need, bit like a narrow rake with the teeth filled in. Even better is this magnificent but superbly priced gutsier version...

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• Message 17

  , in reply to message 15.

  Posted by Tee Gee (U10012255) on Wednesday, 12th January 2011

  Don't you need a draw hoe for earthing up??  
  
  Yes but I prefer a 'mattock' it is more versatile and stronger.
  
  It can be used to dig the trench, fill the trench and earth up.
  
  I also use it to scutch off the weeds on the footpaths between my beds.
  
  see here;
  
  note; click on pictures to enlarge!

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• Message 18

  , in reply to message 17.

  Posted by Oldends (U13875463) on Wednesday, 12th January 2011

  The tool shown in the Amazon link above is exactly that, a mattock or Canterbury hoe or even a Chillington hoe. Yes, it's a great tool and at the price above unmissable.

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• Message 19

  , in reply to message 16.

  Posted by Houdy222 (U8365378) on Wednesday, 12th January 2011

  The picture of the mattock\Canterbury hoe looks to be a bit heavy and cumbersome. Is this the case or is it lighter than it looks?
  
  It certainly looks like it will do the job and looks a good tool for digging a trench
  

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