[Robin Redbreast]

so if thats the case why do they chit in the first place mmmmmmh? thats not meant to sound sarcastic either.  

[Ice]

Dunno.  It might give them a small advantage time wise.  Someone on here said they don't bother to chit and it seems others don't either so I tried it out and it worked ok.

[Robin Redbreast]

so ican both put them all in at the same time and not chit too. wheyheeeey!
 coz i can be really lazy at times. i am all up for energy consuming it gives me more time to consume alcohol(whoohoooooo....)!            

[Aunt Sally]

Did you read the link I posted for you alandkell ?

[Robin Redbreast]

yes but i dont think it explains the argument for not chitting, or did i not read enough? :shock:

[Ice]

Not chitting is a bit controversial, you might be better off just googling for an answer.

[Aunt Sally]

There were some trials about it recently

Earlies and second earlies benefit from chitting but main crop may not.

I chit'em all  

[Robin Redbreast]

i am still a little lost as to the total benefit of chitting do they grow better or faster or larger? :shock:

[shaun]

i am still a little lost as to the total benefit of chitting do they grow better or faster or larger? :shock:

chitted spuds get a quicker crop its a head start if you like

[Robin Redbreast]

ok loverly thankyou everyone for your answers and info i feel much less thick now! lol.  will let you know which methods i choose ande tell the results!

[Salmo]

If you plant potatoes that are not chitted their dormancy is not broken and if the soil is cold they may sit there for some time before they start to grow. If it very wet they may even rot.

Chitted seed has shoots with little baubles round the base of each which are developing roots. When they are planted off they go with no delay.

Chitted earlies will start to develop even if the soil is still cold, as it often is in March. This allows a root system to develop quicker and tuber formation will be sooner.

If you chit maincrop seed then they can wait until conditions are right. If it is very wet or cold there is no need to hurry with the planting. Unchitted maincrop really has to be planted to get it growing. If you delay unchitted seed will chit and unless they are in the light the chits will grow long and probably be knocked off when planting.

If you plant a chitted seed alongside an unchitted seed and dig them up after 2 weeks you will find that the chitted seed has roots and shoots whereas the unchitted seed  only has shoots and no roots.

[Robin Redbreast]

now i am confused! as this means that if i dont chit that i have much less chance of an abundant crop am i right? :shock:

[mkhenry]

I just had to add the following even though I risk getting stuffed back onto the naughty step.
If you chit you should/could get a better/ healthy/ frost resistant/ more abundant crop.

However if we have a good start to the season weather wise IE. no frost chitting or not chitting makes no difference.  The trouble is that by the time you know what the weather is at plant out time its too late.  So I always chit just in case.

For every gardener who chits there is another who does not. The trick really is in the soil preparation.  Shaun/bodger/Aunty/DD/Richy and the like will get a good crop whatever for that very reason. The soil will be warm enough, it will be in good hart, and the tilth will be almost spot on.

Chitting is just the icing on the cake.  

[Salmo]

Earlies are always worth chitting and also worth planting good and early. This is risk taking but new potatoes in early June are wonderful.

Given a perfect potato planting conditions in March/April then there is probably not a lot gained with maincrop. However, March/April can be wet and cold and this is when chitting gives an advantage.

[Robin Redbreast]

oooooooh naughty but nice i like the honesty in that answer thanks. that makes a lot of sense!