How big do potato chitts need to be?

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WeavingGryphon

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How big do potato chitts need to be?
« on: April 07, 2020, 07:59 »
How big do the roots on a potato need to be?
We're wanting to plant in the next couple of days and the potatoes are being a bit slow to chitt. They range from is that a chit? to maybe half an centemetre. Nowhere near as big as these You Tube videos which is what we usually aim for.
Should we dig, dig dig and plant in a few days time? Or plant as we go?

I've just found one that's got the most lurid purple chits, that's almost alarming.

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JayG

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Re: How big do potato chitts need to be?
« Reply #1 on: April 07, 2020, 08:07 »
Size doesn't matter, purple is a very healthy colour (for chits!)
They're good to go in now if you want to - just need to be mindful of possible frosts where you are when the shoots emerge.
Sow your seeds, plant your plants. What's the difference? A couple of weeks or more when answering possible queries!

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mumofstig

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Re: How big do potato chitts need to be?
« Reply #2 on: April 07, 2020, 08:11 »
The chits are different colours on different potatoes, some are purple, especially the red skinned or re-fleshed varieties  :D
They don't have to be chitted to be planted and trials showed that chitting makes early varieties ready a couple of weeks earlier, but no difference to the others. So just bear that in mind when working out when the earlies may be ready...

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WeavingGryphon

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Re: How big do potato chitts need to be?
« Reply #3 on: April 07, 2020, 08:41 »
We're planning for all main crop.

Given what you've said we'll get the soil all prepared and plant later this week.
We're hoping that we get some rain as it's like a biscuit up here

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WeavingGryphon

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Re: How big do potato chitts need to be?
« Reply #4 on: April 07, 2020, 08:45 »
These are pink and white, pink and green, repeat for a bit, white and HIGHLIGHTER PURPLE, caught me by surprise.

Modify to ask another stupid question, does anyone add grass clippings to their potato trenches like the no dig suggests?
« Last Edit: April 07, 2020, 08:47 by WeavingGryphon »

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Yorkie

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Re: How big do potato chitts need to be?
« Reply #5 on: April 07, 2020, 21:34 »
No, I don't follow the no dig approach.  I add potato fertiliser when planting out though.
I try to take one day at a time, but sometimes several days all attack me at once...

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Robster

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Re: How big do potato chitts need to be?
« Reply #6 on: April 08, 2020, 16:22 »
Yes I’ve added grass clippings around the plant stems as they emerge. I Thought it was a useful mulch. I haven’t put them in the planting hole. Chicken pellets go in there when I have them.

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WeavingGryphon

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Re: How big do potato chitts need to be?
« Reply #7 on: April 10, 2020, 08:14 »
Yes I’ve added grass clippings around the plant stems as they emerge. I Thought it was a useful mulch. I haven’t put them in the planting hole. Chicken pellets go in there when I have them.

We were wondering would the moss eat the potatoes.

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Yorkie

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Re: How big do potato chitts need to be?
« Reply #8 on: April 12, 2020, 21:05 »

We were wondering would the moss eat the potatoes.

Nope  :)


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