[Benandbill]

You want the spindly shoots but as said above - they will chit again.

I've always pulled them off when they get quite long.  For some reason I've always done this when buying them with them on.  Do you think it's okay to plant tubers with approx 3" chits in future then, as I always assumed that was just too leggy?

[mumofstig]

They willgrow shoots but long spindly ones would only get broken off when you plant them.
You're aiming at short strong green (or purple in some varieties) chits for when you start planting.

Traditional spud planting day here - St Patrick's day is only 3 weeks away, so they shouldn't get too long before then  

[devonbarmygardener]

Traditional spud planting day here - St Patrick's day is only 3 weeks away, so they shouldn't get too long before then  

Oh yes - there's a few planting traditions on this day!
According to legend, peas and sweetpeas planted on the night of St Patricks' Day will grow abundantly and healthily.
Well they certainly did that particular year (2009).

As for potatoes, mine will probably be ready by then.
Here's to gardening legends!

[Welsh Merf]

I started chitting all my spuds on Friday just gone. They are in egg boxes in the spare bedroom, with the central heating turned off. The bedroom window is east-facing.

[aelf]

If the seed potatoes get lots of light, then the chits will be short strong and green which is good. If they are in shade then the chits will be long, pale and fragile (the chits are searching for the light) which is not so good.

A cool spot is ok as long as there is no risk of frost - it's the amount of light that is important for chitting. That said, many people don't chit at all but that is a whole other discussion 

As for planting times, I tend to be careful not to be in a rush. Mine go in, usually, around the beginning of April but only if the ground has warmed up a bit. Otherwise I wait a couple of weeks.