[gowing238]

Hi,

Bought my potato seed yesterday. I have put them, in their brown paper bags into a cardboard box in an unheated room in the house. Is this a good way to keep until im ready to chit them or has anyone got any suggestions for me!?

cheers

[pottingtales]

Hi,

listened to a talk from Medwyn Williams at a local garden centre yesterday and he mentioned a cool light place.  I bought four varieties this morning and they are all sitting on the conservatory floor.

This is the first time I have tried to grow them so a bit of trial and error.

Mahalo

[Fisherman]

To chit them place them in an egg box or seed tray with eyes (buds) pointing upwards and store them in a cool, light frost free place. A conservatory is fine as long as its frost proof. I like the buds to grow about 20mm before planting. Any bigger than that and they become prone to snapping.

If you don't want to chitt them yet they need to be stored in cool dark place even in a fridge as long as it stays above freezing.

[Ivor Backache]

It takes about 6 weeks for chitting, that takes you to the middle of March- 2 weeks later the clocks move forward. I am right on the coast and don't really get frost so I aim to plant about then. My earlies have started chitting and my second earlies are laid out.  The main crop will be laid out next week but chitting is not as important for them.

You would want earlies early, if it is just to avoid the higher shop prices. They should be laid out in the light, otherwise you will have long white thin useless shoots. If you think it is still too early chit three, with the intention of growing in a bag in the greenhouse.

[gowing238]

Thanks for your replys, but i think you have mis read what i was askin!! I know all about how to chit potatoes, but i want to know how i go about storing them until im ready to start that chitting process off!!!

[Ivor Backache]

I have assumed you have bought earlies but you haven't said which.
If you have bought earlies I think you should be chitting and not storing.
Decide when you want to plant and chit 6 weeks beforehand.  By all means keep them in your box but I am finding that last years crop kept in black bags in my shed have already started to chit.

[gowing238]

i bought earlies, second and maincrop. so chiiting should start now then for earlies is it?

[Yorkie]

Yes - though there's nothing to stop you chitting all of them if you want. 

[Salmo]

If you want to store them they must be kept cool. This can be in the dark but you should look at them every day or two. Eventually the days will get warmer and the chits will start to grow. At that point they will need to come into the light which prevents the chits from growing long and white.

[GreenOwl]

I asked that question about 10 days ago:

http://chat.allotment-garden.org/index.php?topic=50175.0

The general consensus is to keep them cool.  Its the warmth that starts them chitting.  Lady at the Garden Centre recommended light as well so that if they do start to chit at least you get good chits!

[skewball]

Hi, I could do with a bit of advice on Chitting.

I have my earlies and second earlies laid out in the garage next to the window. They are covered with fleece to stop frost (garage is frost free anyway I think). However, it’s clearly very cold in the garage and they are not chitting yet.

As we are now about 6 weeks away from the traditional planting time (mid march?) so I’m concerned I need to get them going.

I do not have a suitable space in the house for them as I have no conservatory and the rest of the house stays very warm (too warm I would assume). So how can I get them going, should I bring them in for a couple of weeks?

Any advice welcome, cheers

[DD.]

Wouldn't worry.

Mine are in a greenhouse with a bit of heat & showing no signs.

6 weeks to go yet - why's everyone in a busting hurry!

[skewball]

Wouldn't worry.

Mine are in a greenhouse with a bit of heat & showing no signs.

6 weeks to go yet - why's everyone in a busting hurry!

Cheers, I will let nature take its course!

[Salmo]

You should bring them into the warm for a few days to break their dormancy. When you can see the chits growing return them to the garage. I would only bother to do this with earlies.

[royh]

Hi DD

New to this site so can't email you.

Can you tell me a good source (Free or very cheap) for muck in the Lobro area.

I can get hold of a flatbed but limited to mileage I can do.