[Lucy Danning]

Hello,
I bought some 'kestrel' second earlies a few weeks ago and have had them in my (dark) understairs cupboard. They seem to have chitted themselves! and have sprouted multiple sprouts about 3" long. All of my books tell me that you chit them in the light and it takes about 6 weeks - so now what do I do?! I wasn't planning on planting them 'til the end of April as I am north of Aberdeen.
Thanks

[muntjac]

knock them off and more will come agin  

[WG.]

I am north of Aberdeen

Far aboots, Lucy?  I am between Huntly and Dufftown

[Lucy Danning]

I'm near Maud

[king cauli]

aye dinny ken wat ya talkin aboot

[WG.]

I'm near Maud

That's a shame for you ... only joking!

Jack Webster, the journalist and author, was born and raised in Honeyneuk Farm, Maud - is he still there, is he still alive?  Great friends with the Forbes family of New Deer (yes, they of Forbes Magazine and www.forbes.com).  Jack's autobiographies, A[nother] Grain of Truth, have got a few very amusing stories in them.

About your spuds:  Yes, knock the lanky sprouts off but I'd be tempted to plant them after that.  I have much frostier weather than you and my tatties are already planted.   My theory is that planting them earlier allows the root to develop and not simply the sprout.

[Lucy Danning]

Well we all get like that occasionally don't we.  :shock:
Going back to potatoes, should I pull the shoots off & put them in the dark again or can I chit them yet?

[WG.]

About your spuds:  Yes, knock the lanky sprouts off but I'd be tempted to plant them after that

Don't put them back in that cupboard.  The only dark place suitable is under the ground.  Or chit them in full light in a cold (not centrally heated) place.  A frost-free shed, greenhouse, or sitootery (a.k.a. conservatory).