[m1ckz]

just back from shops,,i got 6 bags of pentland javelin and 2 of marris peer,an they look real good,i intend to chit them in cold conservatory is this suitable an should i start now or wait a while

[Yorkie]

Is the conservatory frost free?

[arugula]

Its a bit early to start chitting yet.

[m1ckz]

yes   its frost free

[prakash_mib]

Too early m1ckz. Make sure you have frost free, no sunlight non heated zone ( yes that's everything).  If you can't find all just put them in garage or olft without sunlight and start chatting them in feb.

[Kristen]

I'm interested folk say too early to start chitting.

I have always started mine chitting the moment they arrive (often first week of January). I've never had chits longer than about 1/2" - 3/4" by the time I come to plant them.

Is there some benefit in storing them first?

[DD.]

Mine go straight into the frost free greenhouse for chitting as soon as I get them. (In a couple of weeks, I hope).

[prakash_mib]

I'm interested folk say too early to start chitting.

I have always started mine chitting the moment they arrive (often first week of January). I've never had chits longer than about 1/2" - 3/4" by the time I come to plant them.

Is there some benefit in storing them first?

Not really... Kirsten.. All u need is three things I've mentioned. Give one a miss you get white sprouts or rot. Not a problem if u start early  .

[JayG]

I start chitting mine as soon as I've bought them (usually early Jan) on a north facing windowsill in a partially-heated bedroom (i.e. frost-free, but not actually particularly cold.)

They chit slowly away for months with no attention whatsoever (any spares usually get chucked away in August when it is too late to plant, by which time they still have healthy short green/purple chits even though the tubers are a bit shrivelled.)

Frost is the real killer, dark and warm is also bad news because they will produce long, weak, white chits which would need to be rubbed off and started chitting again from scratch in lighter, cooler conditions.