[Eblana]

Hi All looking for some advice on chatting main crop potatoes.

I have always chitted my spuds in my shed which would be cold and brightish but not sunny.  I have just been watching a gardening programme on Irish TV (sooooo good to have a gardening programme at this time of year) and the presenter was chitting his potatoes in his polytunnel.  Which is better?

[fatcat1955]

The tunnel as long as it is frost free.

[DD.]

I agree. It's important to have good light or you'll end up with long, white, spindly chits.

Mine are in a frost free greenhouse.

[Rexmundi]

Is it ok to have them on a upstairs hall north facing window sill? I'm wondering if this will be too warm for them. The temp must be around 16 degrees. Do you think I should put them in my shed - again I have a north facing window in it. Thanks

[DD.]

I'd favour the shed, but be prepared to whip them inside if a frost is forecast.

[Rexmundi]

Thanks for that. Have had them on the window sill for nearly a week and one seed potato has start to leak a small amount of liquid. Is this to be expected? Or a sign that its rotting? Thanks

[mumofstig]

It's rotting - it may have got frosted somewhere along the line 

[JayG]

Hold your nose when you remove the offending spud and be careful where you put it (there probably are worse smells than rotting potato tubers but I can't think of an example of one at the moment!) 

[BLOOMING LOVELY]

Ooh err, have got my spuds sprouting in egg boxes on  the windowsill of a unheated bedroom. I also have a plastic greenhouse (one of the very cheap ones) which in your opinion everyone, is the better place.

[Yorkie]

I'd personally use the unheated bedroom - the cheap plastic greenhouses offer very little insulation and you run the risk of forgetting the spuds if a frost occurs.

[Eblana]

Thanks folks for the advice will move them up to the PT at the weekend.

[mumofstig]

but make sure they stay frost free 

[Eblana]

Will do

[Rexmundi]

Do you know if it is possible to divide potatoes once shoots have developed and prior to planting? I'm thinking if it's possible to double the plants? Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks

[mumofstig]

The OBs used to divide large potatoes, but in a damp soil you  run the risk of them rotting