[SalJ1980]

I've had my spuds out on the windowsills to chit for about 3 weeks now, the Maris Piper, Kestrel, Pentland Javelins and Arran Pilots are all doing well but the Pink Fir Apples don't seem to be doing much at all. They are on the same window sill as the Kestrels so should be getting the same amount of light. Does this type of spud just not chit very well? The biggest 'buds' that I can see are about the size of a large pinhead, whereas some of the other varieties are up to about an inch or so.

[mumofstig]

Am i right in thinking the other spuds are earlier varieties. Whereas i believe the PFA are late, they may  have decided not to wake up yet!

[Salmo]

The PFAs are OK. They are always very slow to get going. Chit them as much as they will and plant them.

[SalJ1980]

Thanks Salmo, that's reassuring! 

Good point MumofStig, thought the Maris Pipers are maincrop too and are much further ahead. Will do as Salmo says.

Now I'm wondering why I'm planting 5 types of spuds, when OH and I only eat potatoes about once a week?! 

[Salmo]

Nothing like the very first boiling of earlies. PFAs are wonderful cooked whole as chips. Pipers make good bakers and so on. That is why!!!

[spongebob]

i was going to ask the same question

same here all my other spuds have started to chit but my PFA have not yet

[Carol]

My PFA didn't really chit much last year, but I put them in anyway and they did just fine. 

[titch]

My pfa's are slow too, but as long as they have a bit i'm sure they will grow - its my first time 

[JulesJ]

My PFAs have 1" chits; I was wondering if they were a bit over-eager!

[lacewing]

Too much heat perhaps,  mine are inside the shed window and are just starting to shoot.

[horsepooisgood]

Mine are the same as yours Lacewing so no worries

[senrab_nhoj]

My pfa's are slow too, but as long as they have a bit i'm sure they will grow - its my first time 

Even if they aren't showing the will grow regardless once you've bunged them in (that is the technical term on here isn't it )

[strangerachael]

They did a trial on gardener's world a couple of years ago, chitted vs non-chitted, and concluded it made little or no difference! I think we only do it because it makes us feel like we're 'getting started' - I know I do 

[humanrotivator]

I never chit my spuds and they all grow fine,ive planted mine this week and i live in co durham.I also dont take any notice what people say about heat differance from north to south, as i have got veg books dating from 70s to present day and they all say plant 2 weeks after the south .Do they not realise that climates have changed over the last 30 yrs, i find that you can plant at least 2-3 wks earlier than what we did in the 70s.

[Salmo]

The Gardeners World comparison showed little difference because they were looking for the wrong thing.
Earlies.   
Chitting advances the life cycle which means that earlies bulk up earlier and that first special digging is earlier. If they are left to complete bulking and and then compared there is probably little difference in final yield.
Maincrop.
If your potatoes are chitted and waiting it does not matter if planting is delayed, by excessive rain for instance. If you are late planting the chitted ones hit the ground running and will usually produce the best yield. If the season is perfect then there may well be little difference, as on Gardeners World.