[Dopey113]

Ordered some spuds (from a well known retailer) and none of them has chitts on them, is this normal to send them out that way? if i have to do it myself, how long will it take for them to chitt?

[DD.]

If they're not chitted - don't worry, just plant them, it's not a necessity.

If they sent them out chitted, they'd probably only get knocked off in transit, in fact the supplier should be praised for storing them correctly.

[arugula]

It is normal for them to arrive like that. Chitting normally takes a few weeks in a cool, light position.

[Dopey113]

Ok thanks, didn't know I could plant them not chitted, worry over, in they go... thanks

[Salmo]

You can just plant them as they are and they will grow.

If they are earlies it may be worth putting them in a reasonably warm place for a day or two, just in the house, not in the airing cupboard or anything, and they will show chits within about a week. That will have broken their dormancy and will give them a bit of a start. Second earlies and maincrop do not need this as it does not matter if they take time to get started.

[Dopey113]

OK reading on the forum, looks like I will get a better crop if I do chitt them before I plant them, so for the sake of a week or so, I think I will wait until they chitt, at the end of the day that's what its all about getting a good crop from them, I got 3 varieties,

'Lady Christl'
'Sarpo Mira'
'Charlotte'

I only have 20 of each, so if they chitt well, I might cut them and make a better crop, I have been told, after I cut them, to put lime on the cut, or leave them a few days to dry off before planting, and I was told after I plant them, to put lime on top of the earth as well, is the lime thing true?

The reason I ask is because (I'm now to gardening and allotments) I got my allotment quite late last year and put some spuds in for Christmas I didn't get a lot as they had blight.... so I wonder if I did the right thing or not now??
Thanks

[mumofstig]

don't lime your potatoes they'll be scabby! 

You can cut the big ones but they do tend to rot if you do even if you let them dry over 

The Christmas potato thing is difficult to get right, blight and frost are problems if planted out. I think the only successful way is in tubs in a greenhouse .

[DD.]

Chitting breaks the dormancy. Does not mean you'll get a better crop, just a bit earlier than you might have.

They'll start to chit once you throw them in the soil, so you may as well get on with it.

And yes - whoever told you to lime the soil needs a severe talking to!

[Dopey113]

Thanks all, and DD yes I will give him a talking to  I will do it on Saturday I think, I have a lot to plant out this weekend, its definitely getting warmer in the evenings now

[Yorkie]

Gardeners World did an experiment several years ago on chitting.  There was no noticeable difference in yield between those which were, and were not, chitted.