Posted: Fri Feb 18, 05 2:19 pm Post subject: Chitting Potatos
If you've never done it before nows the time to start (actually a couple of weeks ago was, but it's not too late yet).
Wherever you are in the country seed potatoes, especially first or second earlies benefit greatly from being exposed to light in a frost free place for a couple of weeks prior to planting, producing some shoots, this process is called chitting.
Chitting is done because even though the soil in most of the UK is too cold to plant potatoes just yet they can start into growth and will have a head start when they are eventually planted.
If you prefer fewer bigger spuds rub off most of the shoots prior to planting.
judith
Joined: 16 Dec 2004 Posts: 22789 Location: Montgomeryshire
Posted: Fri Feb 18, 05 2:23 pm Post subject:
Would you chit them indoors, Tahir, or is warmth not so important?
Guest
Posted: Fri Feb 18, 05 2:23 pm Post subject:
Large tubers can be cut into two to give bigger yields; let the cut heal over well in advance of planting, or it will rot.
And yes, it's OK if they go soft and wrinkly (isn't it, Tahir?), this won't harm the growing potential at all.
Is there an argument for not chitting, or chitting late? I've had great success with keepign my spuds in the dark and just lobbing them in the soil. I tend to think that the biggest advantage of chitting is that the crop is all ready at the same time and a bit sooner, but if you don't manage it, just plant with the eyes up and you'll get a harvest.
I do chit, because it's easier for me to keep them somewhere light than somewhere dark
My dad never ever chitted till a couple of years ago when i found out about it. Like you say the main benefit (I assume) is an earlier crop.
wellington womble
Joined: 08 Nov 2004 Posts: 15051 Location: East Midlands
Posted: Fri Feb 18, 05 6:02 pm Post subject:
just don't leave them in the box they come in, as they grow loads of spaghetti like white shoots, and its a nightmare trying to get them out of the nets! Don't ask how I know!
I put mine on to chit a couple of weeks ago in the porch, but they don't seem to have done anything yet!
If you've got the space and the time it can be worth putting a couple in to to a bucket, big pot or bag of compost...you can bring them on a little earlier and have fresh potatoes earlier in the summer.
The first potatoes I ever grew were when we lived in a flat and had only a patio garden, OH let me plant some supermarket ones (he's grown them properly since a little boy) in a big tub, and we managed just about a serving for my birthday. The only way is up from there
The only way is up from there 
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