Topic: Sprouting potatoes?!

[boxingtortoise]

I have bought some potatoes to sprout. I have heard that the area has to be light, but not hot and not liable to frost or animal interference. My flat is central heated and gets quite warm but the kitchen remains quite lukewarm. I am on the ground  floor and have a balcony but there are lots of mice and foxes around, if this makes a difference. My shed has a window but is reasonably dark and i cannot guarantee frost will not get in there, can i?

What can i do?

[rdak]

hi
I would be tempted to put them in the kitchen if that's the coolest place- although keep an eye on the amount of moisture in the air- not good for potatoes. Maybe put half in kitchen and half in another room and keep a close eye on them?

[Piglet]

i usually turn a radiator down to 1, in the spare room and put them in eggboxes on the floor, cool room with light.

Piglet

[Hot_Potato]

Hi B.T. Got a similar problem to you living in a flat but it's on first floor and very warm - have put mine in egg boxes on newspaper on quarry tiled window cill against a window I have to open a bit every day....temperature is fluctuating between 55 and 65F....probably too high but it's the coolest and only space I've got!!...

Been there 9 days and now got some nice healthy looking shoots...hope they don't grow too fast, as you're not supposed to put them out until March are you....how long should the shoots be before planting please?....

[philcooper]

The important bit to get sturdy sprouts is to get the light/heat balance right.

Is piglet suggesting not putting them in the window - that's a mistake I think.

If they do grow too rapidly you can slow them down by bunging them (carefully) in the salad compartment of the fridge this will effectively stop growth

On height, a couple of inches is ideal, but if they are longer, don't worry, you'll just have to be carefull they don't break off as you are planting them. Trials have been done with sprouts up to 12" long and they were quite satisfactory