Another potato question

[OliveOil]

I've just been down to the cellar which is v cool and dark and all my 2nd early and main crop pots are chitting like mad.

What should i do?

[OliveOil]

[tim]

Just put them in coolish light.

[OliveOil]

what about if i leave the cellar light on? will that be ok as i have nowhere else to put them... that will teach me for buying them too early!

[tim]

Oh, be difficult!!

Can't answer. I would not have thought that a tungsten bulb would do much to help - & cost you.

No window anywhere? They can be stacked in single rows to fit?

[Stevens706]

You can rub them off and they will chit again, this way at least you can delay the planting for a while.

[cornykev]

Let there be light.  ;D ;D ;D

[sawfish]

they need real light

[cornykev]

Let there be real light.   ;D ;D ;D

[caroline7758]

I've got exactly the same problem- think it may mean the cellar is a bit damp, which I know mine is. Like you, I haven't got a cool, light room in the house with any space in it. Think I'm just going to stop worrying & see what happens!

[sawfish]

better a warm light room than a cool dark one.

[tim]

Yes - don't worry - nature sorts things out in the end?

[OliveOil]

Ok OK I'll rub them off and bring them up to the light... Why oh why did i buy so many potatoes!

[tim]

Forgive the interruption but, surely, if you rub off the shoots, there's no need to put them in the light?

And, as we've seen several times, even 6" or so shoots can be successfully planted. So why worry?

[philcooper]

Ok OK I'll rub them off and bring them up to the light... Why oh why did i buy so many potatoes!

Please note that if you rub out the sprouts those eyes will not produce more sprouts. If there are plenty of eyes that haven't sprouted (not chitted - that is the process of inducing sprouts) then you should be ok.

If there aren't any more eyes then leave the sprouts, bring them into the light - try a flourescent one if you can't get to the sun, and plant carefully so as not to break off the sprouts (lay them horizontally) and all should be well.

Phil

BTW, you can't buy too many potatoes  ;)

[Froglegs]

Yes - don't worry - nature sorts things out in the end?

Iwill second that ;)

[kt.]

I have 1 early, 1 2nd early & 4 main crop in my lottie shed. It has no window, theyt have been there about 5 weeks. Not one has chitted. Will be moving earlies & 2nd earlies to the greenhouse this weekend to start.

[philcooper]

But, Tim...

There is the story of the old gardener who was accosted on his magnificent plot by the local vicar who said words to the effect that wasn't God's work wonderful.

The gardener's reply was roughly "Yes but you should have seen the state it got into when He was left to look after it on His own"

......Will be moving earlies & 2nd earlies to the greenhouse this weekend to start

Watch out for the high temps you can get on sunny days in the greenhouse in March

Phil

[Froglegs]

I have 1 early, 1 2nd early & 4 main crop in my lottie shed. It has no window, theyt have been there about 5 weeks. Not one has chitted. Will be moving earlies & 2nd earlies to the greenhouse this weekend to start.

I would not worry i don't chitt my spuds!. and i allways get a good crop. ;D                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

Yes - don't worry - nature sorts things out in the end?

[davy1]

Ok OK I'll rub them off and bring them up to the light... Why oh why did i buy so many potatoes!

If you are are going to rub off the tubers make chips with them other wise they will be waisted