Potatoes chitting upside down?

[caroline7758]

I set my potatoes chitting a few weeks ago in an egg box, as I always do. About half of them have nice dark sprouts on them but the others seemed to be doing nothing. When I lifted them out of the box i found they all had nobbly white/yellow sprouts on the under side. Did I put them in the wrong way up (never had a problem in previous years) or has something else caused this?Should I put them back with the yellow bits on top now?

[caroline7758]

[bluecar]

Hello Caroline.

Yes, you've put them upside down and they will soon recover if you turn them over. Sometimes its not easy to tell where the eyes are and I always check the other side if some do not seem to be spouting.

Regards

Bluecar

[caroline7758]

Thanks, bluecar, that's easily sorted!

[jimtheworzel]

Thanks, bluecar, that's easily sorted!

until next season

[saddad]

If they are still looking confused when you plant them lay them on their sides...

[goodlife]

It don't really matter what way up they are..if they are chitting, the way they are is ok for them.
We gardeners tend to cosset our treasures.. if you think of farmers, their machines drop their spuds what ever way they land and they still grow  ....or how about accidental 'composters' or those left behind from previous crop...they've been turned upside down many times and yet up they come and often where they are not wanted.

[Chrispy]

If they are still looking confused when you plant them lay them on their sides...

The roots have to grow down as well as the shoots growing up, so I always plant mine on their sides.

[GREGME]

Hi should be ok just make sure most chits/shoots are facing upwards when you plant and don't crush chits downwards into the soil.
I am not usually sure whether to plant a fingerling - pfa/ harlequin type potato downwards or sideways but it doesn't make much difference in trials so far.