Too Late to Chit?

[SpacePotato]

Potatoes,

i have read they can take up to 6 weeks to be ready, which kind of rules out earlies?

I have devoted a sizeable space 4 me spuds and was hoping to try rows of earlies, maincrop and lates....Also thinking of growing through black plastic to keep the weeds down. Is strong black plastic (e.g bin bags) any good?

I only have access to a small amount of compost, (and no manure) will this be a major problem? And finally; has any one had a good crop from 'wilko' brought spuds?

Sorry, lots of questions, excited bout me spuds really; just hope i'm not to late!

[SpacePotato]

[Merry Tiller]

Chitting isn't totally necessary, just preferable

[redimp]

Bung them in and keep your fingers crossed - put something organic in with them just to keep them happy.  Chitting only gives them a head start.

[philcooper]

SP,

Certified seed potatoes are certified seed potatoes where ever you buy them.
Supermarkets may not keep them as well as garden centres (by keeping em too warm) but if they are not wizen and don't have long sprouts you're ok.

Chitting first earlies is meant to give them a head start by "growing" when the ground isn't warm enough.

The ground temp now is probably warm enough  (depending on your area) to plant. So chitting at this time of year will probably not speed things up.

Black plastic of any time, will keep the weeds down, it also keeps the rain off. Potatoes are ~80% water and so need lots of it during the growing season especially when they are "bulking up" (around the time you see the flowers start)

Weed suppression is also acheived by earthing up (it disturbs the weeds) and the haulms which smoothers them.

So you have a choice:

Use black plastic and cut out the weeding but have to make sure water gets to every plant
Earth up and kill the weeds by you efforts (and if it's a dry summer - you may have to water - but not as much as with plastic)

Phil

[tim]

On this subject, have we had this one before?

http://www.ronnigers.com/HTML%20Pages/planting.html#top

[philcooper]

Tim,

It seems dodgy information to me, lots of typos.

The author does not understand chitting - talking about keeping the tubers warm  :o

He also says "Please handle them carefully when cutting and planting, leaving the sprouts on." and then "Place 1 tablespoon in a large paper bag, and toss the pieces around to cover them with dust" - a strange way to handle "carefully"  :o

The bit about alkaline soil producing scab is a popular myth, scab is a disease that is exacerbated by alkalinity  >:(

Their seeds must be quite small (<2oz) if you get 8 - 10' of row at 12" spacing. and expensive too at $12 for 2lb - At those prices, I think I'll start a business exporting seed to the USA.

Useful information on a few varieties that I didn't have though  :)

Phil