I've come to the conclusion that I'm a very sad human being. :-[ I find myself lurking everyday to see whether the postman is going to deliver my seed potatoes. ::)
I even phoned up to ask whether they were on their way. :o
Is this obsessive-compulsive or... ;D ;D
No, ive just done the same today too!!!! surely we cant both be mad!!!
And also .... twitch ... is this the right forum for discussing obsessive-compulsive behaviour? :-\ even if it does involve potatoes....
he he, im soo exited though, new year new crop, just hope the courgettes do better this year, terrible last year, ive got some mushroom compost a coming, so hope that helps.
Mine arrived this week. They're in a box in the garage for the moment, though. Chitting starts .... wait for it .... wait for it ... end of Jan. Well, call it the weekend of the 28/29th anyway. ;D
But for this weekend, I can be productive by planting 6 rhubarb crowns that we ordered with the spuds. :)
This will be the first year I've chitted potatoes (didn't last year cos I didn't know to ;D). I know about light and frost free so do people think that a cold greenhouse will do? Or do I need to commandeer the window sills again? I was hoping to get through to Spring without having that particular "discussion" with OH!! Also - sorry if this sounds stupid - but do people chit them on anything in particular? Newspaper, fleece, poppy paper - something to insulate them a bit?
Thanks for any help - Oh, and how soon can I start chitting for the lot going in at Easter?
I put mine in egg boxes and commandeer the worktop in the utility room.
Picked mine up from the lottie shop this morning. This seemed to be the best place to put them. I can keep an eye (no pun intended) on them whilst watching telly.
(http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/meggymoo/spuds.jpg)
I've got Pink Fir Apples, Arran Pilot, and some crazy purple ones called Vitolette
('scuse the cobweb - must do some dusting!!)
Didn't want to wait for the postman this year so bought mine from a local garden centre: Rocket, Nicola and Maris Piper. Now all chitting away nicely.
Eggboxes - brilliant idea!
MMMM got my egg trays off the market.....forgot to save egg boxes this year. you know you have so much clutter around but the egg man came to the rescue. He said they only throw them away. Had a look at Wilkinsons and they had run out of rocket will have to keep looking.
mmm ive asked this before will none to resolute answer really
im going to try anyway as you have to when trying to double ones seed, But i saw on telly once that they cut there potatos in half and some which then left two halves with a bit of root on either side has anyone tried this before ?
well ill experiment anyway with 3 types they been International kidney - Rocket (which i was pleased to see sprout also had some) and Maris piper so we'll see come the revolution
any comments welcome
carlos
Carloso, I assume you mean shoots on each side not root?. If you are talking about cutting tubers up into sections each with at least one shoot then yes it is a traditional way of making the most of seed potatoes and only seems to have largely vanished in recent times.
My father who had been a professional gardener always did it sometimes cutting tubers into three or four pieces. I think it is only as people have gradually got comparatively better off that the practice has rather died out.
Grawrc,
Perhaps I could recommend some cream?
Your topic title sounds like you need some ;D
Debs
thanks larkspur
im not been tight honest just trying out the things i always thought allotments where for and that main item been something for nothing lol
carl
I've done all mine! Couldn't wait ;D
This week you could say that I've been 'chitting through the eye of a needle' ;D
Sorry ... dreadful joke I know ....
Carl, go for it. You are following in a long tradition. :)
i fully intend to larkspur
im either goning to be able to feed the world or be very low on carbo hydrates lol
Hiya,
My first post. Weeeeeee.
I've just taken over an allotment plot and would like to start with some potatoes but I'm a bit unsure of this chitting thing. What conditions do I have to keep the seed potatoes in and for how long? Also when's the best time to plant them out?
I'd like to try a main and early crop by the way in different beds.
Cool light frost-free area. Start pretty soon. Plant out mid March depending on weather. Protect from frost.
Cutting seed potatoes into sprouting sections is still fairly common practice. The only drawback is possible infection. A dusting with anti-fungal powder (some even use talcom powder) and allowing it to 'scab' over before planting is a precaution.
Once the chitting has stopped ;D sorry - bad of me. Anyway once you have got some nice shoots I read on my potato barrel (which is where I am planting my potatoes this year) - as I an not a lucky lottie owner - yet!! - that you can start them at the end of February inside and before the barrel get too heavy can move it out in March - so you kinda get a jump start on the rest :P But then for those you are planting straight into the ground this won't help - Sorry :'( You'll just have to carry on 'chitting'