Not sure if I am expecting too much but its been almost 2 weeks now and altho the eyes seem to have got slightly bigger I think, no leggy bits yet. Is this ok? Or are they not in the right environment?
They are International Kidney if that makes any sense.
Barb
International Kidney potatoes are better known as Jersey Royals in the UK.
They are a specialist potato see here; http://tinyurl.com/2rwsgf and are a very early first early meaning they are not suited to many parts of the UK.
Having read this link I would guess that they might have had the 'chits' rubbed off prior to purchase, meaning the way you plant them will be the most important aspect now.
Sorry thats all I have to offer.
Hi Barbara, We did International Kidney last year and we almost gave up on them, as they didn't chit at all and looked horrible. However we put them in the soil and although they took a while, they did come up and were brilliant. We had quite a good crop and I thought they were tastiest potato I have every had. So we are doing them again this year for our first early.
Not a lot is happening to mine either at the moment, but after last year not a bit worried, and we live in the North East. They will go in during the Easter Weekend. Good luck with yours! :) busy_lizzie
here's a pic of mine, bought from Notcutts on 10th Feb
(am almost certain that Notcutts labelled them as 2nd early...)
been sat on top of the wardrobe in the bedroom ever since:
I've noticed a wide range in speed of chitting between varieties under exactly similar conditions, from the same supplier.
Anya went off like a rocket, and ironically enough Swift has been a little slower although the shoots are definitely developing. I can't remember my other varieties but they are also barely showing shoots.
If the soil's warm enough they'll grow - you could just bvung a few in and compare the resulting harvest
Aha that explains a lot!
Bizzie Lizzie, we too are north east ish - they are in the sun(ish!) in our bedroom but altho the room is mostly 18C we have no heating in there other than us two at night ;D
And Norfolklass, mine look exactly like yours so I am not going to worry!
Now, when should I plant out? Would easter be too late?
Barb
Quote from: Tee Gee on March 13, 2007, 16:16:51
Having read this link I would guess that they might have had the 'chits' rubbed off prior to purchase, meaning the way you plant them will be the most important aspect now.
Don't worry BG 2 weeks is no time at all.
If the warmish weather continues and you want early potatoes, then plant them withour sprouts, chitting is a way of starting the growing the process without having to put the tubers in the ground and therefore gain a bit of time if the weather is bad.
TG that's a very discouraging bit of infromation which is very probably untrue. Potatoes don't have chits they have sprouts, the process of encouraging sprouting by setting them up, eyes uppermost in a coll well lit place is called chitting.
Phil
There wer inverted commas, Phil?
Phil, like anyone else on this forum I come in here to share my experience and learn from others experiences including yours and I take what you say on board.
Having said that I would like to point out the following and this is not to have a go at you but only to allay any confusion.
Regarding; TG that's a very discouraging bit of infromation which is very probably untrue.
1) I did not know what International Kidney potatoes were so I did a web search and found that they were 'Jersey Royals' at the same time I obtained the information I wrote, meaning! the information I imparted was not my view, and as I had no reason to doubt it I passed it on.
2)Potatoes don't have chits they have sprouts, the process of encouraging sprouting by setting them up, eyes uppermost in a coll well lit place is called chitting
I agree with with you say, but as gardening is not an exact science and different localities (regions) can have there own way of naming/describing the same process it can get confusing and thats why I take your opinion on board and taking the time to make this reply.
In my area what you call sprouts are known as chits! and in other areas International Kidney potatoes are Jersey Royals.
For the benefit of all I hope this clarifies the issue, if not? then this is the RHS's description; http://tinyurl.com/247kj4
I point out their description 'seed tubers are best 'chitted' or sprouted.
So even the RHS make reference to sprouting & chitting
So I hope this clarifies both our points of view.
What I meant was discouraging (to a newbie) and probably untrue was the bit about the chits being rubbed off as once the sprout/chit is rubbed out the eye will not produce another. Planting a tuber which has no eyes is therefore doomed to failure. You can usually see if the sprout has been removed by the scar.
I was throwing in the rest as information for the readers to do what they will with
The trouble with emails is that when you try to produce a short one it is easily misunderstood and you can't see the poster or see his/her face. The use of smileys can help
I am torn between writing extremely long emails and not saying anything so as not to offend ;)
Phil
To kick the backside out of the subject you raise and also put it to rest, as I post nearly every year, International Kidney is the variety which, when grown in Jersey, can be legally sold as Jersey Royals. If you're not selling them you can call them what you will!
Just to play devil's advocate- what you've written, Phil, is usually called a "post" or "posting" rather than an email! You say tomato....... ;D
Touché :D
I know what you mean Phil when you say;
I am torn between writing extremely long emails and not saying anything so as not to offend
This is why mines tend to be so long!!
Plus I have re-read the first paragraph of my posting and yes it was written a bit heavy handidly.
My apologies.
TG
BarbaraGood mine sound about the same as yours, but all my seed potatoes and doing about the same just purple stubby bits.