Allotments 4 All

Allotment Stuff => The Basics => Topic started by: Jeanbean on February 10, 2009, 07:56:52

Title: Are my potatoes ok?
Post by: Jeanbean on February 10, 2009, 07:56:52
Bit of advice please. I am chitting my Maris Piper spuds in my conservatory, temperature at about 12C. I have noticed that they seem to have a greenish tinge to them. :( Are they in the wrong place? Is it too warm? The other spuds also chitting in the conservatory seem OK. By the way it faces north- the conservatory- and at this time of the year doesn't get the sun- when it eventually shines.  ;D ;D
Title: Re: Are my potatoes ok?
Post by: daileg on February 10, 2009, 08:06:21
Hi Jeanbean

correct me if im wrong Maris piper are a main crop potato there is no need to chit them as the only spuds that need to be chitterd normaly is first earlies .
keep them in a cool dry light place .
Title: Re: Are my potatoes ok?
Post by: Jeanbean on February 10, 2009, 08:27:11
Thanks Daileg. I didn't know that maincrop didn't need chitting as I have only grown earlies before. I'll rescue them before I do too much harm.
Title: Re: Are my potatoes ok?
Post by: Flighty on February 10, 2009, 08:44:14
Chitting any seed potatoes is done to produce a heavier crop

http://www.gardeningdata.co.uk/vegetables/potatoes/potatoes.php#chitting

Title: Re: Are my potatoes ok?
Post by: daileg on February 10, 2009, 08:57:28
Soz i stand corrected then
Title: Re: Are my potatoes ok?
Post by: Jeanbean on February 10, 2009, 09:00:42
Thanks guys. I am such a novice at this. I was concerned that the pots were showing green and that I ahd them in the wrong temperatire.
Title: Re: Are my potatoes ok?
Post by: Barnowl on February 10, 2009, 10:24:22
Didn't the GW trial show that chitting 1st and 2nd earlies produced an earlier heavier crop but  chitting made little or no difference to main crop potatoes yield but they got to maturity earlier?
Title: Re: Are my potatoes ok?
Post by: artichoke on February 10, 2009, 10:40:16
Potatoes always go green in the light which is why we store them in the dark. It doesn't matter at all in potatoes you are going to plant. I chit everything as there seems no reason not to.
Title: Re: Are my potatoes ok?
Post by: Lauren S on February 10, 2009, 11:09:34
I would still like to put mine in an egg tray just to keep an eye out for rotten ones, even if they didn't need chitting  ::)
Title: Re: Are my potatoes ok?
Post by: Tee Gee on February 10, 2009, 13:16:23
If I have time I chit the lot and if not (which is rare) they still get planted.

Haven't noticed any appreciable difference either way!

This is my way when I do; http://www.thegardenersalmanac.co.uk/Data/Potato%20chitting/Potato%20chitting.htm (http://www.thegardenersalmanac.co.uk/Data/Potato%20chitting/Potato%20chitting.htm)

click on pictures to enlarge!