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Produce => Edible Plants => Topic started by: Mrs Ava on February 21, 2005, 11:02:01

Title: Anya spuds
Post by: Mrs Ava on February 21, 2005, 11:02:01
Quickie.  Half of my Anya seed spuds are very long and sprouting top, bottom and sides!  When planting time comes, would it be okay to cut them in half, 2 for the price of 1?
Title: Re: Anya spuds
Post by: Debs on February 21, 2005, 11:16:29
Have heard this mentioned as possible but would not like to be

certain.

Why not give it a go with a few, to see what happens (in the interests

of 'scientific research' ) ;D

Debs
Title: Re: Anya spuds
Post by: redimp on February 21, 2005, 12:25:35
I am pretty sure that you should be OK.  I seem to remember seeing Alan Titchmarsh do this to most of his seed potatoes nearly doubling the number of plants he grew.
Title: Re: Anya spuds
Post by: Merry Tiller on February 21, 2005, 17:54:17
Yes, it's fine to cut them up
Title: Re: Anya spuds
Post by: Lady Cosmos on February 21, 2005, 18:14:09
Yes, you can cut the seed potatoes in big chunks that have 2 or 3 eyes in each part.
Each piece should weigh at least 2-4 ounces and must have 2 or more eyes. Do NOT cut immediately before planting, but 1 day to heal is needed.
Title: Re: Anya spuds
Post by: tim on February 21, 2005, 18:54:13
Aha!! Since Anya are so small, I would say don't be greedy!! Let 'em be.
Title: Re: Anya spuds
Post by: Lady Cosmos on February 21, 2005, 20:34:51
Last year I even cut my black ones, because they had many good eyes. Good not resist to try. Worked out fine.  The size of the uncut seed potatoe: not even 2 cm each ( but this black potatoes is very, very small) May be I was lucky ;D
I think if the potatoe is firm,  looks healthy, has more than 2 eyes, and the anya is not too small, give it a go....
Title: Re: Anya spuds
Post by: philcooper on February 22, 2005, 09:56:31
There's good advice here.

If you are going to cut them the let the cuts heal - ie fully dry before planting. If in doubt sprinkle with sulphur powder.

The cutting will reduce the numebr of stems per tuber and hence tend to give fewer, but larger, tibers per planted piece.

Phil
Title: Re: Anya spuds
Post by: Mrs Ava on February 22, 2005, 10:07:38
Thanks for that everyone.  Most of my anya seeds are whoppers, I was really suprised when I received them, and they really are covered in sprouts, so much so it is hard to tell which way is up!  I won't cut them all, only the big ones, as Debs said, purely for scientific allotment research!  ;D
Title: Re: Anya spuds
Post by: philcooper on February 22, 2005, 10:23:08
Up is the direction the sprouts grow!!  ;D
Title: Re: Anya spuds
Post by: tim on February 22, 2005, 10:41:52
 'Fewer but larger'? Yes - but I like my salad pots small!