seed potatoes/chittin

[compo49]

My allotment is in Mirfield west Yorkshire and i am newish to growing vegetables. I got my seed potatoes from my allotment society 2wks ago and put them in  egg cartons/seed nodules in my unheated g/house, as i have read on message boards etc they need a light/cool place to chit. we had frost just after that and when i went to the allotment to check them a couple of days later some of them were oozing fluid and then went soft. I figure its frost damage so moved them into my shed up there and covered them with fleece , those which are a bit damp do you     think they will dry out and be OK. I live in a small 1 bed bungalow and have no place to put them really , any ideas. PS they are not starting to chit yet ? All help wecome.  Thanks   :-\ Mal.

[compo49]

[betula]

Hi compo,I think I would be tempted to dump them.Don't like the sound of them oozing.I keep mine in a wooden box and egg cartons dotted around,this time of year it is hard to find room for everything.My husband objects to eating in a tiny gap surrounded by seed trays,Cant think why ;D ;D ;D

[Robert_Brenchley]

It sounds as though they got frosted in the cold weather, which is fatal. Chuck them in the compost, get more, and protect them if we get another cold snap.

[STEVEPARTRIDGE]

Unfortunately compo49, I would have to agree with the others in that they have been forst damaged and will not recover from that, you will have to get rid of them I'm afraid and get some new seed potatoes. Is it not possible to have them anywhere at home or even in a makeshift cold frame outside and then when we have a frost forecast you could easily bring them in at night save going to the allotment to cover them over with fleece, one thing to bear in mind as well is that the farmers do not chit their seed potatoes and if nothing else you could just plant them direct, best of luck, regards Steve.

http://www.myallotments.com

[manicscousers]

hiya, compo, welcome to the site, what rotten luck..what about on top of a wardrobe ?..wilkinson's still have some seed potatoes in at reasonable prices, are they all manky or can you save some ?   :)