seed potatoes not chitting

[jubilado]

This is my first attempt at potatoes. Well actually its my first attempt at everything and not much is going right so far!

I bought the seed potatoes about 6 weeks ago. 3 different varieties from 3 different suppliers. I kept them in the shed and then 3 weeks ago took them out of the bags and placed them in egg cartons. One or two were already just starting to sprout. I left them in the shed in front of the window. The next day they were all damp, I assume because the shed is a bit damp but I dont know why as they had been in the shed for some weeks already! Anyway, assuming the damp wasn't helping I moved them to the greenhouse. Cool and plenty of light. Now 3 weeks later they all look dreadful. The few sproutings have dried up and some of the skins are a bit shrivelled. They remain quite firm.

I'm not sure what to do next. I'm tempted to throw them away and start again but without chitting. Just buy and plant immediately. Any help useful.

[veggiechicken]

I always chit mine in a cool bedroom! Not damp, neither too cold or too hot. No frosts.
Could yours have been frosted in the GH?

[jubilado]

I'm on the south coast. We've not seen a frost here yet. Do you think I should start again?

[WendyC]

I think VC is spot on, I think they have been frosted. Can you bring them indoors and see if that gets them going? If thy don't you might have to cut your losses and buy more. Without knowing where you are, and assuming UK based, you're not going to be planting out for quite a few more weeks yet so there's plenty of time. Potatoes don't have to be chitted before planting. Could be worth sacrificing one and cutting up to see what they look like inside.

[Martin H]

Could you take a picture?

[Scarlet]

I'm in the South West, we've had minus temps all week. I would always chit indoors, the coast is often warmer but I wouldnt chance it. I know cornwall has had had some very cold morning this week...where abouts are you?
I would buy new and chit indoors, it's much too early to plant out yet.

Great info on growing spuds here.......
http://jbaseedpotatoes.co.uk/info/he...ting-potatoes/
They say ........
"They do not require high temperatures, but should be kept in full light on a North facing window and free from extreme cold or frost."

[Lisasbolt]

Like VC, i keep mine inside, could you go down to local garden centre and can pick out some good ones yourself maybe ones that have slightly just started to sprout. Not important but if you are planning on cutting them up for more plants then it is good to see them chit to see where to cut. Good luck.

[Jungle Jane]

It would be good to see what they look like,you haven't mentioned white fungi growth or blackened areas? My shed got a bit damp recently,I had a box of feed on the shelf next to the window,it was extremely damp & collapsed but the box next to it was fine,just condensation. I'd bring the potatoes indoors on the windowsill see how growth develops,they would go rotten if they're bad?

[jubilado]

Many thanks to everyone who replied. I live in Gosport, near Portsmouth. Very mild by the sea. Here are a few pictures. No white fungi growth, they just look poorly. Hopefully you can see where the sprouts have stopped sprouting and gone dark. The pics don't show very clearly but there is some sign of life, just very slow. I've almost made up my mind to start again, but I'll probably keep these as well just to learn a bit more about the process

[Jungle Jane]

They look fine to me. To delay them chitting some people put them in the fridge,I think the overnight temperatures have done the same work as a fridge,2 weeks out of the fridge or indoors should see some growth.

[bramble]

They look fine to me. Give them a little more time, its still very early.

[Martin H]

They are fine. The chits will most likely develop over the next couple of weeks but even your ground and climate lets you plant them before that happens, they will still be fine. Remember that commercial growers plant unchitted potatoes!

[Greenleaves]

I concur with the others, look OK to me

[lottie dolly]

They look fine,lots of chits just starting,when i put mine to chit,i put the bit that was attatched to the original potato plant,down first,you get more chits on the oposit side,look at pic 3,see what i mean,

[Gillykat]

Mine look like that too - nowt to worry about