non chitted potatoes

[daisygrubber]

I have been doing lots of reading about the "to chit or not to chit debate" and as I have a bit of a time issue in that my seed potatoes haven't arrived yet I have decided to take a chance and not do it an see how I get on.

I have got "vivaldi" variety second earlies coming and advice seems to be to harvest with about 16 weeks growth.

Should I leave them a bit longer if they have not been chitted?

I also would like a bigger spud (as vivaldi in my opinion are the best jackets) so should I give them a few more weeks than the recommended to allow for non chiiting and larger size.

Thank you so much for any advice

[Kristen]

I dig up one plant when the prescribed time has elapsed and see how it looks. Depending on that I amy leave them a bit longer.

If you plant early, when the ground is colder, or light levels are lower / days are shorter, it will take more weeks to maturity then "normal".

If you want bigger spuds, for Jackets, then remove some of the eyes when planting. I have planted a few on the end of the row where I have only left one eye to try to get bigger spuds.

Leaving them longer will mean that the pin-prick sized spuds become bigger, but the bigger ones won't become "monsters" in my experience - what is needed for that is less crowding that you get from having fewer eyes.

[daisygrubber]

Thank you Kirsten for the advice

I will give the thing with the eyes a go. I am going to plant 3 containers full so I have a little room to experiment in my first year of growing.

Thanks and happy gardening.

[hamsterqueen]

I'm hardly ever organised enough to chit them, but don;t really see that much difference in years when I do. I just harvest them when they are ready. Just planted 30 containers - might have got a bit carried away

[daisygrubber]

Thank you hamsterqueen. I'm definitely giving it a go as soon as they arrive. I can't wait. I feel like a kid at christmas.

Is this normal behaviour for a 42 year old woman?

30 containers, never have too many I say lol.

[evenflow]

Thank you hamsterqueen. I'm definitely giving it a go as soon as they arrive. I can't wait. I feel like a kid at christmas.

Is this normal behaviour for a 42 year old woman?

30 containers, never have too many I say lol.

I feel like a kids at christmas every day in my garden and im 47 so you're not alone!!lol.
I wish id started GYO years ago, its so exciting!!

[mothhawk]

Thanks for starting this thread, daisygrubber, 'cos it's something I've wondered about. This is only the 2nd year I've grown potatoes (earlies, not a big enough garden for maincrop). My thought was that when spuds are commercially planted by machine out in the fields, they are not pre-chitted, surely? If they are, how do the farmers make sure the potatoes are the right way up?

[daisygrubber]

This was my thinking. I have read loads on this subject now and there seems not to be a consensus of opinion.

I have seen that if you do it then maybe only for the earlies. I was a bit late for them so have planted second earlies, but I bought them ready chitted from ebay (I didn't realise they would be) but will see how they go.

I will plant some later in summer for xmas harvesting without pre chitting and see how it goes.

[mothhawk]

Perhaps chitting is the equivalent of starting things off in pots (beans, peas, tomatoes etc) before planting out?

[daisygrubber]

Think thats it. I have planted chitted and non chitted runner beans to see if there is any difference. I will have to wait and see