Black shoots on seed potatoes; What have we done wrong?

[Herbsandveg]

My girlfriend and I successfully grew our first potatoes (Charlottes) in a 'tatie bag' last year, and they were just so wonderfully tasty that we were determined to try again this time round. We duly bought some new seeders, and put them in egg boxes, but have noticed that in both cases (ie at both our homes, twelve miles apart) the sprouts have turned a black/purple type colour, and we're wondering what we might have done that's so terribly wrong. My girlfriend reports a very slight tinge of green starting to edge its way out of the black, but we're both really quite worried that we've lost both of these batches. Both lots have been tried in egg boxes, and have been left on a windowsill. Are we meant to completely leave them in the dark or let them have a bit of light to 'reach out for?'...

[rustylady]

No, don't leave them in the dark - you'll just get long white brittle sprouts.

When we say use eggboxes, I think we mean egg trays or boxes with the lids removed or propped open.

Just been to double check mine and the sprouts are, as you say, a purply colour. That's fine. As long they haven't been frosted they will be fine.

[Thelma Sanders]

They should be in a cool and light position, so you're doing it right

I've just checked my Charlottes and they do indeed have dark purple chits

[redser]

Nothing wrong there, they are supposed to be that colour

[VirginVegGrower]

Are they a blue eyed spud? If so you get purple shoots and in some cases with green bits.

[Herbsandveg]

Are they a blue eyed spud? If so you get purple shoots and in some cases with green bits.

Hello again. They are Charlottes. Not sure what you mean by 'blue eyed'. Could you explain for me, please?

[Matt94]

Hello again. They are Charlottes. Not sure what you mean by 'blue eyed'. Could you explain for me, please?

The eye is just another name for the shoot coming from the potato - so when we say blue eyes are normal for charlottes, we are saying that the blue shoots/growth on you spuds are perfectly normal

[Herbsandveg]

The eye is just another name for the shoot coming from the potato - so when we say blue eyes are normal for charlottes, we are saying that the blue shoots/growth on you spuds are perfectly normal

I see......Forgive the play on words, but thank you for explaining...

[phil the shed]

don't you love a comment that's based around another load of old chit...............hee hee

[bearded bloke]

Ere yer go H&V a chitting Charlotte ............









And just for the heck of it,a hairy chitting Home Guard ......

[veggiechicken]

We can always rely on you BB - just when you need a chit

[VirginVegGrower]

Ere yer go H&V a chitting Charlotte ............




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And just for the heck of it,a hairy chitting Home Guard ......




[ATTACH=CONFIG]33975[/ATTACH]

Nice chits!

[bearded bloke]

Ah VC that would be because I am sitting in the very room where my spuds are chitting,with the camera on the desk & even got new batteries in & as they say... a picture is worth a lot of words

[bearded bloke]

Nice chits!

Chits before chips,always the best order of doing things VVG

[Herbsandveg]

I think you might have a long wait if you try to chit a chip!...