Cutting large seed potatoes

[Jimmy]

My Charlottes just arrived from T&M
One is the size of a jacket spud.
I seem to remember in some old gardening book that you can cut large seed potatoes in half providing both halves have shoots.
Is this true and do you need to coat the ends with anything.
Thanks
Jimmy

[Bren In Pots]

Jimmy here's an older thread, hope this helps :-

https://www.growfruitandveg.co.uk/gr...oes_92384.html

[Jimmy]

Thanks
Jimmy

[Jimmy]

The website said 1kg 16 - 18 potatoes.
So I have emailed them about only 13.
I will see what they say!
Jimmy

[Thelma Sanders]

The same thing happened to me with Arran Pilots, I only got 9 seeds. Mind you, I do think their estimate of 16-18 potatoes in a Kg pack is very optimistic
I wouldn't have complained if I'd got 13...

They said they are going to send me another pack, but they must run out of stock pretty soon, if they do that for everyone

[Penellype]

16-18 potatoes to 1kg seems very optimistic to me. I normally buy 2kg packs and get about 25 potatoes on average (anything from 18 to 30 usually). This year I decided to buy 1.5kg bags on the internet as 2kg of the same variety is rather too many. They arrived today and contained 17 (Charlotte), 17 (Desiree) and, err... 32 (Nicola). The Nicola are small, but they will grow.

With regard to cutting in half, I've done this with big seed potatoes, and just planted the halves as they were and they grew perfectly well. You just have to make sure that there are some shoots showing on the half that was originally joined to the plant.

[SarrissUK]

Yes, cutting them in half is not going to be a problem. Keep chopping them Jimmy

[Jimmy]

They are sending another pack.
Now to find where to put them.
Jimmy

[Jimmy]

I bought a pack of international kidney in the pound shop.
There were 8 in the pack but they were quite small
Jimmy

[4Shoes]

Yes, cutting them in half is not going to be a problem. Keep chopping them Jimmy

No problem with cutting them. Let the wound dry and they will be fine.

If they have lots of sprouts, no harm going a bit smaller... But now you have extra bag, you'll have no problem.

Many a time spent on a potato dresser (riddle). Just your Donald Duck. Our top cut went off for bakers or chippers.

[bramble]

I bought a 2 kilo pack of Pentland Javlin...27 seed potatoes.
A 2 kilo of Charlotte had 28 seed potatoes.
About half of them were large enough to cut in half.
Bought them in B & Q. €5 per pack.

[Mr H]

I'd love to grow Charlotte potatoes - we eat so many of them, but I've never grown a potato before.

Where do you all normally buy from? - guess I can't by a pack from the supermarket and just plant them.

[SarrissUK]

I tried a Charlotte type from a supermarket last year and they must've been sprayed with something that stops them growing, cause they came to absolutely nothing! Months later, I hoiked them out of the tub and had them for tea.... the same ones that I'd put in!

I buy most of my seed spuds from Wilko. Can't really argue with their prices and they've always done well for me

[Jimmy]

My replacements from T&M arrived today. Only 12 this time. But with original 13 I should have enough.
Jimmy

[Stan79]

I cut mine in half or thirds every year unless they're really small. As long as they have a chit on them, they should grow. Just need a cool, dry place to let them dry. I use egg boxes (or preferably the large trays you get in bulk catering boxes!) so the air can get around them.

Mr H - just google "seed potato" and take your pick. Loads of online stores to choose from and you can't really go wrong.