how do you grow cut up potatoes?

[Eden]

Hello there, ages ago a friend asked me how to do this - I'd never heard of it so posted a question on here and came up trumps! I'd love to give it a go, I want to dedicate almost half my allotment to spuds but oooo the price of seed potatoes!! Can someone tell me exactly how to do it? Do I let the tubers chit, then cut in half prior to planting, and which way up should the cut side go, or do I cut them before chitting to allow the cut half to dry up before planting?
Many thanks
Eden

[momol]

I read it before somewhere, you have to look for the eyes first once found, cut the potatoes with around 3 eyes on / per piece ( each piece has 3 eyes). you do this 3 or 4 days before their planting time ( I presume they are beginning to chit at that stage). Once cut, let them cure for 3 or 4 days ( just let the open cut area dry by it self) and then ready to plant.
And you could also use the potatoes peel, it will grow too but don't peel it too thin !

Hope it help,
Momol

[Eden]

Brilliant! Thank-you!

[The Doctor]

The oldies in my family have always said it's better to let them chit first, because then you know which eyes are growing when you cut them.

also, make sure the cut edges have dried nicely before planting them tio cut down the chance of infection.

I've also been told these days not to cut them at all, and just use whole ones. Yet another thing to try, and then make your own mind up about!

[Snadger]

Not very helpful I know but............have you ever noticed how big the tatties are that the farmer plants? Not hens egg size I assure you! More like goose egg size!

When asked why, a local farmer replied, "Big tatties, big crop"

[Eden]

So, do you think it's not worth cutting them in half then? And using whole ones, why is that? I lost all my potatoes this year on my allotment - the ground went so boggy just after I planted them with all that rain that only half came up, then the other half did grow, then they all rotted aswell. I bought 4 packs at about 4 quid each and got nothing for it!!
I was wondering if the 2 half of potatoes would produce the same amount of spuds as an uncut one? Ooooo I'm all confused now!!

[Snadger]

So, do you think it's not worth cutting them in half then? And using whole ones, why is that? I lost all my potatoes this year on my allotment - the ground went so boggy just after I planted them with all that rain that only half came up, then the other half did grow, then they all rotted aswell. I bought 4 packs at about 4 quid each and got nothing for it!!
I was wondering if the 2 half of potatoes would produce the same amount of spuds as an uncut one? Ooooo I'm all confused now!!

I personally wouldn't cut them Eden and in your case I would grow them either in containers or raised beds!

[Flummery]

I never cut them either - whatever the size. I think this practice started during the war. You get more potato plants but I don't know whether you actually get a higher overall crop. You also take the chance that disease and rot can get in through what is in effect a huge wound. I think your problems this year were due to the dreadful weather conditions Eden. Many farmers (who do nothing else but grow spuds) also lost their crops. I think Snadger's idea of raised beds or containers to control the drainage is far better. Anyway - we'll probably have a drought next year!

[Eden]

I've got a new plot now and the ground is much much better than the old one, it's been very well cultivated and should be ok. I have always grown spuds in buckets, my partner would get soooooo annoyed at my sea of buckets in the garden, usually about 30!! I've always had fantastic results from buckets and the kids love tipping them over and 'digging for gold'!! I also grew them under plastic one year with brilliant results - huge spuds but a real hidey hole for slugs, the spuds were well nibbled! I was hoping that I could lower the cost of my seed potatoes - because they are a bit pricey!!

[milliebecks]

Is it called 'chiselling' - cutting seed pots into more than one piece?
I've heard the old guys talk about it, but thought it was a Wiltshire thing

[Flummery]

Growing cut up potatoes is one thing. If you can grow chips and mash you've really cracked it!

[muckman]

I think you can grow spuds from peelings, Don't think they'l be very big though

[Snadger]

I think you can grow spuds from peelings, Don't think they'l be very big though

Apparently in Ireland they used to eat the spuds and plant the peelings!