Potato PANIC!!!

[Sally]

I am seriously stressing over my potato crop this year. I brought some seed potatoes for my early and main crop and they are not 'chitting' well at all, I've got about 8 Adora potatoes from a 'eating sack' if you know what I mean, and they are going crazy with sprouts and need planting... What am I gonna do? Get some new seed potatoes as mine don't seem right at all - or give them time? Can anyone recommend a good cropper to do well in clay soil? Some advice would be very helpful as I'm worried I'll put loads of time and effort and get not spuds AARRR!

[allotmentlady]

Kestrel are good, go do you want me to send you some, got loads!

[Cutecumber]

Sally,

Where, and for how long have you been chitting your potatoes?

Did you buy them from a reputable supplier and do they otherwise appear healthy?

[Waffler]

I've also noticed mine seem slow to chit this year, though are just starting to have green tips on now. Mine are chitting where I always chit them: in the cold utility room and in the porch.

[gardenplot]

Some say that you don't need to chit them just plant them out ??

Chitting gives your potatoes a head start once they’re in the ground. (By that same token, if you’ve planted cover crops, you can keep them in the soil a bit longer while the potatoes are chitting.) And many people swear that their yields are heavier
To chit potatoes best kept in a cool light place in egg cartons, You want the end with the most eyes to be upward (the “rose end")

[Keep It Green]

Where have you put them to chit? Maybe the location / temp / light isn't right for them. Try and experiment to find the best location.

I'm sure they still have time to turn it around.

[Keep It Green]

I think I read some place not to bother to chit your main crop but fo earlies and seconds you should attempt to chit them.

[Nicos]

Sally........Slow the sprouting ones down by putting them in a cold ( frost-free), light place and DON'T worry about the non-chitters!!!!!
Spuds DON'T need chitting!!!!
I only chit mine because I buy a variety which is often sold -out and buy them early...and then they chit themselves.
I've accidentally chitted them in the netting bag they came in in the past and it's a right pain chopping up the net to get them untangled! Far easier to put them in egg cartons.

Won't be long before you'll be planting out....our previous plot was heavy clay and we used to plant out around the end of April.
We used to plant charlotte ( our favourite) - I understand they're not supposed to do well in clay, but ours were fine.

We are on wet peat now and hope to plant our spuds next weekend- or the following one. Looking at the past 4 years, the earliest we've planted out was the 4th April, and the latest 14th .
Just follow your instincts- if the soil is too wet to dig ( ie it sticks excessively to the spade) then it's too early to put spuds in!

[Flummery]

Just plant them Don't worry. Say a little mantra as they go into the warm earth - for example - "Grow you Beggar!" and all will be well. Trust me - I'm not a doctor. and above all DON'T PANIC!

[Sally]

Chitting Spuds

Thankyou everyone, your replies have been very very helpful. I think I have previously got a few things wrong - whoops.

1. They have been chitting in a semi dark shed, so I think they need more light to get going
2. Its very cold and they have been in thier (in the egg boxes) for over a month!

But I'm just going to put them in when the ground dries up enough, it really is very wet at the moment, if they don't need chitting I'm ready to go...

Thanks again!
Sally

[allotmentlady]

if you still want the kestrel just let me know :-)

[Farmer_Gyles]

Slow the sprouting ones down by putting them in a cold ( frost-free), light place

i read about putting them in a light cold place - but if that slows down the sprouting, how can we speed it up?

Spuds DON'T need chitting!!!!

thats good to know - so we can just put them in the ground whole? the books say to cut them into planting pieces with just 2 sprouts - does more than 2 or 3 sprouts cause problems? lower yields?

Looking at the past 4 years, the earliest we've planted out was the 4th April, and the latest 14th .

thats good to know - this is my first time with spuds and was getting worried they might be late ...

[HeyWayne]

Mine have been chitting for what seems like ages by the kitchen door. Some have gone a little wrinkly. I just wish the ground would dry up enough for me to plant them.

I think I'll plant them next weekend come hell or high water, I'm fed up waiting. That said, I might ven be able to get them in one night this week after work now that we have a little more "after hours" daylight.

Panic ye not.

[Flummery]

Wrinkly's not a problem - can you tell I'm 'a certain age'?

[Sally]

Hi Allotment Lady
Yes I would love some of your kestrel, I'm only worried now cos I brought mine from Wilkinsons (cringe) if you've got some to spare I would be very grateful!
Thanks
Sally