To chit or not to chit?

[alldigging]

Has anyone done yield experiements on chitting and not chitting?

Farmers wouldn't chit because planting a million with a tractor would result in the little chits being broken off.

I'm going to chit - mainly because there's a gap between when I buy them and when they'll be planted.

[Olorin2001]

I think chitting is one of those things that people do because it is in all the books and accepted practice.
I have tried both chitting and planting without chitting, and there's no difference in timing or size of crop.
When a potato shoot grows in the ground there are roots from that shoot before it emerges above ground, and it grows when it's ready, when temperature is right, like those tubers you missed at last years harvest.
With chitted tubers there is the risk of damaging the shoots when planting, so your extra careful so it take longer to plant chitted tubers.
I have also tried planting tubers in 3 inch pots, so your putting out an established plant once spring arrives.

[plotman]

Farmers dont chit because its not practical with mechanical sowing lol, Doesnt cost anything to chit and it has to get them off to a better start in my opinion

[plotman]

I find chitting definitely brings crop on earlier in my experience

[Aberdeenplotter]

Chitting - setting the potato up in full light results in small stubby sprouts developing instead of long brittle sprouts which can get tangled and are easily broken. It is a method of controlling the growth, not a method of advancing the cultivation. Potatoes will grow away perfectly well without having been chitted provided the soil temperature is high enough. Sprouts/chits will not develop if the spuds are kept in cold store as is the practice followed by farmers who plant their spuds mechanically. Do I chit? Depends on the weather and on how long I have to store my seed spuds.

[WPG]

I always chit my potatoes, it may not be necessary but I can't imagine not doing it. Last year I got my seed potatoes in early January, and due to the snowy Spring they were left chitting in egg boxes for over 3 months. Had a really good harvest, though not sure if the chitting was a factor.

[Dorothy rouse]

I always chit my potatoes, cos that what I thought you were supposed to do, but I do find it encouraging when they begin to grow shoots.

[plotman]

My name is Bill and I'm a chitter. You know how it is, I fell in with the wrong crowd and they were all chitting, before I knew it I was too. Can't stop now.

Its good you faced up to it mate. I fell in same trap. I found the best cure is to just chit every other tatter. Eventually just concentrate on little spuds. Before you know it you wont want that little white root anymore, Ive been off chitting 6 hrs now. Take each hour one at a time . Its not effected me at all

[plotman]

Advancing by chitting is inevitable, The roots are already developeing so its simple logic. I always chit and it certainly aids developement. Maybe yr using wrong technique

[planetologist]

I chit in the dark, pot up the chits, then eat the potato. I also grow a mix of varieties and have started including ones from true seed, so chitting like that allows me to take chits off the largest and best potatoes and therefore includes genetic selection without giving up any food.

[Martin H]

Nice idea, Planetologist. How long do you let the chits get before potting them up?